Rep. Scott Cepicky

Maddy summaryHouse Resolution 22 honors Carolyn Keysaer, the 2025-2026 Virtual Academy Teacher of the Year, for her dedication to education in Tennessee. The resolution, adopted unanimously by the Tennessee House of Representatives, formally commends her service and recognizes her as an exemplary educator. It is a ceremonial tribute with no legal effect, directly affecting only the honoree through public recognition.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HR 35), not a bill with policy changes. It honors Devin Staggs, a teacher at Culleoka Unit School (Grades 9-12), for being named the 2025-2026 Culleoka Unit School Teacher of the Year. The Tennessee House of Representatives passed the resolution unanimously to recognize his dedication to education and his positive impact on students. It does not create new laws or affect any policies.

Maddy summaryHB 1195 requires Tennessee school districts (local education agencies or LEAs) to post their existing character education curriculum on the district's public website. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49, Section 49-6-1007(c), adding the specific requirement for online publication. The law directly affects all public school districts in Tennessee by mandating transparency about their character education programs. It does not change curriculum content but ensures parents and the public can access current materials online.

Maddy summaryHB 1196 requires the Tennessee State Board of Education to publish the curriculum for the statewide DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) program on its official website. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, to add this transparency requirement. The key provision mandates that the state board make the DARE curriculum publicly accessible online, directly affecting the State Board of Education's reporting obligations. The bill does not change the DARE program itself but ensures its curriculum is available for public review. It takes effect upon becoming law.

Maddy summaryHB 1230 amends Tennessee law (TCA § 49-2-136) to change how the Department of Education reports on compliance with foster care student athletic participation rules. It requires local education agencies and public charter schools to submit reports only when requested by the Senate or House education committees, rather than annually. This change streamlines reporting by eliminating the annual requirement, focusing instead on committee-driven documentation of schools' adherence to notice rules for foster youth seeking interscholastic athletics. The bill does not alter the underlying requirement for schools to notify athletic associations about foster care placements.

Maddy summaryHB 709 requires local school boards in Tennessee to notify the state education department when they designate their district as "high performing." The department must then maintain a public list of these districts on its website. This bill directly affects local school boards and the state education department by creating a new reporting requirement and transparency mechanism. The key provision is the mandatory notification and online listing, which aims to provide clear public information about high-performing districts. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49, Section 49-2-703.

Maddy summaryHJR 65 is a Tennessee House Joint Resolution urging the U.S. Congress to pass the SCREEN Act, which would require age verification for online pornography to protect minors. It also calls on Tennessee to enforce its Protect Tennessee Minors Act and the U.S. Department of Justice to prioritize enforcing federal obscenity laws. This non-binding resolution, introduced in January 2025 and withdrawn in February 2025, does not create new laws but expresses legislative support for measures to restrict minors' access to online pornography. It references statistics about minors' exposure to online porn and the lack of enforcement of existing federal obscenity laws.

Maddy summaryHB 710 would change the Tennessee Higher Education Commission's annual deadline for publishing the postsecondary education fact book from May 1 to June 1. This procedural adjustment directly affects the Commission's reporting schedule, requiring them to release the fact book one month later each year. The bill does not alter educational programs, funding, or student eligibility, only shifting a publication timeline. The change would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted.

Maddy summaryHB 13, introduced in Tennessee for the 2025 legislative session, requires all public school districts and charter schools to create and publish policies banning student use of wireless devices (like phones, tablets, or laptops) during instructional time. Exceptions include teacher-approved educational use, emergencies, health management, or if a student’s special education plan (IEP) or 504 plan permits it. Schools must also allow teachers to temporarily confiscate devices for policy violations. The bill was withdrawn before passing and never took effect.

Maddy summaryHB 63 creates Tennessee's HOPE pilot program to support homeless families and those at risk of homelessness. It requires the Tennessee Housing Development Agency to establish county-level facilities with health clinics, classrooms, and child-safe spaces, offering four staged support levels - from basic needs like ID assistance and emergency shelter to permanent housing with job training and educational support. The program partners with local nonprofits, streamlines ID documentation using facility addresses, and expires in 2030. It applies only to counties with 100,000-101,000 residents per the 2020 census.