Tennessee House Bill HB0861

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/4/25
• Refer: 2/6/25
• Refer: 2/18/25
• Refer: 3/11/25
• Engrossed: 3/27/25
• Enrolled: 3/28/25
• Passed: 4/11/25
• Chaptered: 4/28/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 10 and Title 49, Chapter 6, relative to special education.

Summary

HB0861 amends Tennessee’s special education laws to require local education agencies (LEAs) to give parents or guardians advance notice before an Individualized Education Program (IEP) team meeting. Unless the parent or guardian and LEA mutually agree to an earlier meeting under State Board of Education rules, the LEA must notify the parent or guardian at least 10 calendar days before the meeting so they have an opportunity to attend. The bill also requires LEAs to provide key documents before the IEP meeting. At least 48 hours in advance, the LEA must give the parent or guardian a copy of the student’s evaluation report used to determine special education eligibility or develop the draft IEP. If the LEA prepares a draft IEP before the meeting, it must also provide that draft to the parent or guardian at least 48 hours before the meeting, unless the parent or guardian waives that right in writing more than 48 hours before the meeting.

Impact

The bill adds new procedural requirements to Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49, Chapter 10, affecting how LEAs conduct special education meetings and communicate with families. It strengthens parental access to information and participation in the IEP process by setting minimum notice and document-disclosure timelines, while allowing earlier meetings by mutual agreement and permitting parents to decline receipt of a draft IEP. The law applies statewide to public school systems and special education administrators.

Sentiment

The bill appears to have been broadly supported and noncontroversial in the legislative process. It advanced unanimously through the House Education Administration Subcommittee and the House Education Committee, and then passed the House overwhelmingly on third consideration with only one dissenting vote. The voting pattern suggests strong bipartisan agreement around improving parent notice and transparency in special education.

Contention

There is little evidence of major opposition in the available record. Any potential point of contention would likely concern the added administrative burden on LEAs, the timing requirements for scheduling IEP meetings, or whether the mandated disclosure of draft IEPs and evaluation reports could limit flexibility in the special education process. However, the recorded votes show no meaningful organized resistance, and the bill’s mutual-agreement exceptions appear designed to address concerns about rigidity.