Laws Impacting Tennessee Public Schools To Go Into Effect July 1, 2022

Tennessee Republican lawmakers this year approved a variety of new laws impacting Tennessee's public schools that will go into effect July 1 — the beginning of the new fiscal year.

Expanding human trafficking training in schools: 

A new law, sponsored by Senator Todd Gardenhire will require all school employees to be trained to detect and prevent human trafficking of children. Previously, only teachers were required to take the training. Under this new law, all personnel that aren't contractors, including bus drivers, janitors or cafeteria workers, will be required to undergo the same human trafficking training as teachers every three years. It ensures other staff will have the training to know how to identify abuse and report it.

Protecting children from inappropriate content:

Another new law that takes effect July 1 ensures vendors that contract with schools to provide internet services comply with state law prohibiting pornography and obscene materials from school computers. Sponsored by Senator Mike Bell, the legislation requires vendors to take steps to block any inappropriate content on school computers. If a provider fails to comply with the new law, then a LEA may withhold further payments to the provider and ultimately consider non-compliance a breach of contract.

The law also requires each local board of education to establish a mechanism for parents to report a failure of the technology selected by the LEA to prevent access to harmful materials, and submit an annual report to the State Board of Education on the successes or failures of the technology.