Lee Signs Law Requiring Process For Reporting Complaints Of Divisive Concepts In Tennessee Higher Education
Image Credit: canva
The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
Tennessee Governor Bill Lee signed a new bill on Monday that is aimed at establishing a process for reporting complaints about the teaching of divisive concepts in the state’s colleges and universities.
House Bill 2784 (HB2784) / Senate Bill 2501 (SB2501) sponsored by Representative John Ragan (R-Oak Ridge-District 33) and Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28 , states, “As introduced, establishes deadlines for public institutions of higher education to initiate and complete an investigation into a report filed by a student or employee alleging they have been penalized, discriminated against, or received adverse treatment due to their refusal to support or otherwise assent to a divisive concept, specific ideology, or political viewpoint; establishes financial penalties for institutions that fail to timely investigate such reports or fail to timely report the results of such investigations to the comptroller of the treasury; requires the comptroller to report institutions that frequently submit reports of such investigations to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives. – Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 7.”
When introducing the bill during session, Ragan emphasized its aim to bolster existing law by mandating that institutions report investigation findings on divisive concept complaints to the comptroller within 10 days. Additionally, they would need to provide status updates on ongoing investigations every 30 days.
Under the bill, if the comptroller finds that an institution fails to comply, it may be required to report to the Joint Government Operations Committee. Institutions with more than 10 reported investigations would have this information reported to the Education Committees of both chambers.
Opponents argued that the bill itself was divisive, but supporters have noted that the intent of this legislation is not to ban divisive concepts because that was done last year. This legislation simply sets up the process by which complaints are tracked.
With the signature from Governor Lee, the law will go into effect beginning July 1, 2024.
No student should be punishes for a differing viewpoint no matter if the viewpoint leans left, right or in the middle. It is sad that today we even have a need for such a law. My granddaughter told me she either goes along with what the Professor says or she gets a failing grade so she goes along even though she feels students are being indoctrinated as to what to think rather than being allowed to learn how to think.
Graduate, then Go-Fund-Me class action lawsuit for anti-first amendment & 14th discrimination
I’d donate to that for sure
Go Fund Me is leftist, prob wouldn’t allow.