Tennessee House Bill HB2364

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26
• Refer: 2/5/26
• Refer: 3/3/26
• Refer: 3/24/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, relative to school safety.

Impact

One critical aspect of HB2364 is its emphasis on the responsibilities of local education agencies (LEAs) in responding to threats of violence or disruptive behavior within schools. The bill mandates that LEAs report credible threats to state or local law enforcement and ensure timely notification to students' parents and guardians. Specifically, this notification must occur within 48 hours of the LEA determining the credibility of the threat. By implementing this communication requirement, the bill is designed to enhance the awareness and preparedness of families regarding potential safety issues in schools.

Summary

House Bill 2364 seeks to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, with a focus on enhancing school safety protocols. The bill introduces new provisions regarding the designation of school employees who can conduct searches in a principal's absence and requires these employees to complete specific training. This change aims to ensure that the personnel responsible for such sensitive activities are adequately prepared to handle the responsibilities entrusted to them.

Contention

Discussions surrounding HB2364 may center on balancing school safety and parental rights. Proponents of the bill advocate for stringent protocols regarding threat assessments and parental notifications to protect students effectively. Critics, however, might express concerns over how such measures could be perceived as an invasion of privacy or could lead to over-reporting of benign incidents. Additionally, there may be debates about the adequacy of the training provided to school employees designated under the new provisions, and whether these measures are sufficient to address the complexities of school safety in modern educational environments.