Bill > SB0470

This bill establishes the "Protecting Tennessee Schools and Events Act," which creates a pilot grant program to help local education agencies (LEAs) in distressed or at-risk counties purchase portable walk-through metal detectors for schools. By July 1, 2025, the Tennessee Department of Education will award grants to eligible LEAs, with the intent of providing each qualifying school district up to three metal detectors at a maximum cost of $16,000 per device. The bill specifies detailed requirements for these metal detectors, including their ability to process at least 25 people per minute, accommodate wheelchairs, have adjustable sensitivity settings, provide visual and audible alerts, and operate for at least six hours on a single battery charge. LEAs must use a competitive procurement process that prioritizes vendors offering additional safety features like visitor management and integration with access control systems. The vendors will be required to provide on-site training and collect aggregate data on the metal detectors' usage, which will be reported annually to the department and legislative committees. The data collection will focus on trends and outcomes while strictly adhering to student privacy laws, with the goal of assessing the effectiveness of these devices in enhancing school safety. Importantly, the bill notes that actual fund allocation is contingent on specific appropriation in the general appropriations act.

Budget and Finance, Education

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0470&ga=114