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TennesseeHB 2533114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 5, Chapter 21; Title 8, Chapter 50, Part 8; Title 49, Chapter 10, Part 1; Title 49, Chapter 10, Part 14; Title 49, Chapter 11, Part 1; Title 49, Chapter 11, Part 8; Title 49, Chapter 13; Title 49, Chapter 15, Part 1; Title 49, Chapter 16, Part 2; Title 49, Chapter 17; Section 49-2-203; Title 49, Chapter 3, Part 1; Title 49, Chapter 5, Part 4; Title 49, Chapter 50, Part 10; Title 49, Chapter 50, Part 16; Title 49, Chapter 50, Part 18; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 10; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 15; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 22; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 23; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 30; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 34; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 42; Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 81; Title 49, Chapter 1, Part 2; Title 49, Chapter 1, Part 3 and Section 68-204-110, relative to education.

Sponsored By: William Lamberth, William (Republican)

Became Law

Education

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

14 provisions identified: 6 benefits, 1 costs, 7 mixed.

Key student and teacher protections stay firm

Beginning July 1, 2026, the education commissioner cannot waive core protections. These include civil rights; health and safety; records and confidentiality; immunizations; weapons bans; background checks; special education and due process; parental rights; testing and accountability; open meetings; educator due process; pay protections; employee pay and benefits; and staff licensure.

No new IEA-to-ABLE contributions

Beginning July 1, 2026, parents cannot use a student’s IEA funds to make new contributions to an ABLE account. Money already moved into an ABLE account before that date may stay, but it must be used only for the student’s education expenses and only if the student qualifies under ABLE rules.

School start date set to August 1

Beginning July 1, 2026, public schools do not start before August 1. A local board or charter governing body may, by majority vote, adopt a year‑round or other calendar. Any change must follow the state’s attendance policies. Families can plan summers with a clearer default start date.

Stronger school background checks, simpler vendor steps

Beginning July 1, 2026, schools, public charters, college training schools, and child care programs adopt background‑check policies. Any vendor who signs or renews a contract that involves direct contact with kids or access to sites when kids are present must complete the required checks. If Tennessee joins the FBI Rap Back program, these entities may use it to get ongoing criminal‑history alerts. When an employer clears one worker, that clearance counts at other covered sites while the same worker stays with that employer. DHS‑funded child care programs may use the DHS background‑check law instead of the education statute.

Virtual school caps with performance exceptions

Starting July 1, 2026, an LEA’s public virtual schools together cannot enroll more than 1,500 students. If the LEA had a public virtual school on January 1, 2026, the cap equals its 2025–2026 virtual enrollment instead of 1,500. An LEA may go over the cap if every virtual school in the LEA meets the 'at expectations' growth level on TVAAS. Adult high schools that teach online under § 49‑6‑409(b) are not counted under this cap.

Textbook review links and fair pricing

Starting July 1, 2026, publishers must give public links to textbooks they submit for adoption, and the commission posts them online. Textbook contracts use Attorney General‑approved forms signed by the commission. Each contract must state that prices do not exceed prices offered elsewhere.

Independent education commission and board

Beginning July 1, 2026, the State Board of Education and the named commission get only administrative support from the Department of Education. They remain independent and keep all legal powers. The commissioner cannot supervise them. References and website duties shift to the commission, and the department helps only when asked.

More parity and flexibility for charter schools

Starting July 1, 2026, places in law that applied only to LEAs now also apply to public charter schools and their governing bodies. Directors of public charter schools may submit certain waiver requests, and one clause removing 'approved by the commissioner' streamlines a named waiver step.

Schools must probe antisemitism locally first

Beginning July 1, 2026, when an LEA or public charter school gets a complaint of antisemitic discrimination or harassment, the local Title VI coordinator investigates first. The investigation follows state procedures and local policies before reporting incidents to the state Title VI coordinator.

Search training and broader seizure medications

Beginning July 1, 2026, the Education Department sets or approves a training program for school searches. Only designated staff who finish the training may conduct searches. The law also updates language so schools may use 'an anti‑seizure medication,' not just diazepam gel, for students who need it.

Leave counts and staff due‑process rights

Beginning July 1, 2026, licensed teachers and school staff on paid or unpaid leave are treated as full‑time for a named service rule. Reimbursement requests tied to leave must reach the department in the same fiscal year the leave occurred. Employees at certain special schools get the same rights to challenge job actions as LEA employees.

State can take over school finances

Starting July 1, 2026, the Comptroller may remove a county education department from the county financial system after a hearing if records, accounting rules, or reports are not met. The Comptroller notifies the county. The county legislative body must transfer enough funds so the director of schools can keep financial services running during removal.

Technical updates to education code and timelines

Effective July 1, 2026, several technical changes take effect. 'Career and technical education' is retitled 'college, career, and military readiness.' One deadline is fixed at October 31, and one school‑year reference shifts to 2027–2028. A board reference changes 'secretary' to 'member.' Several subsections and sections are repealed and removed from law.

Tutoring and camp funds: no supplanting

Beginning July 1, 2026, money for after‑school mini‑camps, bridge camps, and summer learning camps must first fund those camps. Any remaining money may pay for the required tutoring. These funds must supplement, not replace, other funds for programs outside the regular school day.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • William Lamberth, William

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Mark Cochran, Mark

    Republican • House

  • Dawn White, Dawn

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 176 • No: 9

Senate vote • 4/22/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/22/2026

Yes: 30 • No: 0

House vote • 4/21/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026

Yes: 77 • No: 8

House vote • 4/16/2026

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/14/2026

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 29 • No: 0

House vote • 4/8/2026

HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

House vote • 3/30/2026

HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE

Yes: 11 • No: 0

House vote • 3/25/2026

HOUSE EDUCATION COMMITTEE

Yes: 13 • No: 1

House vote • 3/10/2026

HOUSE K-12 SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 7 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 1040

    5/27/2026

  2. Effective date(s) 07/01/2026

    5/27/2026

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/21/2026

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    5/11/2026House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    5/5/2026Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/30/2026House

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

    4/28/2026House

  8. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/22/2026Senate

  9. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/22/2026Senate

  10. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0529)

    4/22/2026Senate

  11. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - SA0809)

    4/22/2026Senate

  12. Passed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 0

    4/22/2026Senate

  13. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0876)

    4/21/2026House

  14. Passed H., as am., Ayes 77, Nays 8, PNV 1

    4/21/2026House

  15. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/21/2026House

  16. Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee

    4/14/2026House

  17. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/14/2026

    4/14/2026House

  18. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/16/2026

    4/14/2026House

  19. Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    4/8/2026House

  20. Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/14/2026

    4/8/2026House

  21. Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/8/2026

    4/1/2026House

  22. Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

    3/30/2026House

  23. Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee

    3/30/2026House

  24. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Government Operations Committee

    3/25/2026House

  25. Placed on cal. Government Operations Committee for 3/30/2026

    3/25/2026House

Bill Text

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