New Tennessee Bill Pushes For Criminal Offense For Teachers Who Bully Students

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Tennessee Conservative News Staff –

Tennessee legislators will soon consider a bill that could make it a crime for teachers to bully or harass students.

Senate Bill 1774 (SB1774), sponsored by State Senator Paul Rose (R-Lauderdale/Shelby/Tipton-D32), as introduced, “creates a criminal offense for a school employee who intentionally engages in bullying or cyberbullying of a student; clarifies that a teacher or school employee of a local education agency who is found to have committed an act of harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyberbullying is subject to dismissal or suspension.”

The text of the bill clarifies that “bullying” is any act that “substantially interferes with a victim’s educational benefits, opportunities, or performance.”

It also adds a new subdivision that states that “A teacher or school employee found to have committed an act of harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyberbullying is subject to dismissal or suspension.” Additionally, such actions would be grounds for disciplinary action under school district policies.

The bill was passed on first consideration on January 21.

The companion House Bill 1733 (HB1733) is sponsored by State Representative Debra Moody (R-Covington-D81). HB1733 was referred to the Education Committee/Judiciary Committee on January 22 and has been assigned to the Education Administration Subcommittee.

If passed, the new law would go into effect on July 1.