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TN HB1005

TN HB1005
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to student discipline.


summary

Introduced
02/05/2025
In Committee
02/10/2025
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead

Introduced Session

114th General Assembly

Bill Summary

As introduced, prohibits local education agencies and public charter schools from suspending or expelling a student enrolled in any of the grades pre-K-2 unless the student's behavior endangers the physical safety of others; authorizes local education agencies and public charter schools to suspend such a student for such behavior for no more than three days if certain measures are taken before the student is suspended. - Amends TCA Title 49.

AI Summary

This bill modifies Tennessee's student discipline policies for young students in pre-kindergarten through second grade (pre-K-2), establishing new restrictions on suspensions and expulsions. Under the proposed legislation, local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools cannot suspend or expel students in these early grades except when their behavior directly endangers the physical safety of other students or school personnel, as determined by the school's director. If a student's behavior is deemed to pose such a safety risk, the school may suspend the student for up to three days, but only after taking specific preliminary steps. These steps include providing an opportunity for the student's emotional state to stabilize and requiring school personnel (such as a teacher, principal, counselor, or psychologist) to have a conversation with the student and their parent or guardian about the behavior and potential underlying issues. Additionally, the school principal must notify the student's parent or legal guardian on the same day the suspension occurs. The bill will take effect upon becoming law and will apply to the 2025-2026 school year and subsequent school years, aiming to create a more supportive and less punitive approach to disciplining very young students.

Committee Categories

Education

Sponsors (1)

Last Action

Taken off notice for cal in s/c Education Administration Subcommittee of Education Committee (on 03/18/2025)

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