Bill > HB1701

This bill requires each Local Education Agency (LEA), which refers to public school districts, and public charter schools in Tennessee to install and maintain video camera surveillance systems in special education classrooms to enhance student safety. These systems must continuously monitor students, teachers, and staff while special education or related services are being provided, but only after obtaining written consent from the parents of a majority of the students in that classroom. The bill defines "parent" broadly to include guardians and those with legal custody or caregiving authority, and "special education classroom" as a setting where most students receive special education services for at least half of the instructional day. Photographs or video footage collected can only be viewed by the parent of a student featured in the recording, and only in compliance with privacy laws like the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA). Local school boards and charter school governing bodies must create policies detailing how long this footage will be kept. The bill takes effect for policy development immediately upon becoming law, and for all other purposes, it will be implemented starting July 1, 2026, applying to the 2026-2027 school year and subsequent years.

Education

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1701&ga=114