Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Olivia Lupia] –
A bill amending the state teacher code of ethics to bar educators who engage in sexually related behaviors with former students will become Tennessee law after the Senate concurred with an amendment from the House, putting both chambers of the General Assembly in final agreement on the legislation.
SB2106 by Sen. Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro-District 13) would subject educators who engage in sexually prohibited behaviors with former students who had contact with that educator in the last 12 months to disciplinary action by the state board of education.
“Sexually related behavior” is defined as including, but is not limited to, making sexual jokes or sexual remarks; sexual innuendo; pressuring the student or former student for dates or sexual favors; inappropriate physical touching; and committing a sexual offense or violent sexual offense.
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.
The Senate originally passed SB2106 on March 2 and the House followed with the companion bill, HB1973 on April 19, but it included an amendment slightly different from SB2106, so the legislation had to be resent to the Senate for their reapproval.
On Thursday, the Senate picked up the legislation again and unanimously voted 30-0 to adopt the House’s amendment which clarified the definition of “former student” but did not otherwise substantially alter the bill.
The foremost authorities in the United States on the topic of sexual misconduct at the hands of educators say that predators target children and teens with behavior that crosses boundaries, but their fellow teachers rarely report such incidents, so this bill aims to curb some of that predatory conduct.
With the Senate’s concurrence to the House language, SB2106 will now move to the Governor for signature into law.
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.
