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TennesseeHB 1188114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to discrimination in educational institutions.

Sponsored By: Rusty Grills (Republican)

Became Law

Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.

Civil rights coordinators and reporting

By July 1, 2025, the state education department must name a Title VI coordinator for K–12 schools. Each public college must name its own Title VI coordinator. Schools must report antisemitic incidents and complaints to their coordinator. Coordinators must investigate, notify schools in writing if violations are found, and schools have 60 days to fix problems. If not fixed, the coordinator reports to the attorney general and reporter, and must file a yearly antisemitism report by June 30 to the attorney general and reporter and the General Assembly.

No discrimination in Tennessee public education

The law bans discrimination in public schools and colleges based on race, ethnicity, national origin, sex, or religion. Students cannot be excluded or denied program benefits, and employees cannot be denied jobs or job benefits for these reasons. Admissions rules cannot limit access by race, ethnicity, national origin, or religion. All classes and programs must be open to all students, with allowed programs for English learners, gifted students, students with disabilities, or special talents. Guidance, counseling, and financial‑help services must be provided the same way to every student.

Stop antisemitic harassment in schools

Public schools and colleges must prohibit antisemitic harassment and discrimination against students and employees. They must add the law’s definition of antisemitism to their conduct and anti‑discrimination rules and enforce protections consistent with Title VI and federal guidance. Schools are encouraged to offer antisemitism awareness training and Jewish American Heritage lessons; these are optional.

Campus speech rules and safeguards

Schools must set reasonable time, place, and manner rules for speech to keep order and protect students’ rights. Criticism of Israel, similar to criticism of any other country, is not antisemitic under this law. The law must be applied consistent with the First Amendment and Title VI and cannot reduce free‑speech rights.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Rusty Grills

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Scott Cepicky

    Republican • House

  • Jeremy Faison

    Republican • House

  • Debra Moody

    Republican • House

  • Jay D. Reedy

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 203 • No: 34

House vote • 4/7/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/7/2025

Yes: 79 • No: 11

House vote • 4/7/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/7/2025

Yes: 73 • No: 22

House vote • 4/7/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/7/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/7/2025

Yes: 30 • No: 1

House vote • 4/1/2025

HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Yes: 15 • No: 0

House vote • 3/18/2025

HOUSE EDUCATION ADMINISTRATION SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 293

    4/28/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 04/24/2025

    4/28/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/24/2025

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    4/16/2025House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/14/2025Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/10/2025House

  7. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/8/2025House

  8. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0232)

    4/7/2025House

  9. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/7/2025House

  10. Passed H., as am., Ayes 79, Nays 11, PNV 1

    4/7/2025House

  11. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/7/2025House

  12. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/7/2025Senate

  13. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/7/2025Senate

  14. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0276)

    4/7/2025Senate

  15. Passed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 1, PNV 1

    4/7/2025Senate

  16. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/7/2025

    4/3/2025House

  17. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/3/2025

    4/2/2025House

  18. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

    4/1/2025House

  19. Placed on cal. Education Committee for 4/1/2025

    3/26/2025House

  20. Action def. in Education Committee to 4/1/2025

    3/25/2025House

  21. Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/25/2025

    3/19/2025House

  22. Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Education Committee

    3/18/2025House

  23. Placed on s/c cal Education Administration Subcommittee for 3/18/2025

    3/12/2025House

  24. Action Def. in s/c Education Administration Subcommittee to 3/18/2025

    3/11/2025House

  25. Placed on s/c cal Education Administration Subcommittee for 3/11/2025

    3/5/2025House

Bill Text

  • HA0232 (Substitute)

    4/7/2025

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0276

    PDF

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