Tennessee Senate Bill SB0484

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/25/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to school safety.

Impact

The passing of SB0484 is expected to have a significant impact on local education policies by mandating the routine checks of school doors, which may improve overall safety within the school environment. The bill facilitates the creation of a special account within the general fund, ensuring that the allocated funds for school safety are available and not reverted back to the general fund at the end of the fiscal year. This provision encourages consistent, long-term investments in technology for school safety.

Summary

Senate Bill 484 (SB0484) is an act aimed at enhancing school safety within Tennessee's educational system. The bill specifically focuses on the establishment of a new fund known as the school safety technology fund, designed to provide local education agencies (LEAs) with financial resources to support the purchase of technology platforms. These platforms are intended to assist schools in performing regular checks of school building doors to ensure they remain locked, thereby bolstering security measures across educational institutions.

Contention

Notable points of contention surrounding SB0484 may arise regarding the allocation and administration of the funds. The Department of Finance and Administration is tasked with administering the school safety technology fund, which may raise questions about oversight and the effectiveness of the fund's expenditures. Furthermore, the process by which rules will be promulgated to implement the provisions of the bill is prescribed in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, potentially leading to debates regarding transparency and bureaucratic efficiency.