AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to the School Safety and Mental Health Act.
Summary
HB0953 creates the “School Safety and Mental Health Act” and makes two main changes to Tennessee education law. First, it requires each local education agency (LEA) and each public charter school to employ at least one full-time licensed professional school counselor for each school. This establishes a staffing floor for school counseling services across public schools and charter schools in the state.
Second, the bill directs the Tennessee School Safety Center to administer a school safety infrastructure grant program. The Center must create an application process requiring LEAs to explain how grant money will improve school safety infrastructure, align with needs identified in a school security assessment, and, where applicable, support LEA-authorized charter schools. Only LEAs that are in compliance with all state school safety laws, rules, and regulations may receive funds, and any appropriated money not spent in a fiscal year must carry forward for future program use. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
The bill would amend Title 49 of the Tennessee Code by imposing a new staffing requirement for public schools and charter schools and by creating a new state grant program for school safety infrastructure. It would affect LEAs, public charter schools, school counselors, and the Tennessee School Safety Center, while tying grant eligibility to compliance with existing school safety requirements. The measure is subject to appropriations, so its fiscal impact depends on future funding decisions.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee discussion or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to be framed as a school safety and student support measure rather than a controversial policy change. Its stated purpose suggests generally favorable intent around improving school safety and mental health resources. However, no formal vote history or transcript is available here to show whether lawmakers raised concerns about cost, staffing feasibility, or implementation.
Contention
No committee transcripts or vote records were provided, so there is no documented debate to identify specific points of contention. Potential areas of concern, based on the bill’s structure, could include the cost of requiring one full-time licensed counselor per school, the availability of qualified counselors, and whether LEAs would be able to meet the compliance conditions for grant eligibility. The grant program’s dependence on appropriations could also raise questions about funding stability and distribution.