Bill > SB0303

This bill allows local school boards and governing bodies of public charter schools in Tennessee to display historical documents in a prominent location within each school building, such as an entryway, cafeteria, or common area, where students are likely to see them. Specifically, schools can choose to display the Ten Commandments, the first sentence of the second paragraph of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence, and the preamble to the United States Constitution, with the intention of educating students about their historical significance and influence on common cultural heritage. If the Ten Commandments are displayed, a specific text is mandated, and the display must be in a font size of at least twenty-six points, making it easy for students to read. The bill also encourages donations for these displays and grants local boards and charter school governing bodies the authority to decide on the size and placement of these exhibits. This legislation takes effect on July 1, 2026, and applies to the subsequent school year and beyond.