Education, Curriculum - As enacted, establishes a pilot program that provides grants to local education agencies to advance substance abuse and violence prevention programs. - Amends TCA Title 49. Companion bill has been, the official text

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State f/Jmnessee

                            PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 1058

                                                     SENATE BILL NO. 821

                                       By Hensley, Bowling, Crowe, Pody, Rose

                                            Substituted for: House Bill No. 902

  By Renea Jones, Butler, Barrett, Alexander, Maberry, Tim Hicks, Cepicky, Hawk, Raper, Farmer,
                 Capley, Davis, Pearson, Reneau, Eldridge, Terry, Wright, Bricken, Hakeem

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to education.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 10, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:

                    (a) As used in this section, "substance abuse and violence prevention program"
          means a program or series of programs that:

                              (1) Equips students with knowledge, skills, and resilience for healthy living and
                    strong decision-making;

                              (2) Fosters long-term resilience against substance use, mental health
                    challenges, and preventable disorders by engaging families and communities as
                    active partners in student development;

                              (3) Includes a series of lessons that address the risk and protective factors
                    associated with youth substance use and violence;

                              (4) Is age and developmentally appropriate for the age and maturity level of
                    the student receiving the instruction;

                              (5) Aligns with the coordinated school health program guidelines developed by
                    the commissioner of education, in consultation with the department of health,
                    pursuant to§ 49-1-1002;

                              (6) Includes drug prevention-related education that promotes anti-drug norms
                    and teaches drug-refusal skills and life skills training that foster the development of
                    personal self-management skills and general social skills; and

                              (7) Is provided to students throughout the school year.

                    (b) The department of education shall administer a three-year pilot program to
          provide grants to three (3) LEAs to advance the LEA's substance abuse and violence
          prevention program to avoid tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drug use by students. The pilot
          program begins in the 2026-2027 school year and terminates on July 1, 2029.

                    (c) To receive a grant through the program, an LEA must:

                              (1) Have an existing substance abuse and violence prevention program for
                    students; and

                              (2) Submit a grant application to the department on a form created by the
                    department by the application deadline established by the department.

                    (d) Each LEA that receives a grant pursuant to this section shall:
SB 821
                              (1) Instruct students in grades three through twelve (3-12) on avoiding

                    tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs by implementing a substance abuse and violence
                    prevention program;

                              (2) Prepare a report on the effectiveness of the LEA's substance abuse and
                    violence prevention program, including the instruction provided to students through
                    the program, for the immediately preceding school year; and

                              (3) Submit the report prepared pursuant to subdivision (d)(2) by June 30,
                    2027, for the 2026-2027 school year and by June 30 of each subsequent school year
                    that the pilot program is in effect, to the department of education, the department of
                    mental health and substance abuse services, the department of human services, the
                    chairs of the education and health and welfare committees of the senate, the chair of
                    the committee of the house of representatives having jurisdiction over education, the
                    chair of the committee of the house of representatives having jurisdiction over health,
                    and the chair of the committee of the house of representatives having jurisdiction over
                    insurance.
                    (e) The amount of a grant awarded to an LEA pursuant to this section must not
          exceed thirteen thousand three hundred dollars ($13,300).
          SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

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         SENATE BILL NO. 821

PASSED:  April 23, 2026

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                         SPEAKEROF1

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                         CAMERONSEXTON,SPEAKER

                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APPROVED this :);}..w). day o f ~        2026

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                     BILL LEE, GOVERNOR