Tennessee Bill That Ensures Compliance With Age Appropriate Materials Act Passes House Subcommittee (Update 2.5.24)

***Update 2.5.24 – HB1632 has been placed on the full House Education Administration Committee calendar to be heard on February 7, 2024. To voice your support or opposition to HB1663, find the committee members contact info HERE and contact them prior to their meeting. ***

Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov

The Tennessee Conservative [By Rebecca Scott] –

Representative Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-District 61) presented House Bill 1632 (HB1632) to the House K-12 Subcommittee on Tuesday afternoon.

This bill “As introduced, gives a parent of a child who attends, or who is eligible to attend, a school operated by a local education agency or a public charter school standing to file a civil action against the LEA or public charter school in a chancery court of competent jurisdiction to enforce the Age-Appropriate Materials Act of 2022. – Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 38.”

Representative Bulso explained that the bill makes it clear that parents have a right to see to it that their local schools are abiding by the Age-Appropriate Materials Act that was passed in 2022. It makes provision for parents to take their Local Education Agency to court if the Act is violated.

Chairman Kirk Haston (R-Lobelville-District 72) allowed time for questions where Representative Sam McKenzie (D-Knoxville-District 15) voiced concerns mainly regarding the wording that allows for a parent whose child is simply eligible to attend, but does not in actuality attend the school, to file a civil action against their LEA.

McKenzie argued that any inappropriate materials would have no affect on a child who does not actually attend the school. Bulso responded that a parent who is considering sending a child to their local public school should be allowed to lodge a complaint if the school in question is not abiding by the law in place. Representative Mark White (R-Memphis-District 83) reiterated concerns regarding the wording of the bill.

McKenzie also argued that the passage of this bill would drastically increase “frivolous lawsuits” against LEAs.

Bulso responded that all cases presented to date have not been frivolous and that the language of the bill “does not change existing law.” This bill simply clarifies parental rights in regards to the Age-Appropriate Materials Act.

After discussion and an outburst by a disruptive audience member, Chairman Haston called for a voice vote in which he determined that the bill passed in subcommittee and would move forward to the House Education Administration Committee.

Because Chairman Haston chose to use a voice vote to hide the voting records of committee members from public scrutiny, we can only assume Chairman Haston supports HB1632 and is responsible for the bill passing. Chairman Haston could have used a transparent roll call vote, but opted for a voice vote to shield subcommittee members and himself from accountability and in this case, responsibility for the passage of this bill’s passage out of subcommittee.

According to a statement made by Representative Jody Barrett (R-Dickson-District 69) on the Mill Creek View Tennessee Podcast, all a legislator has to do in order to have their voice vote recorded is give a thumbs up or a thumbs down to the clerk. This means that it is very easy for legislators to put their vote on the record and create transparency with their constituents if they choose to.

For the voice vote on HB1632, only Democrat Sam McKenzie requested to be counted as voting NO.

We will continue to follow this bill as it works its way through the legislative process and report any and all updates on its progress.

Rebecca Scott is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. 

https://tennesseeconservativenews.com/support/You can reach Rebecca at Rebecca@tennesseeconservativenews.com