AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to education.
Summary
SB0011 makes a narrow change to Tennessee education law by amending Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-1-208. The bill deletes the second sentence of that section and replaces it with language stating that the Department of Education must make the relevant form available on the department’s website. In practical terms, the measure appears to shift the form’s availability from a more limited or unspecified distribution method to an explicit online posting requirement.
The bill is effective July 1, 2025, and applies within Title 49, which governs education. Because the text only changes how a department form is made available, it does not appear to create a new program, funding mechanism, or regulatory scheme; instead, it updates administrative procedure and public access to an existing form.
Impact
The bill amends a single provision in Tennessee’s education code to require the Department of Education to post a form on its website. This affects the department’s administrative duties and may improve public access for schools, parents, educators, or other stakeholders who need the form. It does not appear to alter substantive eligibility rules, penalties, or rights beyond the method of access to the form.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests generally favorable committee sentiment, with the Senate Education Committee recommending passage by a 6-2 vote and no recorded abstentions. No committee transcript is available, so there is no detailed discussion of support or opposition. The vote indicates the bill had majority support, though not unanimous support, in committee.
Contention
The main point of contention appears to be limited and procedural rather than ideological: whether the Department of Education should be specifically required to post the form online. The 6-2 committee vote suggests some members had reservations, but without transcripts the exact objections are not known. Any disagreement likely centered on administrative burden, implementation details, or whether the statutory change was necessary.