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The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
Governor Lee has signed into law a bill that would protect students and employees of Tennessee’s public universities from being forced to comply with “divisive concepts.”
Lee signed House Bill 2670 / Senate Bill 2290 on Friday, April 8. The bill, sponsored by House Speaker Cameron Sexton (R-Crossville-District 25) and Senator Mike Bell (R-Riceville-District 9), prohibits public institutions of higher education from requiring that students or employees embrace divisive teachings as a stipulation for any grade, diploma, employment opportunity, tenure, etc.
Additionally, public universities cannot mandate any trainings that include one or more divisive concepts, and they cannot use state-appropriated funds to provide incentives to faculty members who include such teachings in their curricula.
Campuses are required to survey their students and employees every other year to assess the campus climate regarding diversity and freedom of speech. The results of those surveys must be published to the institution’s website.
Students and employees who believe that the law has been violated may pursue legal remedies. The bill was amended to include a procedure that would require universities to investigate any complaints within ten days of receipt. Institutions are also required to submit a report annually to the House and Senate Education Committees with details regarding the number of complaints received, the findings of the investigations of those complaints, and the action taken as a result.
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The amendment also specified the actions that can be taken against employees who violate the law. First offenses may result in a written warning that will be placed in the employee’s permanent file, and subsequent offenses may result in termination of the employment agreement.
According to the text of the bill, the act takes effect immediately upon signing, “the public welfare requiring it.”
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
