2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 6 - ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION (§§ 49-6-101 — 49-6-8106) › Part 40 - STUDENT AND EMPLOYEE SAFE ENVIRONMENT ACT OF 1996 (§§ 49-6-NEW — 49-6-4009) › Section 49-6-NEW - [Newly enacted section not yet numbered]

(a)
Each local board of education and public charter school governing body shall adopt a comprehensive code of conduct for each school under the authority of the local board of education or public charter school governing body that describes the types of behavior expected from visitors entering on school grounds. Each code of visitor conduct must emphasize the importance of:
(1)
Appropriate language;
(2)
Respect for the person and property of others; and
(3)
Establishing and maintaining a safe, secure, and peaceful educational setting that promotes learning and positive character development.
(b)
The codes of conduct adopted by a local board of education or public charter school governing body pursuant to this section must describe the types of behavior expected from a visitor entering on school grounds and the consequences of a visitor's failure to adhere to the standards. The principal of each school must apply the school's code of conduct for visitors uniformly, without partiality or discrimination.
(c)
Each local board of education and public charter school governing body may elect to adopt different codes of conduct for visitors applicable to:
(1)
Different classes of schools, such as elementary, middle, junior high, and senior high schools under the jurisdiction of the local board of education or public charter school governing body; and
(2)
Different categories of visitors entering on school grounds, taking into consideration the reason for the visitor's presence on school grounds.
(d)
Each local board of education and public charter school governing body shall, for each school under the authority of the board or governing body:
(1)
Post a copy of the code of conduct adopted for visitors to the school on the board's or governing body's website, and on the school's website;
(2)
Supply a copy of the code of conduct adopted for visitors to the school to all teachers, counselors, administrative staff, and school employees;
(3)
Post the code of conduct adopted for visitors to the school, along with the telephone number of a member of the school's administration who can answer questions regarding the school's code of conduct for visitors, prominently at each school entrance; and
(4)
Provide parents and guardians of students enrolled at the school with a printed copy of the school's code of conduct for visitors, along with the telephone number of a member of the school's administration who can answer questions regarding the code of conduct for visitors, and require that the student's parent or guardian acknowledge that the parent or guardian has read and understands the code of conduct for visitors that will be enforced at the school. The acknowledgement required under this subdivision (d)(4) may be provided during an initial enrollment or student registration period.
(e)
Before adopting a code of conduct for visitors pursuant to this section, each local board of education and public charter school governing body shall submit the proposed code of conduct to an attorney licensed to practice law in this state to review its legality and constitutionality. A local board of education or public charter school governing body shall not adopt a code of conduct for visitors unless the code of conduct includes a statement from the board or governing body that the code of conduct has been reviewed for its legality and constitutionality by an attorney, as required in this subsection (e), and includes the name and board of professional responsibility number for the attorney.
Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 810,s 1, eff. 4/29/2024.