Rep. Kirk Haston

Maddy summaryHB 1001 would allow high school students pursuing a career and technical education (CTE) focus to replace up to four required course credits (chemistry, computer science, world language, and Algebra II) with CTE course credits toward their high school diploma. The bill requires the Tennessee State Board of Education to authorize this substitution for eligible students. It directly affects CTE students who want flexibility in meeting graduation requirements without changing the total credit count. The policy would take effect July 1, 2025, if enacted. This is a substantive change to graduation requirements, not a procedural measure.

Maddy summaryHB 90 amends Tennessee's school accountability system to require the Department of Education to include career readiness assessment scores (like industry certifications or vocational tests) alongside college readiness tests (like ACT/SAT) when calculating school grades. It directly affects Tennessee high schools and seniors who take both types of assessments, mandating that schools use only the student's highest score from either test for grading purposes. The bill ensures schools consider both career and college readiness metrics equally, preventing schools from relying solely on one test type. This change applies to school grades issued for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HJR 284) that commends the Lobelville Middle School Hornets boys' basketball team for winning the 2025 James C. Haile State Basketball Tournament Class A championship. It formally honors the team's achievement of remaining undefeated and defeating Allardt Middle School 53-37, while listing all participating players. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it is purely symbolic recognition by the Tennessee General Assembly. It was signed into law by the Governor on March 19, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1091 shortens the timeframe for Tennessee's Department of Children's Services to review temporary childcare licenses. It reduces the deadline from 90 days to 80 days after a temporary license is issued, requiring the department to determine if providers comply with regulations before granting permanent licenses. This directly affects childcare providers operating under temporary licenses who need to transition to permanent status. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law related to childcare licensing procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 1238 creates a new Division of Early Child Care and Education within Tennessee's Department of Education by December 31, 2026. The division will directly manage state and federal early childhood programs - including voluntary pre-K, Head Start, the Child Care Development Block Grant, and programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act - and oversee a unified system for child care licensing and quality standards. Key provisions include standardizing licensing rules to reduce regulatory burdens while maintaining safety, implementing a quality rating system for programs, and establishing community input mechanisms like local planning grants. The bill also requires a transition plan with an advisory council to develop this system, with final implementation due by 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 841 creates the "Promising Futures Early Learning Scholarship Program" using excess Tennessee lottery revenues to provide scholarships for high-quality early learning programs. It directly affects Tennessee families with children aged six weeks or older who attend qualifying early learning programs, expanding access beyond current low-income eligibility limits. The bill establishes a dedicated fund that will receive 100% of unused lottery proceeds starting July 2025, with scholarships capped at $4,500 annually per child. Scholarships require programs to meet evidence-based quality standards measured by specific classroom assessments, and the program will operate via a streamlined online application portal administered by the Department of Education.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes how the state comptroller calculates whether a utility system is financially struggling by excluding the depreciation of assets bought or finished in the last year. Under the new rules, the comptroller cannot count these recent assets as a financial burden when making this determination, provided the utility's board votes to approve the change. The law also requires the state department to create guidelines ensuring that municipalities receiving financial aid set user rates high enough to cover all costs, including debt payments. These updates apply to various sections of the state code governing utilities and utility districts.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the issuance of temporary teaching permits in Tennessee by prohibiting their use for physical education and special education courses. It also requires the state commissioner to evaluate specific factors, such as staff availability and timing, before granting a temporary permit for classes that require end-of-course exams. These changes apply to permits issued for the 2024-2025 school year and all subsequent years, affecting school districts and charter schools in the state.

Maddy summaryThis law requires Tennessee high schools and charter schools to offer nationally recognized career readiness assessments to graduating seniors starting in the 2023-2024 school year and continuing in all future years. The bill expands a previous mandate that was originally limited to a single academic year by making the requirement permanent for every subsequent school year. Local education agencies and public charter schools must ensure these assessments meet specific criteria established by the state to be eligible for administration. This change ensures that all high school graduates have access to standardized tests designed to measure their readiness for college or the workforce.

Maddy summaryThis bill changes the annual deadline for schools in Tennessee to submit safety plans under the Schools Against Violence in Education Act. Instead of being due on October 1, the new requirement sets the deadline for December 1, starting with the 2024-2025 school year. The change applies to all public schools and school districts that must report their violence prevention strategies to the state.