reglab/statecodes huggingface dataset:
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-162 - Prohibition against residency of registered sexual offenders - Penalties

(a)
No person who is registered, or required to register, as a violent sexual offender or offender against children pursuant to the Tennessee Sexual Offender and Violent Sexual Offender Registration, Verification and Tracking Act of 2004, compiled in title 40, chapter 39, part 2, shall knowingly establish a primary or secondary residence or any other living accommodation in any public institution of higher education's on-campus student residence facilities, including dormitories and apartments.
(b)
A person who violates this section shall be subject to the penalties prescribed in §
40-39-208
.
Added by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 767, s 1, eff. 7/1/2016.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-163 - Possession and storage of firearms or firearms ammunition in accordance with section 39-17-1313 - Prohibition against disciplinary action

No public postsecondary institution shall take any adverse or disciplinary action against an employee or student of the postsecondary institution solely for such person's transportation and storage of a firearm or firearm ammunition in compliance with §
39-17-1313
while on or using a parking area located on property owned, used, or operated by the postsecondary institution.
Added by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 806, s 1, eff. 4/14/2016.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-165 - Protection of records related to alternative investments

(a)
The general assembly finds a public necessity in protecting specified records relating to the investment program of the state university and community college system and the University of Tennessee system.
(b)
(1)
Records of the state university and community college system and the University of Tennessee system relating to the name of an alternative investment, the name of an alternative investment manager, the amount invested in the alternative investment, or the most recent fiscal year-end value of an alternative investment shall be open to public inspection pursuant to title 10, chapter 7, part 5.
(2)
[Repealed effective July 1, 2021.]
(3)
Subdivision (b)(2) shall be repealed on July 1, 2021.
(c)
For purposes of this section:
(1)
"Alternative investment" includes, but is not limited to:
(A)
Any investment requiring an investor indicate if the investor qualifies as an accredited investor under Regulation D of the Securities Act of 1933 (
17 C.F.R. § 230.500
et. seq.);
(B)
Unregistered securities or funds offered under exemptions provided by
17 C.F.R. § 230.144(A)
,
15 U.S.C. § 80a-3(c)(1)
, or
15 U.S.C. § 80a-3(c)(7)
; or
(C)
A qualified purchaser under
15 U.S.C. § 80a-2(a)(51)
; and
(2)
"Public institution of higher education" means the University of Tennessee or the state university and community college systems.
(d)
Nothing in this section shall limit access to records by law enforcement agencies, courts, or other governmental agencies performing official functions.
Added by 2017 Tenn. Acts, ch. 285, s 1, eff. 5/4/2017.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-166 - Satisfaction of student debts and obligations required

(a)
As used in this section, "college system of Tennessee" means the community colleges and colleges of applied technology governed by the board of regents.
(b)
As used in this section, "state universities" means:
(1)
The University of Tennessee and all its several branches;
(2)
The University of Memphis;
(3)
Tennessee State University;
(4)
Austin Peay State University;
(5)
Middle Tennessee State University;
(6)
Tennessee Technological University; and
(7)
East Tennessee State University.
(c)
The state universities and the college system of Tennessee are authorized to issue diplomas, certificates of credit, or official transcripts only after the student involved has satisfied all debts or obligations owed to the college or university, including, but not limited to, its bookstores, libraries, food service centers, dormitories, infirmaries, or hospitals. The limitation of this subsection (c) shall not apply to debts of less than one hundred dollars ($100).
(d)
The limitation in subsection (c) does not apply to debts or obligations evidenced by notes or other written contracts providing for future payment, such as, but not limited to, loans authorized under federal or state education or student assistance acts.
(e)
Notwithstanding the limitation in subsection (c), the colleges in the college system of Tennessee shall issue a certificate of credit or official transcript for a student seeking admission to any college in that system if the student has entered a written agreement to satisfy the outstanding debt or obligation owed to the college issuing the certificate of credit or official transcript. Any certificate of credit or official transcript issued under this subsection (e) shall indicate that it is subject to an outstanding debt owed to the issuing college. The college receiving a certificate of credit or official transcript issued under this subsection (e) shall not subsequently issue a diploma, certificate of credit, or official transcript to that student until it receives proof that the student has satisfied the outstanding debt to the college that issued the certificate of credit or official transcript.
Acts 2018, ch. 739, § 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-167 - Appointment of administrative judges and hearing officers to conduct contested cases - Training - Waiver of right to contested case hearing

(a)
Public institutions of higher education are authorized to appoint the following persons as administrative judges and hearing officers to conduct contested cases under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act:
(1)
A person who is licensed to practice law and who is not employed as an attorney for the institution;
(2)
A former state, county, or municipal judge or a former federal judge or magistrate;
(3)
An employee of the institution who has been trained to conduct contested cases, including the training in subsection (c), but who does not provide legal representation to the institution; or
(4)
An employee of another public institution of higher education who has been trained to conduct contested cases, including the training in subsection (c).
(b)
An administrative judge or hearing officer appointed by a public institution of higher education pursuant to subsection (a) is subject to:
(1)
The disqualification provisions of §
4-5-302
; and
(2)
The conflict of interest provisions of §
4-5-303
.
(c)
No earlier than twelve (12) months prior to hearing a contested case under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act that involves sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, or stalking, an administrative judge or hearing officer shall complete training that satisfies the requirements of Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (
20 U.S.C. § 1681
), the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (
20 U.S.C. § 1092(f)
), and the federal regulations implementing those statutes, as amended.
(d)
In lieu of appointing an administrative judge or hearing officer to conduct a contested case pursuant to subsection (a), a public institution of higher education may make a request to the office of the secretary of state to have the contested case heard by an administrative judge or hearing officer employed in the office of the secretary of state pursuant to §
4-5-301(d)
.
(e)
Nothing in this section is intended to prohibit a student charged with a student disciplinary offense, or any other individual who has the right to a contested case hearing, from waiving the right to the hearing of a contested case under the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act; provided, that prior to waiving that right, the individual is informed in writing of the individual's rights under this section.
(f)
As used in this section:
(1)
"Contested case" has the meaning ascribed to that term by the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act; and
(2)
"Uniform Administrative Procedures Act" means the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, and rules of procedure for hearing contested cases promulgated in accordance with applicable rulemaking provisions.
Acts 2018 , ch. 980, § 6.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-169 - Annual report detailing higher education opportunities available to eligible incarcerated individuals

(a)
The department of correction shall, in partnership with the Tennessee higher education commission and the board of regents, develop and submit to the general assembly an annual report that details the higher education opportunities available to eligible incarcerated individuals in this state.
(b)
The report must include:
(1)
The number of eligible incarcerated individuals housed at each correctional facility who are participating in higher education opportunities;
(2)
The higher education opportunities available at each correctional facility, including the name of each institution of higher education providing higher education opportunities, along with a description of each course, field of study, or program provided by the institution of higher education;
(3)
The number of degrees annually conferred to eligible incarcerated individuals housed in a correctional facility, including the name of each institution of higher education conferring the degree;
(4)
Recommendations from the commissioner of correction, made in partnership with the executive director of the Tennessee higher education commission and the chancellor of the board of regents, to increase the higher education opportunities available to eligible incarcerated individuals housed in correctional facilities in this state; and
(5)
A plan to equip at least ten percent (10%) of eligible incarcerated individuals housed in correctional facilities in this state with a degree, diploma, or certificate by the year 2025 by increasing the availability of, and participation in, higher education opportunities provided by institutions of higher education.
(c)
The department shall transmit the report required under this section to the chairs of the judiciary and education committees of the senate and the criminal justice and education administration committees of the house of representatives, no later than January 1 of each year.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 64, s 97, eff. 3/29/2021.
Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 238, s 1, eff. 4/30/2019.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-171 - Homeless-student liaison - Plan to provide students access to housing resources

(a)
A degree-granting postsecondary educational institution, as defined in §
49-7-2003
, that has a campus in this state shall:
(1)
Designate a staff member who is employed in the financial aid office, or another appropriate office or department as determined by the institution, to serve as a homeless-student liaison. The homeless-student liaison is responsible for understanding the provisions pertaining to financial aid eligibility of homeless students, including eligibility as independent students under the Higher Education Act of 1965 (
20 U.S.C. § 1087vv
), and identifying services available and appropriate for students enrolled at the institution who fall under these categories. The homeless-student liaison shall assist homeless students who are enrolled in the institution in applying for and receiving federal and state financial aid and available services; and
(2)
If the institution offers housing resources, develop a plan to provide homeless students who are enrolled in the institution access to housing resources during and between academic terms. The plan must include granting homeless students first priority in housing placement and placing those students in housing facilities that remain open for occupation for the most days in a calendar year.
(b)
As used in this section, "homeless student" means a student under twenty-five (25) years of age who has been verified as a homeless child or youth, as defined in the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act (
42 U.S.C. § 11434a(2)
), at any time during the twenty-four (24) months immediately preceding the student's enrollment in, or at any time while enrolled in, a degree-granting postsecondary educational institution by:
(1)
A director or designee of a governmental or nonprofit agency that receives public or private funding to provide services to homeless persons;
(2)
An LEA liaison for homeless children and youth designated pursuant to
42 U.S.C. 11432(g)(1)(J)(ii)
, or a school social worker or counselor;
(3)
The director of a federal TRIO or Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs program, or a designee of the director; or
(4)
A financial aid administrator for a degree-granting postsecondary educational institution.
Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 266, s 1, eff. 7/1/2019.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-172 - Suicide prevention plan for students, faculty, and staff

(a)
Each state institution of higher education shall develop and implement a suicide prevention plan for students, faculty, and staff. The plan must:
(1)
Be developed in consultation with campus mental health professionals and suicide prevention experts;
(2)
Identify procedures related to suicide prevention, intervention, and postvention; and
(3)
Include a strategy to raise awareness of the mental health and crisis support services and resources, such as the contact information for suicide prevention and crisis lifelines, that are available to students, faculty, and staff.
(b)
Each state institution of higher education may seek assistance in developing a suicide prevention plan from an organization that engages in a variety of initiatives to improve crisis services and advance suicide prevention, such as the Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network or a successor organization, and may seek information from such an organization for information on the development of training programs pursuant to §
63-1-125(c)(1)
.
(c)
Each state institution of higher education shall provide the suicide prevention plan to students, faculty, and staff at least one (1) time each semester.
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 190,s 4, eff. 7/1/2023.
Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 455, s 1, eff. 4/3/2019.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-173 - Effect of failure to fund state-mandated discount or waiver program

(a)
An act of the general assembly enacted after January 1, 2021, that mandates a discount or waiver of the tuition or fees charged at public institutions of higher education in this state is unenforceable against an institution affected by the act in any fiscal year for which the general assembly fails to appropriate a sum sufficient to fully fund the discount or waiver program at the institution.
(b)
If the general assembly fails to appropriate a sum sufficient to fully fund a discount or waiver program created by an act of the general assembly enacted after January 1, 2021, at a public institution of higher education in a fiscal year, then that institution is not required to make the discount or waiver available to students in the academic year for which the institution did not receive sufficient funding.
(c)
This section does not affect:
(1)
An act of the general assembly that mandates a discount or waiver of the tuition or fees charged at public institutions of higher education that was enacted on or before January 1, 2021; or
(2)
A scholarship, grant, or financial aid program.
(d)
The 112th general assembly recognizes that Article II, § 12 of the Constitution of Tennessee prevents this or another general assembly from statutorily binding a future general assembly. Therefore, this general assembly acknowledges that this section is legally binding only for the duration of the 112th general assembly. However, each future general assembly is discouraged from enacting legislation after January 1, 2023, that mandates a discount or waiver of the tuition or fees charged at public institutions of higher education unless the general assembly annually appropriates a sum sufficient to fully fund the discount or waiver program at each affected institution.
Added by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 120,s 1, eff. 4/13/2021.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-174 - Annual report for state-mandated discount or waiver program

(a)
As used in this section, "state-mandated discount or waiver program" means a discount or waiver of the tuition or fees charged at public institutions of higher education in this state, as required by an act of the general assembly.
(b)
Each public institution of higher education shall annually report:
(1)
The costs to the institution of providing each state-mandated discount or waiver program;
(2)
The number of students at the institution participating in each state-mandated discount or waiver program; and
(3)
The information described in subdivisions (b)(1) and (b)(2) projected over the next ten (10) fiscal years.
(c)
The report must be submitted to the Tennessee higher education commission, the office of legislative budget analysis, and the chairs of the education committees of the senate and the house of representatives by March 1, 2022, and by each March 1 thereafter. A copy of the report must be filed with the legislative reference and law library and with the speaker of the house of representatives under §
3-1-123
.
Added by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 120, s 2, eff. 4/13/2021.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-175 - Communication of immunization requirements and exemption information

Any communication provided to students or parents by a public institution of higher education regarding immunization requirements must include information on the grounds for any exemption from the immunization requirements. The exemption information and immunization requirements must be:
(1)
Provided in the same font size and style; and
(2)
Located on the same page of the written or digital communication.
Added by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 369,s 2, eff. 7/1/2021.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-179 - Foster care youth outreach liaison pilot program

(a)
The department of children's services, working jointly with the Tennessee higher education commission, the board of regents, and public institutions of higher education, shall establish a foster care youth outreach liaison pilot program at a minimum of five (5) public institutions of higher education.
(b)
The purpose of the liaison is to serve as:
(1)
A knowledgeable source of information for youth who are in foster care, participating in extension of foster care, or are former foster youth regarding existing resources at the higher education institution; and
(2)
A point of contact between the department of children's services and the higher education institution regarding the special needs of these youth in order to increase retention and graduation among this population.
(c)
The department of children's services, working jointly with the Tennessee higher education commission, the board of regents, and public institutions of higher education, shall establish the scope and duties of the liaisons in the program, including the requisite qualifications, training, or education for serving as a liaison. A liaison may be an employee of the higher education institution.
(d)
The pilot program terminates on June 30, 2024. While the program is in effect, the department of children's services, working jointly with the Tennessee higher education commission, the board of regents, and public institutions of higher education, shall evaluate the success of the program and, on or before January 1, 2024, provide a recommendation to the education committees of the senate and the house of representatives regarding whether the program should be extended or expanded.
Added by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 547,s 2, eff. 5/26/2021.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-180 - Males prohibited from participating in public higher education sports designated for females

(a)
(1)
Intercollegiate or intramural athletic teams or sports that are designated for "females," "women," or "girls" and that are sponsored, sanctioned, or operated by a public institution of higher education or by a private institution of higher education whose students or teams compete against public institutions of higher education shall not be open to students of the male sex.
(2)
Subdivision (a)(1) does not restrict the eligibility of a student to participate in an intercollegiate or intramural athletic team or sport designated for "males," "men," or "boys" or designated as "coed" or "mixed."
(b)
For purposes of this section, an institution of higher education shall rely upon the sex listed on the student's original birth certificate, if the birth certificate was issued at or near the time of birth. If a birth certificate provided by a student is not the student's original birth certificate issued at or near the time of birth or does not indicate the student's sex, then the student must provide other evidence indicating the student's sex.
(c)
A government entity, a licensing or accrediting organization, or an athletic association or organization shall not:
(1)
Accept a complaint, open an investigation, or otherwise take an adverse action against an institution of higher education for maintaining separate intercollegiate or intramural athletic teams or sports for students of the female sex; or
(2)
Retaliate or take an adverse action against a student who reports a violation of this section to an employee or representative of the institution of higher education, athletic association, or organization, or to a state or federal agency with oversight of the institution of higher education.
(d)
Each institution of higher education shall adopt and enforce a policy to ensure compliance with this section.
Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1005, s 2, eff. 7/1/2022.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-181 - Definition of antisemitism used in determining whether alleged act occurring on premises of institution of higher education was motivated by antisemitic intent

(a)
If a state governmental entity or an institution of higher education receives a complaint from a person who alleges that antisemitism has occurred on the premises of an institution of higher education, or through electronic outreach from an institution of higher education, then the respective state governmental entity or institution of higher education shall take into consideration the working definition of antisemitism adopted by the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) on May 26, 2016, including the "contemporary examples of antisemitism," in determining whether the alleged act was motivated by antisemitic intent.
(b)
(1)
This section does not diminish or infringe upon rights protected under Article I, § 3 of the Constitution of Tennessee or the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.
(2)
This section shall not be construed to conflict with other federal or state discrimination laws.
(3)
This section does not alter the evidentiary requirements pursuant to which a state governmental entity or an institution of higher education determines that conduct, including harassment, amounts to actionable discrimination.
Acts 2022, ch. 1075, § 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-182 - Save Tennessee Students Act

(a)
This section and §
49-6-1904
are known and may be cited as the "Save Tennessee Students Act."
(b)
(1)
If a public institution of higher education issues new student identification cards to students enrolled in the institution, then the institution shall include on the cards:
(A)
The telephone number for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline; or
(B)
The social media handle, telephone number, or text number for at least one (1) additional crisis resource selected by the institution, which may include the crisis text line or, if available, a local suicide prevention hotline.
(2)
This subsection (b):
(A)
Applies to student identification cards purchased by a public institution of higher education on or after July 1, 2023; and
(B)
Does not apply to:
(i)
Student identification cards purchased by a public institution of higher education before July 1, 2023; or
(ii)
Digital student identification cards.
(c)
Each public institution of higher education shall post the telephone number for the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and the social media handle, telephone number, or text number for at least one (1) additional crisis resource selected by the institution, which may include the crisis text line or, if available, a local suicide prevention hotline in a conspicuous place on each campus operated by the institution.
(d)
Each public institution of higher education shall create and feature a webpage on the institution's website or a mobile application that contains information dedicated solely to the mental health resources available to the institution's students.
Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 190, s 1, eff. 7/1/2023.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-183 - Postsecondary institutions - Limitations on accessing social media apps based in the People's Republic of China

(a)
A public postsecondary institution that provides internet access to students, faculty, staff, or the general public shall not allow an individual to access a social media platform using the institution's network if the platform is operated or hosted by a company based in the People's Republic of China. This section applies to internet services provided by an institution through a hard-wired or wireless network connection.
(b)
This section does not apply to institutions or employees of such institutions if downloading, accessing, or using such a social media platform is necessary to perform:
(1)
Law enforcement activities;
(2)
Investigatory functions to carry out official duties for bona fide law enforcement, investigative, or public safety purposes; or
(3)
Audit, compliance, or legal functions of the institution.
Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 152, s 1, eff. 4/13/2023.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-184 - Prohibitions on mandatory implicit bias training - Section definitions

(a)
A public institution of higher education, shall not:
(1)
Require a faculty member or other employee of the institution to complete or participate in implicit bias training; or
(2)
Take an adverse employment action against a faculty member or other employee of the institution for the faculty member's or employee's failure or refusal to participate in implicit bias training.
(b)
As used in this section, "implicit bias training" means a training or other educational program designed to expose an individual to biases that the training's or educational program's developer or designer presumes the individual to unconsciously, subconsciously, or unintentionally possess that predispose the individual to be unfairly prejudiced in favor of or against a thing, person, or group to adjust the individual's patterns of thinking in order to eliminate the individual's unconscious bias or prejudice.
Added by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 438, s 2, eff. 5/17/2023.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 1 - MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-185) › Section 49-7-185 - Accreditation

(a)
(1)
Each governing board of a public institution of higher education in this state shall regularly update the institution's policies and practices regarding institutional accreditation to conform with changes made by the United States department of education or by the United States congress.
(2)
By December 31, 2024, each governing board of a public institution of higher education in this state shall identify and determine the institutional accrediting agencies or associations eligible to serve as an accreditor. Such institutional accrediting agencies or associations must be recognized by the database created and maintained by the United States department of education.
(3)
By December 31, 2024, each governing board of a public institution of higher education in this state shall update the institution's policies and practices regarding accreditation to ensure that the institution may freely choose to pursue accreditation by any accreditor recognized by the United States department of education for the kinds of programs offered by the institution.
(b)
An accrediting agency or association shall not compel a public institution of higher education in this state to violate any state law. Any adverse action taken against a public institution of higher education in this state based, in whole or in part, on the institution's compliance with any state law constitutes a violation of this section that may be enforced in accordance with this subsection (b), but only to the extent that the state law is not preempted by a federal law recognizing the necessity of the accreditation standard or requirement. A public institution of higher education in this state that is negatively affected by a violation of this section may bring a civil action against the accrediting agency or association in a court of competent jurisdiction in this state.
(c)
If an accrediting agency or association violates subsection (b), then the governing board of the public institution of higher education shall notify the general assembly in writing within thirty (30) calendar days of the violation.
Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 868,s 1, eff. 5/1/2024.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-201 - Creation

In order to achieve coordination and unity in the program of public higher education, there is created the Tennessee higher education commission, called the commission in this part.
Acts 1967, ch. 179, § 1; T.C.A., § 49-4201.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-203 - Schools within commission's jurisdiction - Contracts with private schools

(a)
The commission's studies and recommendations shall encompass the programs and authorities of the University of Tennessee, Tennessee Technological University, Austin Peay State University, Tennessee State University, the University of Memphis, East Tennessee State University, Middle Tennessee State University, the community colleges and the state's colleges of applied technology.
(b)
(1)
The commission shall consider Tennessee's private institutions of higher education in its continuous studies of the immediate and future needs of the state in the area of higher education.
(2)
These studies shall consider the place of the private institutions in relation to the public institutions.
(3)
If these studies show that accredited private institutions in this state can provide either the facility or program needs of the state, the commission is authorized to contract with accredited private institutions in this state for the provision of those educational programs and facilities that will serve to meet the needs of the people of the state.
Acts 1967, ch. 179, § 4; impl. am. Acts 1969, ch. 302, § 1; 1978, ch. 670, § 1; 1978, ch. 907, § 1; T.C.A., §§ 49-4204, 49-4214; Acts 1994, ch. 538, § 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-205 - Staff

(a)
(1)
The commission is empowered to employ an executive director, define the executive director's duties and, within budgetary limitations, fix the executive director's compensation.
(2)
The executive director shall serve at the pleasure of the commission.
(3)
The executive director shall have the educational preparation and experience that qualifies the executive director, in the commission's judgment, to understand and evaluate the problems and needs of the state's institutions of higher learning and to direct the studies of the commission.
(b)
Within budgetary limitations, and subject to the approval of the commissioner of human resources, the executive director may employ other professional and staff employees necessary to efficiently discharge the duties of the agency.
(c)
The executive director and all other employees shall be reimbursed for travel expenses in accordance with the comprehensive travel regulations promulgated by the department of finance and administration and approved by the attorney general and reporter.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 666,s 1, eff. 1/1/2019.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 296,s 27, eff. 4/29/2013.
Acts 1967, ch. 179, § 6; 1968, ch. 565, § 1; 1976, ch. 806, § 1(77); T.C.A., §§ 49-4206, 49-4210; Acts 2012, ch. 986, § 20.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-206 - Rights and status of other bodies preserved

(a)
(1)
The University of Tennessee shall retain its identity and status as a legal entity, a body politic and corporate and as one of the state's federal land-grant institutions.
(2)
Except as expressly provided in this part, its board of trustees shall retain and exercise all the authority, rights, powers and duties, express or implied, vested in it by legislative charter and enactments and other applicable laws. Nothing in this part shall be construed to deprive the board of the authority, rights, powers and duties conferred upon it by law in the government of the institutions, branches, colleges, divisions and departments now under its control, except those duties that by this part are expressly vested in the commission.
(b)
Except for the powers that are vested in the commission by this part, nothing in this part shall be construed to deprive the board of regents and the state university boards of the authority, rights, powers, and duties conferred upon them by law, express or implied, in the government, control, and operation of their respective institutions.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 602,s 16, eff. 3/23/2018.
Acts 1967, ch. 179, §§ 12, 13; impl. am. Acts 1969, ch. 302, § 1; impl. am. Acts 1972, ch. 838 § 8; T.C.A., §§ 49-4208, 49-4209; Acts 1994, ch. 538, § 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-207 - [Repealed]

Repealed by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1044, s 1, eff. 7/1/2022.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 790, Secs.s 14, s 16 eff. 4/20/2018.
Amended by 2016 Tenn. Acts, ch. 868, s 4, Sec.s 16 eff. 10/1/2016.
Acts 1985, ch. 327, § 1; 1989, ch. 425, §§ 1, 2; 1992, ch. 1026, § 1; 2003 , ch. 255, § 1; 2004, ch. 831, § 1; 2006, ch. 913, § 2.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-208 - Program - Recognition of university students for community involvement

(a)
The executive director of the commission shall develop, implement and publicize a program to recognize university students who have a record of outstanding community involvement. The program shall honor students at both public and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities who have displayed a high level of community service, including volunteer work, community organization, public service, charitable service and leadership roles in these areas. The executive director shall conduct an annual program at which outstanding students are publicly recognized for community service. Nominations for recognition may be received from college and university administrators and teachers, students or members of the public. The executive director shall report the names and accomplishments of those recognized to the governor, general assembly, and press.
(b)
The award shall be known as the Representative Harold Love Outstanding Community Involvement Award.
Acts 1991, ch. 26, § 1; 1997, ch. 92, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-209 - Program - Recognition of college and university teachers for community involvement

(a)
The executive director of the commission shall develop, implement and publicize a program to recognize university teachers who have a record of outstanding community involvement. The program shall honor teachers at both public and private two-year and four-year colleges and universities who have displayed a high level of community service, including volunteer work, community organization, public service, charitable service and leadership roles in these areas. The executive director shall conduct an annual program at which outstanding teachers are publicly recognized for community service. Nominations for recognition may be received from college and university administrators and teachers, students or members of the public. The executive director shall report the names and accomplishments of those recognized to the governor, general assembly and press.
(b)
The award shall be known as the Representative Harold Love Outstanding Community Involvement Award.
Acts 1991, ch. 112, § 1; 1997, ch. 92, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-211 - Financial disclosure of student activity fees

(a)
Each public university and community college shall report to the Tennessee higher education commission, on an annual basis, an accounting of student activity fees.
(b)
The Tennessee higher education commission shall publish, as part of the Tennessee Postsecondary Education Fact Book, a financial disclosure statement for student activity fees.
(c)
The financial disclosure statement shall account for the student activity fees on a campus-by-campus basis. At a minimum the following information shall also be included with the financial disclosure statement:
(1)
The number of undergraduate and graduate students enrolled;
(2)
Source of any student activity fees according to the number of students enrolled as undergraduate or graduate students;
(3)
The expenditure of the student activity fees; and
(4)
Funds not expended during the disclosure period.
(d)
[Deleted by 2021 amendment.]
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 183, Secs.s9, s10 eff. 7/1/2021.
Amended by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 602, s 17, eff. 3/23/2018.
Added by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 429, s 1, eff. 7/1/2013.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-212 - Code of ethics - Material violation - Hearing - Vacancy

(a)
The commission shall establish and adopt a code of ethics that shall apply to and govern the conduct of all appointed members of the commission.
(b)
Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, by a two-thirds (2/3) vote of its membership, the commission may remove any appointed member of the commission for a material violation of the code of ethics.
(c)
A commission vote to remove one of its members shall only be taken after the accused member has been afforded a due process contested case hearing in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, and a finding has been made that the member did violate the commission's code of ethics.
(d)
If a member is removed in accordance with this section, the position shall be considered vacant and the vacancy shall be filled as provided by law.
Acts 2003, ch. 327, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-213 - Development of institute of public health

The Tennessee higher education commission, in consultation with the department of health, the University of Tennessee system, the Tennessee board of regents and private colleges and universities in this state shall develop an institute of public health.
Acts 2007, ch. 42, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-214 - Food insecurity report

On or before December 31, 2023, the executive director of the Tennessee higher education commission shall submit a report to the governor, the speaker of the senate, and the speaker of the house of representatives that identifies issues of food insecurity among students at public institutions of higher education in this state and identifies and describes the efforts of the institutions to address issues of food insecurity among students. The report may be submitted by electronic means.
Repealed by 2018 Tenn. Acts, ch. 628, s 1, eff. 4/2/2018.
Acts 2010 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 3, § 12.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-215 - Audit of efficiencies

An audit of the Tennessee higher education commission, the University of Tennessee board of trustees and the board of regents may be conducted by the comptroller of the treasury. If such audit is conducted, the audit shall specifically focus on overlap in mission, cost inefficiencies, management practices and the restructuring of higher education stipulated by the implementation of Acts 2010 (1st Ex. Sess.), ch. 3. If such audit is conducted, the audit shall be submitted to the education committee of the senate and the education administration committee of the house of representatives for review and recommendation.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 64, s 99, eff. 3/29/2021.
Amended by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 345, s 113, eff. 5/10/2019.
Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 182, s 67, eff. 4/17/2015.
Acts 2010 (1st Ex.Sess.), ch. 3, § 13.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-216 - Confidential data or records of students enrolled in TICUA institutions

(a)
When the Tennessee Independent Colleges and Universities Association (TICUA) or any of its member institutions provide to the Tennessee higher education commission, another state agency, or a third party acting on behalf of the state, confidential student data or records concerning students enrolled in TICUA institutions, neither TICUA nor a member institution shall be held liable in any court of law for any breach of confidentiality of such information, if the breach resulted from actions of the commission, another state agency, a third party acting on behalf of the state, or their staff and not from the transmission of the data or records by TICUA or its member institutions before the data or records reached the commission.
(b)
This section shall apply to any student data or records that are confidential under any law of this state or any federal law, including, but not limited to, the federal Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (
20 U.S.C. § 1232g
).
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 136,s 1, eff. 4/12/2013.
Acts 2010, ch. 650, § 1.
2023 Tennessee Code › Title 49 - EDUCATION (§§ 49-1-NEW — 49-50-1703) › Chapter 7 - POSTSECONDARY AND HIGHER EDUCATION GENERALLY (§§ 49-7-NEW — 49-7-3003) › Part 2 - TENNESSEE HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION (§§ 49-7-201 — 49-7-218) › Section 49-7-218 - [Repealed]

Repealed by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 183, s 11, eff. 7/1/2021.
Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 280, s 1, eff. 5/2/2019.