AN ACT to amend Chapter __ of the Public Acts of 2025 (1st Ex. Sess. – SB 6001 / HB 6004); and Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 10, Part 14 and Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 26, relative to background checks.
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Overview
This bill requires private schools that accept students using Tennessee's education freedom scholarships, individualized education accounts, or education savings accounts to conduct background checks on teachers and staff with student contact. Homeschoolers using these state-funded accounts would be affected if they operate as private schools or use these programs.
Why it matters: Homeschooling families who receive education savings accounts or similar vouchers may need to comply with background-check requirements if they are structured as or enroll under private-school status to access these funds.
Topic: esa_voucher_taxcredit · classifier confidence 72%
What this changes
Amends existing law
Law today: Tennessee law establishes education freedom scholarship programs, individualized education account programs, and education savings account programs that allow students to attend private schools. The bill does not specify what background check requirements currently exist for private schools participating in these programs.
If passed: This bill would require private schools that enroll students using education freedom scholarships, individualized education accounts, or education savings accounts to conduct background checks on teachers and other staff who have direct contact with children or access to school grounds. Homeschooling families using these state-funded education accounts would not be directly affected by teacher background check requirements, since homeschools do not typically employ staff with direct student contact in the same way private schools do.
AI-generated from the bill text — verify against the official text.
Likely supporters & opponents
Likely support
- Child-safety advocates — Background checks protect children by screening out individuals with histories of abuse or violence.
- Public-school accountability proponents — Requiring the same safety standards for scholarship-funded private schools ensures consistent child protection across all school settings using public money.
Likely opposition
- Private-school choice advocates — Additional compliance burdens and costs may discourage private schools from participating in choice programs or make tuition higher for families.
- School-choice organizations — Regulations that increase administrative burden on private schools undermine the flexibility and autonomy that make education choice programs attractive.
AI-inferred typical positions based on the bill’s substance — general stakeholder categories, not confirmed endorsements.
Should I support this?
Little direct impact
This bill targets private schools receiving scholarship funding, not homeschools themselves. Homeschooling families using education savings accounts or individualized education accounts would not face new background check obligations, since they do not employ school staff. The bill has no direct effect on homeschooling families' freedom, registration status, or educational flexibility.
An AI assessment from a Christian-family perspective — religious freedom, parental rights, and freedom in education — not legal or voting advice.
Official summary
As introduced, requires private schools that enroll recipients of an education freedom scholarship, students participating in the individualized education account program, or students participating in the education savings account program to conduct background checks prior to employing a teacher or person who will have direct contact with school children or access to school grounds when children are present. - Amends Chapter __ of the Public Acts of 2025 (1st Ex. Sess. – SB 6001 / HB 6004); and TCA Title 49, Chapter 10, Part 14 and Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 26.
Sponsors
- Raumesh Akbari (D)
Status timeline
- 2025-03-26Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education CommitteeS
- 2025-03-19Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/26/2025S
- 2025-03-19Action deferred in Senate Education Committee to 3/26/2025S
- 2025-03-12Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/19/2025S
- 2025-02-12Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education CommitteeS
- 2025-02-10Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationS
- 2025-02-06Filed for introductionS
H = House · S = Senate · A = Assembly