Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

Tennessee House Bill HB2457

Introduced
1/30/24  

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to K-12 education.

Impact

The enactment of HB 2457 would significantly change how educational institutions manage their library collections. Principals are given the responsibility to ensure compliance with the bill, creating a structured process for reviewing materials when complaints arise about content. If a principal fails to act on sexually explicit content within the prescribed timeframe, the bill implements a system of penalties that could result in substantial funding reductions from the state's education budget. This introduces a financial incentive for schools to proactively manage their collections effectively.

Summary

House Bill 2457 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, focusing on K-12 education, specifically targeting the control and oversight of library materials in public and charter schools. The bill mandates that no library collection may contain sexually explicit content and requires strict adherence from school principals in reviewing and removing such materials. This requirement sets a definitive standard for what constitutes acceptable materials for student access, which proponents argue is necessary to ensure a safe educational environment for children.

Conclusion

Overall, HB 2457 sets a precedent for legislative involvement in school curriculum decisions, especially regarding sensitive content. As this bill moves forward, stakeholders—including parents, educators, and local governments—will likely continue to voice their opinions on its intended and unintended consequences. The discussions surrounding this legislation underscore the ongoing debate in education regarding the limits of appropriateness in school environments.

Contention

The bill has sparked notable discourse among educators, parents, and lawmakers regarding the balance between protecting children from inappropriate content and the potential for censorship. Critics argue that the definitions of 'sexually explicit content' are overly broad and could lead to the removal of valuable educational materials that are mischaracterized under the bill's language. This has raised concerns about the implications for student access to comprehensive information and literature, as well as how the bill could impact the autonomy of schools in determining educational content.

Companion Bills

TN SB2107

Crossfiled AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to K-12 education.

Similar Bills

TN SB2107

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to K-12 education.

UT HB0238

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor Amendments

US HB863

To amend title 18, United States Code, to prohibit a publishing house from knowingly furnishing sexually explicit material to a school or an educational agency, to prohibit Federal funds from being provided to a school that obtains or an educational agency that distributes sexually explicit material, and for other purposes.

SC H3046

Sexual Exploitation of a Minor, morphed images

IA SF496

A bill for an act relating to children and students, including establishing a parent's or guardian's right to make decisions affecting the parent's or guardian's child, authorizing the parent or guardian of a student enrolled in a school district to enroll the student in another attendance center within the same school district in certain specified circumstances, prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts, charter schools, and innovation zone schools in kindergarten through grade six, and modifying provisions related to student health screenings, school district library programs, the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools, other duties of school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, the department of education, the board of educational examiners, and the governing boards of charter schools and innovation zone schools, competent private instruction, and special education, and including effective date provisions. (Formerly SSB 1145.) Effective date: 05/26/2023, 07/01/2023.

IA HF43

A bill for an act establishing the criminal offense of unlawful electronic transmission of sexually explicit visual material, and providing penalties.(See HF 899.)