Education, Curriculum - As enacted, beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, requires each LEA and public charter school to, as part of the social studies curriculum, present a civics instructional video approved by the, the official text

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                        ~tate -of \leennessee

                           PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 629

                                                  HOUSE BILL NO. 2395

   By Representatives Reneau, Cepicky, Maberry, Barrett, Fritts, Bricken, Lynn, Powers,
                                            Terry, Lafferty, Sparks, Bulso

                                       Substituted for: Senate Bill No. 1953

                 By Senators Lowe, Bailey, Bowling, Crowe, Hensley, Reeves, Rose

          AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 1 and Title 49, Chapter
6, relative to social studies education.

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

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-2202, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection:

                    (i)

                              (1) The commission shall recommend to the state board of education for
                    approval at least one (1) civics instructional video for purposes of§ 49-6-1029 no
                    later than February 1, 2027. The commission shall not create or request an
                    individual or entity to create a video for purposes of this subsection (i). A civics
                    instructional video recommended or approved pursuant to this subsection (i)
                    must:

                                        (A) Be historically accurate and devoid of political advocacy; and

                                        (8) Include information about:

                                                  (i) The Declaration of Independence, specifically the
                                        preamble to the Declaration of Independence, and the meaning
                                        behind and purpose of the quote, "We hold these truths to be self-
                                        evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by
                                        their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are
                                        Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness"; and

                                                  (ii) The religious affiliation and moral beliefs of the founding
                                        fathers involved with the Articles of Confederation and the
                                        Constitutional Convention.

                              (2) After reviewing one (1) or more cIvIcs instructional videos
                    recommended for approval by the commission, the state board shall approve at
                    least one (1) civics instructional video that meets the requirements in subdivision
                    (i)(1) by July 1, 2027.

                              (3) A civics instructional video recommended or approved pursuant to this
                    subsection (i) is considered a supplemental instructional material.

          SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 10, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:

          49-6-1029.

                    Beginning with the 2027-2028 school year, each LEA and public charter school
          shall, as part of the social studies curriculum, present a civics instructional video
          approved by the state board of education pursuant to § 49-6-2201 (i)(2) at least once to
          students in grades six through eight (6-8) and at least once to students in grades nine
          through twelve (9-12).
HB2395
          SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-2201 (h)(9)(B), is amended by

deleting the subdivision and substituting:
                    (B) Except as provided in § 49-6-2202(i), this part does not prohibit the use of, or

          apply to, supplemental instructional materials.
          SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-2201 (I)(2)(A)(ii), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting:

                    (ii) Except as provided in § 49-6-2202(i), this part does not prohibit the use of, or
          apply to, supplemental instructional materials;
          SECTION 5. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-2202(b)(3), is amended by
adding "subsection (i) and" after "Except as provided in".
          SECTION 6. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

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         HOUSE BILL NO. 2395

PASSED:  March 9, 2026

                                           CAME1'0N SEXTON, SPEAKER
                                          HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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                                                           RANDY. "CNALLY
                                                SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

d APPROVED this lotL day of OOCA.Kc ~  2026

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BILL LEE, GOVERNOR