Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill amending the Tennessee teacher code of ethics to bar educators from engaging in sexually related behaviors with prior students has passed its House subcommittee and will now head to the full House Education Committee for consideration.
HB1973 by Rep. Mark White (R-Memphis-District 83) would subject any teacher who engages in sexual conduct with a former student who had contact with that educator in the last 12 months to disciplinary action by the state board of education.
In the legislation, “sexually related behavior” is generally defined to mean any sexual remarks, teasing, or innuendo, pressuring the student for dates or sexual favors, inappropriate touching like groping or kissing, threatening physical harm, and committing a sexual offense.
A “former student” is defined as an individual, minor or non-minor, who graduated or withdrew from the Local Education Agency (LEA) or school at which the “educator taught, served as an administrator, performed any official duties as an educator, or was otherwise employed or served as a volunteer in a teaching or non-teaching role within the twelve month period immediately preceding the first instance of sexually related behavior reported for the educator to the state board of education.”
Should an educator violate these provisions, it must be reported to the state board of education and would constitute a basis for license discipline which could ultimately range in consequence from a formal reprimand to revocation of the license.
In the House Education Administration Subcommittee meeting last week there were no questions or comments on the bill, and it received a unanimous 5-0 vote in favor.
The Senate companion, SB2016, has already passed the full Senate and awaits the House to finish their version.
HB1793 now advances to the House Education Committee. If you wish to contact the committee members with thoughts on this legislation, use the information below:
House Education Committee– HB1973 to be heard on Tuesday, March 10
HB1793 prohibits educators from sexual behavior with prior students.
Rep.mark.white@capitol.tn.gov; rep.kevin.raper@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jody.barrett@capitol.tn.gov; rep.charlie.baum@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gino.bulso@capitol.tn.gov; rep.scott.cepicky@capitol.tn.gov; rep.ronnie.glynn@capitol.tn.gov; rep.yusuf.hakeem@capitol.tn.gov; rep.kirk.haston@capitol.tn.gov; rep.tim.hicks@capitol.tn.gov; rep.chris.hurt@capitol.tn.gov; rep.gloria.johnson@capitol.tn.gov; rep.renea.jones@capitol.tn.gov; rep.aron.maberry@capitol.tn.gov; rep.sam.mckenzie@capitol.tn.gov; rep.jay.reedy@capitol.tn.gov; rep.lee.reeves@capitol.tn.gov; rep.william.slater@capitol.tn.gov; rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Olivia Lupia is a political refugee from Colorado who now calls Tennessee home. A proud follower of Christ, she views all political happenings through a Biblical lens and aims to utilize her knowledge and experience to educate and equip others. Olivia is an outspoken conservative who has run for local office, managed campaigns, and been highly involved with state & local GOPs, state legislatures, and other grassroots organizations and movements. Olivia can be reached at olivia@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
