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                        $tate of utennessee

                          PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 103

                                                  HOUSE BILL NO. 932

By Representatives Alexander, White, Howell, Slater, Cepicky, Hemmer, Renea Jones,
McCalmon, Zachary, Brock Martin, Williams, Tim Hicks, Gary Hicks, Vital, Travis,
Burkhart, Atchley, Raper, Hakeem, Maberry, Eldridge, Reeves, Lamberth, Davis, Terry,
Helton-Haynes, Hale, Bricken, Sparks, Stinnett, Wright, Marsh, Hawk, Sherrell,
Scarbrough, Hurt, Kumar,- Hardaway, Barrett, Todd, Reedy, Glynn

                                        Substituted for: Senate Bill No. 897

   By Senators Haile, Yager, Bailey, Bowling, Crowe, Hensley, Massey, Powers, Reeves,
                                                 Rose, Stevens, Walley

          AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to communication
devices at schools.

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

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 3, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:

                    (a) As used in this section, "wireless communication device" means a portable
          wireless device that has the capability to provide voice, messaging, or other data
          communication between two (2) or more parties, including, but not limited to:

                               (1) Cellular telephones;

                               (2) Tablet computers;

                               (3) Laptop computers; and

                               (4) Gaming devices.

                     (b) Each local board of education and each public charter school governing body
          shall adopt and implement a wireless communication device policy that:

                               (1) Except as provided in subdivisions (b)(2)-(4), prohibits a student from
                     using a wireless communication device during instructional time;

                               (2) Authorizes a teacher to allow a student to use a wireless
                     communication device for educational purposes during instructional time;

                               (3) Permits a student to use a wireless communication device in the event
                     of an emergency or to manage the student's health;

                               (4) Permits a student to use a wireless communication device during
                     instructional time if:

                                         (A) The student's use of the wireless communication device is
                               included in the student's:

                                                   (i) Individualized education program under the Individuals
                                         with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.);

                                                   (ii) Active 504 plan developed under Section 504 of the
                                         Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. § 794); or

                                                   (iii) Individual learning plan; or
HB932
                                        (B) The wireless communication device is being used by a student

                              with a disability for the operation of assistive technology to increase,
                              maintain, or improve the student's functional capabilities; and
                              (5) Establishes a process by which parents or guardians of students will
                    be contacted in the event of an emergency or possible emergency occurring at
                    the school at which the parent's student is enrolled to ensure that the absence of,
                    or restricted access to, wireless communication devices during the school day
                    does not prevent parents from receiving notice of an emergency or possible
                    emergency.
                    (c) Each LEA and public charter school shall publish the wireless communication
          device policy established pursuant to subsection (b) on its website.
          SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-4002, is amended by deleting
subsection (h) and substituting:
                    (h) A discipline policy or code of conduct adopted by a local board of education
          or public charter school governing body may authorize a teacher to withhold a student's
          wireless communication device from the student for the duration of the instructional time
          if the student is noncompliant with the LEA's or public charter school's wireless
          communication device policy adopted pursuant to Section 1. As used in this subsection
          (h), "wireless communication device" has the same meaning as defined in Section 1.
          SECTION 3. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it, and
applies to the 2025-2026 school year and each school year thereafter.

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         HOUSE BILL NO. 932

PASSED:  March 13, 2025

                         CAMERONSEXTON,SPEAKER
                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

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                                             RANDY M\NALLY

                            SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

APPROVED this ;;;{1641.... day of Mco::::rk  2025

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BILL LEE, GOVERNOR