Tennessee Senate Bill SB2701

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to special education.

Impact

The legislation places significant emphasis on parental involvement, as installation and usage of the surveillance system require written consent from the parents of students who may be monitored. This not only empowers parents to have a voice in their children's educational environment but also ensures that there are legal protections regarding the footage collected. The bill stipulates that collected photographs or video footage must be accessible only to the parents of the students featured, thus protecting student privacy under federal and state laws.

Summary

Senate Bill 2701 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, to enhance safety within special education classrooms. The bill mandates that local education agencies (LEAs) or public charter schools install and maintain video camera surveillance systems in each special education classroom, provided that a parent requests such a system. This measure is intended to promote student safety by allowing continuous monitoring of the classroom while special education services are being provided to students.

Contention

While the bill has the potential to increase safety in special education settings, it may raise concerns regarding privacy among some stakeholders. Critics might argue that the implementation of such surveillance could create an atmosphere of distrust between educators and families. Furthermore, there may be debates surrounding who ultimately decides when the camera should be used and the potential for misuse or overreach concerning access to monitored footage. Such discussions are likely to occur as the bill progresses through the legislative process.