TN House And Senate Consider Bill To Protect School Employees From Coerced Speech
Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Jason Vaughn] –
Tennessee lawmakers are considering a bill that would protect school employees from repercussions for refusing to use students’ preferred pronouns instead of the ones that match their biological sex. It will appear before the House on April 25 and in Senate Committee on April 26.
Senate Bill 2777, sponsored by Senator Mike Bell (R-Riceville-District 9), states that no employee of a public school or local education association can be required to refer to a student by preferred pronouns that do not match the student’s biological sex. It also protects those employees from “civil liability and adverse employment action” as a result of that.
The Fiscal Committee noted that this legislation could put the state in jeopardy of losing out on roughly $5 billion in federal funding. In June 2021, the U.S. Department of Education included discrimination based on gender identity as a form of illegal sex discrimination. If SB2777 is considered to be a violation of Title IX, that federal funding could be restricted.
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Companion House Bill 2633, sponsored by Representative Mark Cochran (R-Englewood-District 23), is scheduled for the House regular calendar on April 25. You can find your representative HERE.
While presenting before the House Education Administration Committee, Cochran noted that the bill is about protecting free speech for educators.
“Obviously teachers in schools can and should be required to act with professionalism and treat all of their students with dignity and respect. Nothing in this bill changes that obligation. Teachers and public school employees, however, cannot be forced to contradict their core beliefs or to say things they don’t believe,” Cochran said.
He continued, “Freedom of speech and religious exercise includes the freedom not to speak messages against our core beliefs. We are not promoting bullying, but we are protecting against coerced speech, and that is protected under the constitution.”
The bill is set to be heard by the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on Tuesday, April 26.
If you are in favor of this bill and would like to express your support, contact the Republican members of the committee as listed below prior to that April 26th meeting.
Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee – Republican Members
Bo Watson (chair) (R) – sen.bo.watson@capitol.tn.gov – 615) 741-3227
John Stevens (1st vice-chair) (R)- sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4576
Joey Hensley (2nd vice-chair) (R)- sen.joey.hensley@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3100
Todd Gardenhire (R)- sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6682
Ferrell Haile (R)- sen.ferrell.haile@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1999
Jack Johnson (R)- sen.jack.johnson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2495
Jon Lundberg (R)- sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5761
Dawn White (R)- sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6853
Ken Yager (R)- sen.ken.yager@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1449
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
