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The Tennessee Conservative Staff –
A bill that would require schools to inform parents if their child requests to be identified as transgender is making its way through the Tennessee legislature.
Senate Bill 1810 (SB1810), sponsored by Senator Paul Rose (R-Lauderdale/Shelby/Tipton-District 32), states that if a student requests an accommodation to affirm gender identity, then the LEA or public charter school must inform the parents of that request.
Additionally, it prohibits schools from hiding information or providing false information regarding the student’s gender identity or plan to transition to a gender that is different from the assigned sex at birth.
If schools do not abide by the law, it could result in legal action from the Attorney General, as well as civil lawsuits filed by the parents.
SB1810 has already passed through the full Senate, with 23 ayes and 6 nays, although not without opposition.
Senator Raumesh Akbari (D-Memphis-District 29) argued that the bill was an “additional barrier” on transgender students while others stated that it would damage trust between students and school employees.
The companion House Bill 2165 (HB2165) is sponsored by Representative Mary Littleton (R-Dickson-District 78).
HB2165 has already been heard by the House K-12 Subcommittee. It passed on a voice vote with only Representative Sam McKenzie (D-Knoxville-District 15) requesting to be counted as a vote against the bill.
It is set to be heard next by the House Education Administration Committee on March 27.
Anyone wishing to express support or opposition for this legislation should contact members of the House Education Administration Committee using the contact information provided below prior to that March 27th meeting.
Mark White (R) – Chairman – rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4415
William Slater (R) – Vice-Chairman – rep.william.slater@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2534
Charlie Baum (R) – rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6849
Gino Bulso (R) – rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6808
Ed Butler (R) – rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1260
Scott Cepicky (R) – rep.scott.cepicky@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3005
Monty Fritts (R) – rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-7658
Ron Gant (R) – rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6890
John Gillespie (R) – rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-8201
Kirk Haston (R) – rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0750
Chris Hurt (R) – rep.chris.hurt@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2134
Justin Lafferty (R) – rep.justin.lafferty@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4110
Harold Love, Jr (D) – rep.harold.love@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3831
Sam McKenzie (D) – rep.sam.mckenzie@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-0768
Antonio Parkinson (D) – rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3831
John Ragan (R) – rep.john.ragan@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4400
Bryan Richey (R) – rep.bryan.richey@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3560
Robert Stevens (R) – rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3830
Todd Warner (R) – rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4170
rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov, rep.william.slater@capitol.tn.gov, rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov, rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ed.butler@capitol.tn.gov, rep.scott.cepicky@capitol.tn.gov, rep.monty.fritts@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.gillespie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov, rep.justin.lafferty@capitol.tn.gov, rep.harold.love@capitol.tn.gov, rep.sam.mckenzie@capitol.tn.gov, rep.antonio.parkinson@capitol.tn.gov, rep.john.ragan@capitol.tn.gov, rep.bryan.richey@capitol.tn.gov, rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov, rep.todd.warner@capitol.tn.gov
