AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to the School Safety and Mental Health Act.
Summary
SB0905 creates and names the "School Safety and Mental Health Act" and amends Tennessee education law to require every local education agency (LEA) and public charter school to employ at least one full-time licensed professional school counselor for each school. The bill also directs the Tennessee School Safety Center to administer a school safety infrastructure grant program.
Under the grant program, LEAs would apply for funds by explaining how the money will improve school safety infrastructure, how the project aligns with needs identified in a school security assessment, and, where applicable, how it will support LEA-authorized charter schools. To receive funding, an LEA must be in compliance with all state school safety laws, rules, and regulations. The program is subject to appropriations, and any unused funds would carry forward for future program use.
Impact
The bill would add a new statewide staffing requirement for public schools and charter schools by mandating at least one full-time licensed professional school counselor per school. It would also expand the responsibilities of the Tennessee School Safety Center by authorizing it to run a school safety infrastructure grant program, establish application requirements, and distribute appropriated funds to eligible LEAs. The measure affects LEAs, public charter schools, school counselors, and the state agency responsible for school safety funding and oversight.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to reflect a generally supportive policy approach toward school safety and student mental health by pairing counseling staffing requirements with infrastructure funding. The absence of recorded discussion makes it impossible to identify the level of consensus or any formal vote pattern.
Contention
The main potential points of contention are likely to be the cost and feasibility of requiring one full-time licensed counselor at every school, especially for smaller districts or charter schools that may face staffing shortages or budget constraints. Another likely issue is the grant program’s reliance on appropriations, which could limit implementation if funding is insufficient. Compliance with existing school safety laws as a condition for grant eligibility may also raise questions for LEAs that need assistance most but are not yet fully compliant.