AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to student discipline.
Summary
HB1005 would limit the use of out-of-school discipline for very young students in Tennessee public schools and public charter schools. For students in pre-kindergarten through grade 2, the bill prohibits suspension or expulsion unless the student’s conduct endangers the physical safety of other students or school personnel, as determined by the local education agency (LEA) director or charter school director. If that safety threshold is met, the bill allows a suspension of no more than three days.
Before any suspension under this exception, the student must first be given time to calm down and then have a conversation involving the student’s teacher, principal, school counselor, or school psychologist and the student’s parent or legal guardian about the behavior and any underlying issues. The principal must notify the parent or guardian of the suspension on the same day it occurs. The bill takes effect upon becoming law and applies beginning with the 2025-2026 school year.
Impact
The bill would amend Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 34 by creating a new section that narrows when LEAs and public charter schools may suspend or expel students in pre-K through grade 2. It would override existing discipline authority in § 49-6-3401 for this age group, replacing broader suspension and expulsion options with a safety-based exception and a short maximum suspension period. The practical effect would be to shift early-grade discipline toward intervention, parent contact, and counseling rather than exclusion from school.
Sentiment
Based on the bill text and the absence of recorded committee discussion or votes in the provided materials, the bill appears to reflect a reform-oriented approach to student discipline, especially for very young children. Its structure suggests support for limiting harsh punishments and encouraging de-escalation and family engagement before suspension. No contrary viewpoints are documented in the provided record, so the available context does not show active opposition or amendment debate.
Contention
The main point of potential contention is the restriction on school discipline discretion for pre-K through grade 2 students. Supporters would likely view the bill as protecting young children from overly punitive responses and encouraging behavioral intervention, while opponents may argue that schools need broader authority to address disruptive conduct and maintain classroom safety. Another likely issue is the bill’s reliance on a director’s determination that behavior endangers physical safety, which could raise questions about consistency, local control, and how narrowly the safety exception is applied.