Bill > SB1332

This bill amends Tennessee law to establish new safety requirements for released time courses, which are educational programs where students are excused from school to attend classes taught by independent entities. The legislation mandates that any instructors or staff from these independent entities who have direct contact with students must undergo a comprehensive criminal background check conducted by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) before the 2025-2026 school year and every five years thereafter. The independent entities must identify all instructors and staff who interact with students, submit them for background checks, and release the results to verify that none have been convicted of specific offenses outlined in Tennessee Code § 49-5-417(a). Additionally, these entities must provide written certification to the local education agency (LEA) confirming that all instructors and staff have completed the background check process and do not have disqualifying criminal convictions. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to released time courses for the 2025-2026 school year and subsequent years, with the primary aim of enhancing student safety by screening individuals who work closely with students in these alternative educational settings.