Local Education Agencies - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee Religious Freedom Act," which authorizes a local board of education to open a meeting of the board with a prayer led by a member of the board as long as the pr
Introduced
Moved
Reached a final decision
Became law
Derived from the official record below.
Officially: “AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to education.” Read the full text
114th general assembly (2025-2026)
What it does
Local Education Agencies - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee Religious Freedom Act," which authorizes a local board of education to open a meeting of the board with a prayer led by a member of the board as long as the prayer does not require participation of any person in attendance at the meeting and no person is harassed or coerced to participate in the prayer. - Amends TCA Title 49. Companion bill has been assigned Public Chapter Number 710 by the Secretary of State.
From the official legislative record, shown verbatim. Not legal advice.
Where it is
Show all 42 actions
Filed for introduction · Jan 22, 2026
Senate
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration · Feb 2, 2026
Senate
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee · Feb 5, 2026
Senate
Sponsor(s) Added. · Feb 12, 2026
Senate
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/4/2026 · Feb 26, 2026
Senate
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee · Mar 4, 2026
Senate
Sponsor(s) Added. · Mar 5, 2026
Senate
Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 3/9/2026 · Mar 6, 2026
Senate
Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0 · Mar 9, 2026
Senate
Sponsor(s) Added. · Mar 9, 2026
Senate
Engrossed; ready for transmission to House · Mar 9, 2026
Senate
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk. · Mar 12, 2026
House
Subst. for comp. HB. · Mar 30, 2026
House
Passed H., Ayes 86, Nays 0, PNV 7 · Mar 30, 2026
House
Enrolled and ready for signatures · Apr 1, 2026
Senate
Signed by Senate Speaker · Apr 1, 2026
Senate
Signed by H. Speaker · Apr 2, 2026
House
Transmitted to Governor for action. · Apr 2, 2026
Senate
Signed by Governor. · Apr 14, 2026
Senate
Pub. Ch. 710 · May 5, 2026
House
Effective date(s) 07/01/2026 · May 5, 2026
House
Filed for introduction · Jan 21, 2026
House
Intro., P1C. · Jan 22, 2026
House
P2C, ref. to Education Committee · Feb 2, 2026
House
Assigned to s/c Education Administration Subcommittee · Feb 2, 2026
House
Sponsor(s) Added. · Feb 11, 2026
House
Placed on s/c cal Education Administration Subcommittee for 2/17/2026 · Feb 11, 2026
House
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Education Committee · Feb 17, 2026
House
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/3/2026 · Feb 25, 2026
House
Action def. in Education Committee to 3/10/2026 · Mar 3, 2026
House
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/10/2026 · Mar 4, 2026
House
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/10/2026 · Mar 5, 2026
House
Action def. in Education Committee to 3/17/2026 · Mar 10, 2026
House
Sponsor(s) Added. · Mar 10, 2026
House
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/17/2026 · Mar 11, 2026
House
Action def. in Education Committee to 3/24/2026 · Mar 17, 2026
House
Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/24/2026 · Mar 18, 2026
House
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee · Mar 24, 2026
House
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026 · Mar 25, 2026
House
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/30/2026 · Mar 26, 2026
House
Comp. SB subst. · Mar 30, 2026
House
Sponsor(s) Added. · Mar 30, 2026
House
The numbers
9
sponsors on the bill
Sponsors
Recorded votes
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules CommitteeHouse · 2026-03-24 · Passed · Ayes 17, Noes 1
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Education CommitteeHouse · 2026-02-17 · Passed · Ayes 6, Noes 0
Roll-call results shown verbatim from the Tennessee legislature’s records. A result reflects that roll call’s own motion, not the bill’s overall outcome.
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record. Last action: Sponsor(s) Added. (Mar 30, 2026).