All Roll Calls
Yes: 121 • No: 8
TennesseeSB 0298114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, relative to the nonsectarian, nonreligious study of the Bible.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Education, Curriculum
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Families get online Bible course details
Beginning July 1, 2025, with the 2025–2026 school year, Tennessee’s Department of Education must post Bible-course information online. It must list districts and public charter schools offering courses approved through the local approval process. It must also post the Bible-course academic standards approved by the State Board of Education. Districts and public charter schools must post their locally developed, locally approved Bible-course curricula and lists of instructional materials.
School Bible electives get new rules
Effective July 1, 2025, for the 2025–2026 school year onward, locally developed Bible courses need school board or charter governing-body approval and must meet state course requirements. Courses approved by Tennessee’s Department of Education before July 1, 2025, do not need this local approval. The State Board of Education must list a qualifying Bible elective among approved high school courses; schools are not required to offer it. By July 1 each year, the department must tell districts and public charter schools in writing that they can offer state-funded Bible electives and create their own curriculum. These courses study the Bible academically, without religious instruction or a denominational focus, and the law extends existing district Bible-course rules to public charter schools.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Paul Rose
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 4/15/2025
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/15/2025
Yes: 82 • No: 8
Senate vote • 4/15/2025
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/15/2025
Yes: 31 • No: 0
Senate vote • 3/12/2025
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE
Yes: 8 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 07/01/2025
5/13/2025Pub. Ch. 314
5/13/2025Signed by Governor.
5/2/2025SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
4/22/2025SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/21/2025HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/21/2025SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
4/17/2025SenatePassed H., Ayes 82, Nays 8, PNV 2
4/15/2025HouseAm. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0231)
4/15/2025HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
4/15/2025HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
4/15/2025SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 31, Nays 0, PNV 1
4/15/2025SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0200)
4/15/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/15/2025
4/14/2025SenateSenate Reset on calendar for 4/15/2025
4/14/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/14/2025
4/11/2025SenateSenate Reset on calendar for 4/14/2025
4/9/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/9/2025
4/7/2025SenateSenate Reset on calendar for 4/9/2025
4/7/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/7/2025
4/4/2025SenateSenate Reset on calendar for 4/7/2025
4/3/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/3/2025
4/1/2025SenateSenate Reset on calendar for 4/3/2025
3/31/2025SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/31/2025
3/28/2025SenateSponsor(s) Added.
3/17/2025Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
HA0231
Introduced
SA0200
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