Bill > HB0793

This bill amends Tennessee law to give local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools the discretionary authority to refuse enrollment to students who are not legally present in the United States. Specifically, the bill adds a new provision to Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 30 of the Tennessee Code that explicitly states these educational institutions may choose to enroll or decline to enroll students who are unlawfully present in the country, regardless of any conflicting existing laws. The legislation provides schools with expanded latitude in making enrollment decisions based on a student's immigration status, effectively allowing them to deny educational access to undocumented students. The bill would take immediate effect upon becoming law, with the stated justification that it serves the public welfare. This proposed legislation represents a significant policy change that could potentially limit educational opportunities for undocumented students in Tennessee.