Bill > SB0836

This bill amends Tennessee education law to give local education agencies (LEAs, which are essentially school districts) and public charter schools the explicit legal authority to refuse enrollment to students who are not legally present in the United States. Specifically, the bill adds a new section to Tennessee's education code that allows these educational institutions to choose whether to enroll or deny enrollment to undocumented students, regardless of any existing laws that might suggest otherwise. The bill provides schools with discretionary power to make enrollment decisions based on a student's immigration status, effectively creating a legal pathway for schools to deny education to children who are in the country without legal documentation. The legislation would take effect immediately upon becoming law, with the stated justification that it serves the public welfare. This bill represents a significant potential change in educational access for undocumented students in Tennessee, potentially limiting their ability to attend public schools.