House Bill 61 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Section 49-6-3009, to include a new provision regarding student attendance records. The bill allows for the issuance of subpoenas for a student's attendance record, which must encompass all previous school years attended at public schools. This process will be conducted in compliance with the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and other applicable privacy laws, ensuring that student privacy is maintained while allowing for necessary legal access to attendance information.

The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, emphasizing the importance of student attendance in legal proceedings while balancing the need for privacy protections. This legislative change aims to streamline the process of obtaining attendance records in cases where they are relevant to complaints or referrals, thereby enhancing the ability of authorities to address issues related to student attendance effectively.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-6-3009