HB 1005 - SB 1161
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
March 12, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Alan Hampton | Email: alan.hampton@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
HB 1005 - SB 1161
SUMMARY OF BILL: Prohibits a local education agency (LEA) or public charter school
from suspending or expelling a student from school if the student is enrolled in any of the grades
pre-kindergarten through two (pre-K-2) unless the student's behavior endangers the physical safety
of other students or school personnel. Authorizes an LEA or public charter school to suspend a
student for such behavior for no more than three days if certain measures are taken before the
student is suspended.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NOT SIGNIFICANT
Assumptions:
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-3401, a principal, principal-teacher, or assistant
principal of any public school in this state is authorized to suspend a pupil from attendance
at the school, including its sponsored activities, or from riding a school bus, for good and
sufficient reasons. Students are also subject to expulsion for committing a “zero tolerance
offense.”
• The proposed legislation limits the authority to suspend or expel a student in any of the
grades pre-K-2 to instances where the student’s behavior endangers students or school
personnel.
• LEAs and public charter schools will be able to update and implement suspension practices
with existing resources such that any increase in local expenditures is estimated to be not
significant.
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director