CRT, Parental Consent, Election Integrity, Religious Discrimination, Pandemic Response Bills In Subcommittee (Update 2/9/22)

***Article Update 2/9/22 – HB1758 was withdrawn on February 2nd, but was refiled on the same date as HB2835 along with Senate companion bill SB2696.  The bill is now entitled “Youth Health Protection Act”.  The article has been updated with the new information.***

***Article Update 2/2/22 – House Bill 1639 “Pandemic Response” was withdrawn on 1/31/22.  The Tennessee Conservative has reached out to Representative Warner for clarity and his office replied, “HB1639 was filed before special session This bill was withdrawn as it conflicts with Public Chapter 6 that was passed during special session. There are still many great aspects of the bill that need to be passed that were not addressed in Public Chapter 6. Those issue are being addressed in language that directly amends public chapter 6. You will see this language filed by many offices.” ***

Photo Credit: Senator Shane Reeves / Facebook

The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –

Several bills have now been assigned to subcommittees that will be of interest to Tennessee Conservatives.

House Bill 1723 (HB 1723) – Critical Race Theory

Sponsored by Representative Glen Casada (R-Franklin-District 63) and introduced January 12th, 2022, HB 1723 requires an LEA’s policy on the inspection of school instructional materials by parents and legal guardians of students enrolled in the LEA to allow a student’s parent or legal guardian to check out from the student’s school one set of the instructional materials used in the student’s classroom for a period of no less than 48 hours to allow the parent or legal guardian time to inspect the materials. – Amends TCA Title 49.

Assigned to the House Education Instruction Subcommittee on January 19th, 2022.

Contact information for Republican subcommittee members:

Scott Cepicky (chair) – rep.scott.cepicky@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3005

Bruce Griffey – rep.bruce.griffey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6804

Kirk Haston – rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0750

Tim Hicks – rep.tim.hicks@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1717

Debra Moody – rep.debra.moody@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3774

John Ragan – rep.john.ragan@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4400

Todd Warner – rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4170

Terri Lynn Weaver – rep.terri.lynn.weaver@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2192

House Bill 2835 (HB2835) / Senate Bill 2696 (SB2696) – Youth Health Protection Act

Bill was previously designated as HB1758 but was withdrawn on February 2nd, and refiled on the same date as HB2835 along with Senate companion bill SB2696.  The bill is now entitled “Youth Health Protection Act”. 

HB2835, sponsored by Representative John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge-District 33) and SB2696, sponsored by Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16) seeks to prohibit healthcare providers from providing medical treatment to minors without parental consent; provides exceptions for minors seeking treatment under certain conditions. – Amends TCA Title 8; Title 9; Title 14; Title 33; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB2835 assigned to the House Health Subcommittee February 8, 2022.

SB2696 was passed on first and second consideration and referred to the Senate Health and Welfare Committee on February 7, 2022.

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House Bill 1662 (HB 1662) – Election Integrity

Sponsored by Representative Bruce Griffey (R-Paris-District 75) and filed for introduction on December 29th, 2021, HB 1662 prohibits the use of voting machines; requires that elections be conducted using hand-marked paper ballots; authorizes poll watchers to record video at the polling place; requires the coordinator of elections to prescribe certain security measures for paper ballots. – Amends TCA Title 2.

Read our in-depth article HERE.

Assigned to the House Elections & Campaign Finance Subcommittee on January 12th, 2022.

Contact information for subcommittee members below:

Tim Rudd (chair) – rep.tim.rudd@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2804

John Crawford – rep.john.crawford@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7623

John Holsclaw – rep.john.holsclaw@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7450

Eddie Mannis – rep.eddie.mannis@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2287

Ryan Williams – rep.ryan.williams@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1875

Dave Wright – rep.dave.wright@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6879

House Bill 1694 / Senate Bill 1837 (HB 1694 / SB 1837) – Religious Discrimination

Sponsored by Representative Glen Casada (R-Franklin-District 63) and filed for introduction January 11th, 2022, HB 1694/SB 1837 prohibits the state, a political subdivision, or a public official from prohibiting, or imposing additional restrictions on, the lawful operations of a church or religious organization, including religious services or activities, during a state of emergency, major disaster, or natural disaster. – Amends TCA Title 58.

HB1694 was placed on calendar for the Public Service Subcommittee for 1/26/2022.

SB1837 was Passed on First Consideration on 01/24/22.

Contact information for Republican subcommittee members below:

Esther Helton (chair) – rep.esther.helton@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741 – 1934

Rebecca Alexander – rep.rebecca.alexander@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2251

Curtis Johnson – rep.curtis.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4341

Kelly Keisling – rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6852

Pat Marsh – rep.pat.marsh@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6824

House Bill 1639 (HB 1639) – Pandemic Response

Sponsored by Representative Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill-District 92) and introduced August 13th, 2021, HB 1639 prohibits this state or its political subdivisions from taking certain actions in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. – Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 1; Title 5, Chapter 1; Title 6, Chapter 54 and Title 8.

Assigned to Departments & Agencies Subcommittee January 12th, 2022.

Contact information for Republican subcommittee members below:

John Holsclaw (chair) – rep.john.holsclaw@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7450

Rush Bricken – rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7448

Dale Carr – rep.dale.carr@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5981

Michele Carringer – rep.michele.carringer@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1721

Curtis Halford – rep.curtis.halford@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7478

Kelly Keisling – rep.kelly.keisling@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6852

About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.