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The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
Beginning July 1st, 177 new laws go into effect in Tennessee. Here are a few of them that may interest conservatives.
Requiring Reporting of Foreign Purchases of Land in Tennessee
HB0219 requires that in addition to filing a report of a purchase with the United States Department of Agriculture, under the Agricultural Foreign Investment Disclosure Act of 1978, that “foreign persons” purchasing land in the state must also file with the Tennessee Commissioner of Agriculture within 90 days of acquisition or transfer. Individuals failing to report may face a civil penalty of up to 25% of the property’s value.
Increasing Penalties for Child Abusers
HB0045 increases what was a Class A misdemeanor to a Class E felony for abusing a child with the intention of inflicting injury. Previously, such abuse was only a felony if the child was 8-years-old or younger.
Teen Social Media and Internet Safety Act
HB0825 requires LEAs and public charter schools to prohibit students from accessing social media through the use of internet provided by the school beginning with the 2025-2026 school year. Teachers may still authorize such access for educational purposes. Other portions of the law go into effect next year. By January 1st, the state department of education must have developed a curriculum that teaches about safely using the internet, as well as the dangers and some specific benefits of social media. By the 2026-2027 school year, this curriculum must be implemented in Tennessee’s public schools.
Banning the Use of Cell Phones In Classrooms
HB0932 mandates that all LEAs and public charter schools create a wireless communication device policy that prohibits the use of cell phones or other “wireless communication devices” during instructional time unless teachers allow their use for educational purposes during class. Students with disabilities or health issues who must use a wireless device are exempt from the prohibition.
Minors to Lose Driving Privileges for Bullying
HB1025 requires minors to lose their driving privileges or their ability to obtain a driver’s license for a year if they are adjudicated for bullying, including cyberbullying. Judges are allowed to grant minors a special type of restricted license under specific circumstances if they have not violated harassment rules in the past.
Increasing Penalties for Threats of Mass Violence and Making Doxxing a Misdemeanor
HB1314 makes the penalties for those threatening mass violence online greater, and creates new penalties for ‘doxxing’ which involves posting the addresses and phone numbers of individuals on public websites with the intent to cause harm. The new law now makes threatening any kind of mass violence, either online or in person, that would lead a “reasonable person” to conclude that the threat is credible a Class E felony. Doxxing is a Class B misdemeanor but if an individual, their family, or property ends up being harmed, then the charge could wind up being a Class A misdemeanor.
Increasing Tennessee Elementary Student Recess Times
SB0158 takes the current recess requirements for elementary school students from 15 minutes per day to 40 minutes. According to research, more physical activity helps children develop better socialization skills, leads to less classroom disruptions, helps combat childhood obesity, and increases academic results.
Banning Jurisdiction of Global Organizations in Tennessee
SB0263 bans the World Health Organization, the United Nations, and the World Economic Forum from having any jurisdiction in the state.
Bible Courses at Public Charter Schools
SB0298 extends the same provisions of present law regarding Bible courses to public charter schools. Present law neither mandates an LEA use a Bible curriculum approved by the state board of education nor prohibits an LEA from adopting its own curriculum. In the state of Tennessee, any academic study of the Bible must be approved as a special course according the rules of the state board and must be in compliance with the constitutions of the state and the United States.
Human Smuggling Law Addressing Illegal Immigration Human Trafficking
SB0392 creates the offenses of human smuggling, harboring or hiding, and assisting another in harboring or hiding illegal immigrants that are known to have illegally entered or remained in the United States.
Success Sequence Act
SB0471 mandates that schools provide instruction on the keys to a successful life, incorporating the instruction into the state’s Family Life Curriculum. According to research and data, the steps to a successful life are completing high school, going on to higher education or becoming employed, getting married, and then having children, in that order.
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
