Education - As enacted, prohibits excusing a student from school to attend a released time course in religious moral instruction during the school year unless certain criteria are met. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 2; T, the official text

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        Sfa:te ef J ennessee

                            PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 401

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 1332

                                                         By Harshbarger

                                            Substituted for: House Bill No. 1281

                                                           By Hill, Moody

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 2; Title 49, Chapter 5 and Title 49,
          Chapter 6, relative to released time courses.

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

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-2-130, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection:

                    (i) In addition to the requirements in subdivisions (b)(1)-(9), and notwithstanding
          subsection (h), before excusing a student from school to attend a released time course:

                              (1) The independent entity must identify each released time course instructor,
                    as well as any other person holding a position with the independent entity requiring
                    proximity to students participating in a released time course;

                              (2) Each released time course instructor for the independent entity, as well as
                    any other person holding a position with the independent entity requiring proximity to
                    students participating in a released time course, must:

                                         (A) Submit to a criminal history background check prior to the beginning
                              of the 2025-2026 school year or prior to becoming a released time course
                              instructor or holding a positionwith the independent entity requiring proximity to
                              students participating in a released time course and at least every five (5) years
                              thereafter; and

                                         (8) Release the results of the individual's criminal history records check
                              to the independent entity for examination for purposes of verifying that the
                               individual has not been convicted of an offense listed in§ 49-5-417(a); and

                               (3) The independent entity must certify to the LEA in writing that:

                                         (A) Each released time course instructor for the independent entity, as
                              well as any other person holding a position with the independent entity requiring
                               proximity to students participating in a released time course, has complied with
                               the requirements in subdivision (i)(2); and

                                         (B) No released time course instructor for the independent entity, or any
                               other person holding a position with the independent entity requiring proximity
                               to students participating in a released time course, has been convicted of an
                               offense listed in§ 49-5-417(a).

          SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public Welfare requiring 'it, and applies to
released time courses for the 2025-2026 school year and each school year thereafter.
         SENATE BILL NO. 1332

PASSED:  Apri I 16, 2025

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                                                      RANDY•...._...__ , __ .
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                             SPEAKER OF TH

                          CAMERON SEXTON, SPEAKER
                          HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

ft_ ~ APPROVED this                                   2025
         day of

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                         BILL LEE, GOVERNOR