Bill > SB2207

This bill establishes a Safe School Design Advisory Board to develop recommendations for safe school design guidelines for Local Education Agencies (LEAs), which are public school districts, and public charter schools in Tennessee when they build or renovate K-12 facilities. The board will consist of representatives from the departments of education, safety, the state fire marshal, the office of the state architect, and members with expertise in school design and facilities, appointed by various commissioners. The board's recommendations will cover a range of safety considerations, including building security, fire safety, emergency preparedness, access control, communication with first responders, and design strategies that promote student well-being and resilience, and these recommendations will be submitted to the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance by January 1, 2027, with annual reviews thereafter. Importantly, the board's meetings are exempt from open meeting laws, though public notice is required, and the recommended guidelines themselves are not considered public records and can only be shared with government entities, notwithstanding existing public records laws.