Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
A bill that would prohibit Tennessee public school districts from forcing teachers to participate in “implicit bias training” is now scheduled to be heard on the House’s regular calendar on Thursday.
House Bill 0158 (HB0158), sponsored by Representative Jason Zachary (R-Knoxville-District 14), was “placed behind the budget” on April 12th. The bill was later rescheduled for the Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee on Tuesday, April 18th.
The bill was introduced in the subcommittee and was approved by a voice vote. It was immediately heard in the full committee following that subcommittee meeting. The full Finance, Ways, and Means Committee held a voice vote in which ayes prevailed.
In previous discussions, Zachary noted that the bill did not ban local education agencies from holding those trainings, but it would give employees the right to opt out of those trainings without any fear of repercussions.
It is rare that a bill is brought back to the table after being placed behind the budget; however, legislators have brought a number of bills back during this session after the Governor finalized his budget for the next fiscal year.
HB0158 will now be presented on the House Floor for a vote on April 20th. If you support this legislation, you can find your Representative’s contact information HERE.
The companion Senate Bill 0102 (SB0102) is scheduled to be considered by the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on April 20th.
To voice your support for SB01022, contact the committee members listed below:
Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
Bo Watson (Chair) (R) – sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3227
John Stevens (R) – sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4576
Joey Hensley (R) – sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3100
Ferrell Haile (R) – sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1999
Jack Johnson (R) – sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2495
London Lamar (D) – sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2509
Bill Powers (R) – sen.bill.powers@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2374
Page Walley (R) – sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2368
Dawn White (R) – sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6853)
Ken Yager (R) – sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1449
Jeff Yarbro (D) – sen.jeff.yarbro@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3291
About the Author: Jason Vaughn, Media Coordinator for The Tennessee Conservative ~ Jason previously worked for a legacy publishing company based in Crossville, TN in a variety of roles through his career. Most recently, he served as Deputy Director for their flagship publication. Prior, he was a freelance journalist writing articles that appeared in the Herald Citizen, the Crossville Chronicle and The Oracle among others. He graduated from Tennessee Technological University with a Bachelor’s in English-Journalism, with minors in Broadcast Journalism and History. Contact Jason at news@TennesseeConservativeNews.com
