| 1 | 1 | | |
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| 2 | 2 | | HOUSE BILL 419 |
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| 3 | 3 | | By Alexander |
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| 4 | 4 | | |
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| 5 | 5 | | SENATE BILL 414 |
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| 6 | 6 | | By Haile |
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| 7 | 7 | | |
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| 8 | 8 | | |
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| 9 | 9 | | SB0414 |
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| 10 | 10 | | 002025 |
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| 11 | 11 | | - 1 - |
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| 12 | 12 | | |
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| 13 | 13 | | AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, |
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| 14 | 14 | | relative to electronic devices. |
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| 15 | 15 | | |
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| 16 | 16 | | BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE: |
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| 17 | 17 | | SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 3, is amended by |
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| 18 | 18 | | adding the following as a new section: |
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| 19 | 19 | | (a) As used in this section, "electronic device" means a portable or handheld |
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| 20 | 20 | | device that is capable of transmitting and receiving data wirelessly, including, but not |
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| 21 | 21 | | limited to, mobile phones, smartphones, tablets, and other similar devices. |
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| 22 | 22 | | (b) Each LEA and public charter school shall prohibit a student enrolled in the |
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| 23 | 23 | | LEA or public charter school from displaying, using, or accessing an electronic device |
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| 24 | 24 | | during the school day unless the electronic device is: |
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| 25 | 25 | | (1) Provided to the student by the LEA or public charter school; |
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| 26 | 26 | | (2) Authorized for use during the school day pursuant to the policy |
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| 27 | 27 | | adopted by the local board of education or public charter school governing body |
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| 28 | 28 | | in accordance with subsection (c); or |
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| 29 | 29 | | (3) Being used by a student who has a disability for the operation of |
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| 30 | 30 | | assistive technology to increase, maintain, or improve the student's functional |
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| 31 | 31 | | capabilities, or pursuant to a student's individualized education program (IEP) |
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| 32 | 32 | | under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. § 1400 et seq.), |
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| 33 | 33 | | or a Section 504 plan under the Rehabilitation Act (29 U.S.C. § 701 et seq.). |
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| 34 | 34 | | (c) |
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| 35 | 35 | | |
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| 36 | 36 | | |
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| 37 | 37 | | - 2 - 002025 |
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| 38 | 38 | | |
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| 39 | 39 | | (1) Each local board of education and public charter school governing |
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| 40 | 40 | | body shall develop and adopt a policy to effectuate this section. A policy adopted |
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| 41 | 41 | | pursuant to this subsection (c): |
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| 42 | 42 | | (A) May categorically ban the use of certain electronic devices in |
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| 43 | 43 | | designated areas, such as libraries, laboratories, and examination halls; |
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| 44 | 44 | | (B) May establish an exception to the general prohibition in |
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| 45 | 45 | | subsection (b) in certain situations, including, but not limited to, |
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| 46 | 46 | | emergency situations, and in certain areas, including, but not limited to, |
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| 47 | 47 | | one (1) or more of the areas listed in subdivision (c)(1)(A); and |
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| 48 | 48 | | (C) Must establish a process by which parents will be contacted |
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| 49 | 49 | | in the event of an emergency or possible emergency occurring at the |
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| 50 | 50 | | school at which the parent's student is enrolled to ensure that the |
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| 51 | 51 | | absence of, or restricted access to, electronic devices during the school |
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| 52 | 52 | | day does not prevent parents from receiving notice of an emergency. |
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| 53 | 53 | | (2) Each LEA and public charter school shall submit its policy to the |
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| 54 | 54 | | department of education no later than July 31, 2025. |
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| 55 | 55 | | SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it, |
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| 56 | 56 | | and applies to the 2025-2026 school year and each school year thereafter. |
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