Lee Signs Bill Outlining Zero-Tolerance For Threats of Mass Violence In Tennessee Schools

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Rebecca Scott] –

Governor Bill Lee has signed into law a zero-tolerance bill regarding threats of school violence.

House Bill 2487 and Senate Bill 2931, sponsored respectively by Representative Chris Hurt (R-Halls-District 82) and Senator Bill Powers (R-Clarksville-District 22), “ As enacted, conditions the expulsion of a student for committing the zero tolerance offense of threatening mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity to threats of mass violence determined to be valid based on the results of a threat assessment; requires directors of schools and heads of public charter schools to report threats of mass violence on school property or at a school-related activity made by a student that are determined, based on the results of a threat assessment, to be valid. – Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 49, Chapter 6.”

Essentially, this new law provides a roadmap for determining the validity of any threat of mass violence made by a student, and requires teachers and administrators to report a student whom they have witnessed making a threat.

If it is determined that a threat was truly valid, the student will be expelled. The legislation allows for suspension while a threat is being investigated.

As reported previously by The Tennessee Conservative, another law regarding threats of school violence was vague, not truly determining what the definition of a threat is, and not protecting students who may have disabilities or speak without thinking but have no intention of actually carrying out violence.

This new law provides a more structured and detailed approach to the zero-tolerance policies.

Rebecca Scott is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Rebecca at Rebecca@tennesseeconservativenews.com