Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
After going unobjected to on the body’s consent calendar, a bill which will make it a crime for school employees to bully or harass students unanimously passed the Senate 32-0 on Monday.
SB1774 by Sen. Paul Rose (R-Lauderdale-District 32) “creates a criminal offense for a school employee who intentionally engages in bullying or cyberbullying of a student.”
It also clarifies that a teacher or school employee of a local education agency who is “found to have committed an act of harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyberbullying is subject to dismissal or suspension.”
The bill defines “bullying” as any act that “substantially interferes with a victim’s educational benefits, opportunities, or performance,” and if that act has the effect of physically harming the victim, damaging their property, placing the victim in reasonable fear of physical harm or property damage, or otherwise creates a substantial disruption to the education environment or learning process.
Bills placed on a consent calendar are generally considered non-controversial and not in need of further debate or discussion by the body. Members can object to any consent calendar item they wish and have it separated for consideration on the floor, but all remaining bills are voted upon in one block.
SB1774 was not pulled off the consent calendar, which was approved with no votes against, so the bill is officially considered passed by the Senate.
Its House companion, HB1733, is scheduled for the House Judiciary Committee on Wednesday, March 18. If you wish to contact committee members about this legislation, use the information below:
House Judiciary Committee– HB1733 to be heard March 18
HB1733 makes it a crime for school employees to bully or harass students
Rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov; rep.elaine.davis@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov; rep.fred.atchley@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov; rep.clay.doggett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.eldridge@capitol.tn.gov; rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov; Rep.ga.hardaway@capitol.tn.gov; rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov; rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov; rep.william.lamberth@capitol.tn.gov; rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.lowell.russell@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gabby.salinas@capitol.tn.gov; rep.rick.scarbrough@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tom.stinnett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.chris.todd@capitol.tn.gov; rep.joe.towns@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ron.travis@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
