Legislation

As introduced, prohibits the state textbook and instructional materials quality commission from recommending or listing, the state board of education from approving for local adoption or from granting a waiver for, and LEAs and public charter schools from adopting or using textbooks and instructional materials or supplemental instructional materials that promote, normalize, support, or address lesbian, gay, bi-sexual, or transgender issues or lifestyles.

As introduced, requires the state textbook and instructional materials quality commission to provide a copy of the commission's proposed textbook and instructional materials list to the general assembly.

As introduced, prohibits a parent or guardian of a student who has accumulated five or more days of unexcused absences during the school year from withdrawing the student from school during the school year except for certain circumstances.

As introduced, prohibits an LEA or public charter school from knowingly entering into an agreement with an individual or entity that performs abortions, induces abortions, provides abortion referrals, or provides funding, advocacy, or other support for abortions.

As introduced, expands, from Madison County to all counties, the application of the existing recall process for school board members.

As introduced, establishes that assault against a sports official while the official is officiating a sporting event is a Class E felony or Class A misdemeanor, depending on the nature of the assault.

As introduced, extends eligibility for an education savings account to students zoned to attend a school in an LEA that, at any time during the three-year period immediately preceding September 1, 2025, or thereafter, did not offer students 180 days of in-person learning each school year due to COVID-19 or that voluntarily imposed a mask mandate in response to COVID-19 and that voluntarily refused to allow parents and guardians to opt their students out of the mask mandate.

As enacted, deletes several obsolete provisions and makes various substantive changes to education laws; establishes parameters for the teaching of certain concepts related to race and sex.

Education, Curriculum - As enacted, requires an LEA or public charter school to notify a student's parent or guardian prior to commencing instruction of a sexual orientation or gender identity curriculum; permits a parent or guardian to excuse the parent's or guardian's student from a sexual orientation or gender identity curriculum, and prohibits the LEA or charter school from penalizing an excused student. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 13.

SB1229 has been assigned Public Chapter Number 281 by the Secretary of State.

As enacted, requires that a student's gender for purposes of participation in a public middle school or high school interscholastic athletic activity or event be determined by the student's sex at the time of the student's birth, as indicated on the student's original birth certificate.

As enacted, enacts the "Teacher's Discipline Act," which establishes requirements and procedures for teachers to discipline students in the teachers' classrooms, including relocation of a student.