House Bill 1269 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, by introducing a new section that addresses the use of pronouns by teachers and employees in public schools and local education agencies (LEAs). The bill asserts that educators retain their constitutional rights to freedom of speech and expression while at work, emphasizing that the use of pronouns is a matter of free speech. It stipulates that teachers and employees are not required to use a student's preferred pronoun if it does not align with the student's biological sex, and they cannot face civil liability or adverse employment actions for using pronouns consistent with biological sex instead of the student's preferred pronoun.

Additionally, the bill protects public schools and LEAs from civil liability when their staff refer to students using pronouns that correspond with the students' biological sex, regardless of the students' preferred pronouns. This legislation aims to clarify the rights of educators regarding pronoun usage and to ensure that they are not compelled to affirm beliefs they do not hold. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law, prioritizing public welfare.