Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SB0470 Compare Versions

Version 1 (Old)

Version 2 (New)

Old	New		Differences
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2	2		HOUSE BILL 399
3	3		By Bricken
4	4
5	5		SENATE BILL 470
6		-	By ~~Harshbarger~~
	6	+	By Bowling
7	7
8	8
9	9		SB0470
10	10		000819
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13	13		AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 12
14	14		and Title 49, relative to school safety.
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16	16		WHEREAS, the alarming rise in school violence incidents, including those at after-school
17	17		events, and recent threats have underscored the urgent need for proactive steps to bolster
18	18		school safety for Tennessee students and communities, and to ensure secure learning
19	19		environments; and
20	20		WHEREAS, disparities in resources among districts can lead to an inequitable
21	21		distribution of security measures, notably in the availability of walk-through metal detectors,
22	22		resulting in some local education agencies (LEAs) having access to these essential tools, while
23	23		others lack the necessary funding mechanisms to safeguard their communities effectively; and
24	24		WHEREAS, it is imperative that each LEA in the State has equitable access to essential
25	25		safety equipment. To address this need, this act introduces a pilot program focused on at-risk
26	26		and distressed LEAs by providing grants for the acquisition of portable metal detectors, ensuring
27	27		schools can deter potential threats and promote a secure atmosphere for students and staff,
28	28		both during school hours and at after-school events; and
29	29		WHEREAS, it is the intent of this General Assembly to ensure that no school is left
30	30		unprotected due to financial constraints, beginning with the State's most vulnerable
31	31		communities, and to evaluate the effectiveness of providing targeted security resources; and
32	32		WHEREAS, by instituting a grant program to cover the full cost of obtaining, installing,
33	33		and training personnel on the use of walk-through metal detectors, the State of Tennessee
34	34		declares its unwavering commitment to fostering an equitable solution for enhanced security in
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39	39		at-risk and distressed LEAs, ensuring that every child, educator, and visitor experiences a safe
40	40		and secure educational environment; now, therefore,
41	41		BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
42	42		SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, is amended by adding
43	43		the following as a new part:
44	44		49-6-8201. Short title.
45	45		This part is known and may be cited as the "Protecting Tennessee Schools and
46	46		Events Act."
47	47		49-6-8202. Part definitions.
48	48		As used in this part, unless the context otherwise requires:
49	49		(1) "Aggregate data" means summary level information collected to
50	50		represent overall trends and outcomes, without reference to individual students
51	51		or specific incidents;
52	52		(2) "Continuous operation" means the ability of the walk-through metal
53	53		detector to function without interruption for a specified duration when powered by
54	54		an internal battery, without the need for recharging or external power;
55	55		(3) "Deployment" means the installation, strategic placement, and
56	56		operational use of walk-through metal detectors by an LEA, in accordance with
57	57		this part;
58	58		(4) "Grant" means a protecting Tennessee schools and events
59	59		assistance grant awarded to an LEA pursuant to this part;
60	60		(5) "Implementation effectiveness" means the overall impact and
61	61		functionality of walk-through metal detectors in enhancing school security, as
62	62		measured by activation counts, categorized items detected, and stakeholder
63	63		feedback;
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68	68		(6) "Ingress protection rating" means the level of protection against dust
69	69		and water intrusion for electronic devices at an IP54 standard;
70	70		(7) "Maintenance" includes, but is not limited to, the regular inspection,
71	71		testing, repair, and upkeep of walk-through metal detectors to ensure the walk-
72	72		through metal detectors are properly functioning in accordance with the
73	73		manufacturer's specifications;
74	74		(8) "Modular design" means a design in which the walk-through metal
75	75		detector can be broken down into no more than four (4) separate components for
76	76		ease of transport, setup, breakdown, and maintenance;
77	77		(9) "Portable walk-through metal detector" means a non-intrusive
78	78		electronic device designed to detect the presence of concealed metallic objects
79	79		on an individual passing through its portal by generating a magnetic field, and the
80	80		device is equipped with advanced safety features to ensure maximum security
81	81		while safeguarding students' well-being and privacy;
82	82		(10) "Qualitative feedback" means subjective insights and observations
83	83		gathered from school personnel and stakeholders, typically collected through
84	84		structured interviews or surveys, reflecting their perceptions of safety and
85	85		security impacts;
86	86		(11) "School events" means extracurricular activities, athletic
87	87		competitions, performances, assemblies, or other gatherings that are officially
88	88		organized or sanctioned by an LEA and held on school grounds or at other
89	89		locations designated by the LEA, whether occurring during, before, or after
90	90		regular school hours; and
91	91		(12) "Training" means initial and ongoing instruction and guidance
92	92		provided to personnel on the safe and effective use of portable walk-through
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97	97		metal detectors, covering protocols for safety procedures, detection techniques,
98	98		and appropriate interaction with students and the public.
99	99		49-6-8203. Establishment of grant program.
100	100		(a) By July 1, 2025, the department of education shall establish a pilot program
101	101		to award protecting Tennessee schools and events assistance grants to LEAs located in
102	102		counties identified as distressed or at-risk by the economic and community
103	103		development's performance metrics for the fiscal year 2025, using funds appropriated by
104	104		the general appropriations act for such purpose. The primary purpose of the grants is to
105	105		assist LEAs located in counties identified as distressed or at-risk in purchasing portable
106	106		walk-through metal detectors.
107	107		(b) The grants awarded pursuant to this part are dependent on the amount
108	108		appropriated for the grants. It is the intent of the general assembly that funds are
109	109		appropriated in an amount sufficient to provide each LEA that meets the requirements of
110	110		subsection (a) with three (3) portable walk-through metal detectors. It is the intent of this
111	111		part that the maximum amount of a grant awarded to an LEA for purchasing a portable
112	112		walk-through metal detector shall not exceed sixteen thousand dollars ($16,000) per
113	113		portable walk-through metal detector or forty-eight thousand dollars ($48,000) total per
114	114		LEA.
115	115		(c) An LEA that meets the requirements of subsection (a) may apply to the
116	116		department for a grant. The department shall award these grants on a first-come, first-
117	117		served basis. An LEA shall not be awarded more than the general assembly's intent in
118	118		subsection (b).
119	119		49-6-8204. Portable walk-through metal detectors.
120	120		A portable walk-through metal detector obtained by a grant awarded pursuant to
121	121		this part must:
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126	126		(1) Demonstrate the capacity to process at least twenty-five (25)
127	127		individuals per minute or one thousand five hundred (1,500) individuals per hour
128	128		in a single lane, under optimal flow conditions, with one (1) operator, excluding
129	129		additional time required for individual checks when an alarm is triggered;
130	130		(2) Feature an open-top design, eliminating the need for a top arch,
131	131		which prevents any height restrictions and promotes an unrestricted walkthrough
132	132		experience, enhancing overall user comfort by allowing for natural walking
133	133		posture;
134	134		(3) Comfortably accommodate foot traffic, wheelchairs, and other mobility
135	135		assistance devices, such as walkers or crutches, adhering to accessibility
136	136		standards to ensure inclusive use by all individuals;
137	137		(4) Activate a customizable alarm with both visual and audible alerts that
138	138		can be adjusted for volume and tone. The alarm must activate in real-time or
139	139		immediately upon detection to ensure the individual remains within the detection
140	140		area for further inspection if needed;
141	141		(5) Include a multi-zone light array capable of pinpointing the precise
142	142		location of detected items on a person's body, enabling quick identification of
143	143		potential threats. The multi-zone light must be clearly visible and effective in both
144	144		bright and low-light conditions, ensuring consistent performance across diverse
145	145		environments;
146	146		(6) Have customizable audible alerts in both volume and tone;
147	147		(7) Include adjustable sensitivity settings for metal detection, enabling
148	148		operators to calibrate the device according to the specific needs and
149	149		environmental conditions of different school settings. The adjustable sensitivity
150	150		settings must:
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155	155		(A) Minimize false alarms by allowing for fine-tuning to ignore
156	156		common non-threatening metal items;
157	157		(B) Maintain high detection rates for actual threats;
158	158		(C) Support different sensitivity levels for various zones within the
159	159		detector; and
160	160		(D) Be user-friendly to ensure that the portable walk-through
161	161		metal detector can be easily tailored to operational requirements;
162	162		(8) Be equipped with all necessary functions integrated directly into the
163	163		unit, operating without external devices like tablets or smartphones for viewing
164	164		scan results;
165	165		(9) Be designed for portability, including:
166	166		(A) A mobile base with four (4) lockable wheels for secure
167	167		positioning;
168	168		(B) Balanced weight distribution for one-handed maneuverability;
169	169		(C) Capability of passing through a standard doorway without
170	170		disassembly;
171	171		(D) Capability to navigate various terrains without modification to
172	172		the portable walk-through metal detector; and
173	173		(E) An integrated design that requires no additional equipment for
174	174		movement;
175	175		(10) Have an ingress protection rating;
176	176		(11) Be equipped with a rechargeable battery designed to provide at
177	177		least six (6) hours of continuous operation without recharging;
178	178		(12) Have a modular design; and
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183	183		(13) Include or be compatible with a dedicated travel case, engineered to
184	184		ensure safe handling, protection during transit, and secure storage, minimizing
185	185		the risk of damage during movement between locations.
186	186		49-6-8205. Procurement.
187	187		(a) The local board of education for an LEA that is awarded a grant pursuant to §
188	188		49-6-8203 shall procure portable walk-through metal detectors in compliance with the
189	189		minimum specification requirements described in § 49-6-8204. The procurement
190	190		process must be managed by the LEA's director of schools or a designated
191	191		administrative office in compliance with this state's procurement laws.
192	192		(b)
193	193		(1) An LEA shall use a competitive procurement process, as described in
194	194		§ 49-2-203(a)(3), to satisfy the requirements of subsection (a).
195	195		(2) In selecting a vendor, an LEA shall comply with the requirements of
196	196		the Tennessee Minority-Owned, Woman-Owned, Service-Disabled Veteran-
197	197		Owned, Business Owned by Persons with Disabilities, and Small Business
198	198		Procurement and Contracting Act, compiled in title 12, chapter 3, part 11.
199	199		(c) In awarding a contract for the procurement of portable walk-through metal
200	200		detectors, an LEA:
201	201		(1) Shall prioritize vendors that demonstrate the ability to provide
202	202		additional features or services that enhance school safety and operational
203	203		efficiency, including:
204	204		(A) Capabilities for visitor management and health screening,
205	205		supporting credentialing, health screenings, and security screenings for
206	206		diverse school and event needs;
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211	211		(B) Integration with automated access control and real-time
212	212		monitoring systems, enabling real-time alerts and enhanced access
213	213		management;
214	214		(C) Data collection and analysis tools for monitoring visitor flow,
215	215		alarm frequency, and security trends; and
216	216		(D) An operational presence within this state, ensuring
217	217		responsiveness and familiarity with local needs, as well as the ability to
218	218		provide ongoing maintenance and support; and
219	219		(2) May give additional consideration to vendors offering enhanced
220	220		service options, including expedited delivery, on-site training, or the ability to
221	221		integrate portable walk-through metal detectors with existing security
222	222		infrastructure.
223	223		49-6-8206. Special Contract terms – Implementation.
224	224		(a) It is the intent of this part that LEAs enter into contracts pursuant to § 49-6-
225	225		8205(a) as soon as practicable following the LEA's receipt of a grant under § 49-6-8203.
226	226		Subject to the availability of funding, the goal is for all delivery, installation, and setup of
227	227		portable walk-through metal detectors to be completed within three hundred sixty-five
228	228		(365) days from the effective date of this act.
229	229		(b) A contract made pursuant to § 49-6-8205(a) must require that the vendor:
230	230		(1) Provide clear operational guidelines to ensure effective use, proper
231	231		handling of false alarms, and protection of student privacy; and
232	232		(2) Conduct on-site training for school personnel and school resource
233	233		officers at a designated location within each LEA. This training must include best
234	234		practices tailored to each LEA, covering effective operation, false alarm
235	235		protocols, privacy procedures, and strategic deployment.
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240	240		49-6-8207. Vendor-led data collection and annual reporting.
241	241		(a) An LEA shall authorize a vendor procuring a portable walk-through metal
242	242		detector pursuant to this part to conduct in-person observations and collect data on the
243	243		implementation and overall effectiveness of the portable walk-through metal detectors
244	244		procured pursuant to this part. The vendor shall coordinate with the LEA to schedule a
245	245		visit on days in which screenings are planned, ensuring comprehensive and relevant
246	246		data collection while minimizing disruption to regular operations.
247	247		(b) Data collected pursuant to this section must focus exclusively on aggregate
248	248		trends and outcomes only and comply with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy
249	249		Act (FERPA) (20 U.S.C. 1232g); § 10-7-504; the Data Accessibility, Transparency, and
250	250		Accountability Act, compiled in chapter 1, part 7 of this title; and all other relevant privacy
251	251		laws. The data collected may include:
252	252		(1) Total number of portable walk-through metal detectors' activations per
253	253		school;
254	254		(2) Categorization of detected items, such as weapons or contraband;
255	255		(3) A summary of interventions made by school personnel or law
256	256		enforcement due to alerts from portable walk-through metal detectors procured
257	257		pursuant to this part; and
258	258		(4) Qualitative feedback from school personnel on perceived changes in
259	259		safety due to the portable walk-through metal detectors.
260	260		(c) The vendor shall submit an annual report to the LEA summarizing key
261	261		findings from the data collected pursuant to this section. The LEA shall review the
262	262		vendor's report and submit the vendor's report to the department, along with any
263	263		additional feedback from the LEA. The department shall submit a consolidated report to
264	264		the education committee of the senate and the committee of the house of
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269	269		representatives having jurisdiction over school safety. The consolidated report must
270	270		include:
271	271		(1) A clear overview of the collected data and key trends;
272	272		(2) An assessment of the effectiveness in enhancing school safety
273	273		through the use of portable walk-through metal detectors procured pursuant to
274	274		this part;
275	275		(3) Identification of any challenges or areas for improvement related to
276	276		the use of portable walk-through metal detectors procured pursuant to this part;
277	277		and
278	278		(4) Legislative recommendations for this part.
279	279		SECTION 2. This act is not an appropriation of funds, and funds must not be obligated
280	280		or expended pursuant to this act unless the funds are specifically appropriated by the general
281	281		appropriations act.
282	282		SECTION 3. The headings in this act are for reference purposes only and do not
283	283		constitute part of the law enacted by this act. However, the Tennessee Code Commission is
284	284		requested to include the headings in any compilation or publication containing this act.
285	285		SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.