Present law specifies that the public schools are free to all persons residing in Tennessee who are above five years of age, or who will become five years of age on or before August 15. Subject to certain exceptions described below, this bill requires a parent or guardian who wishes to enroll their student into an LEA or public charter school to submit one of the following documents to the LEA or public charter school upon enrollment of the student: (1) A copy of the student's birth certificate that lists a place of birth within the U.S. or legal territories; (2) A copy of a current voter registration issued to the parent or guardian and the parent's or guardian's valid driver license or photo identification license; (3) A copy of a U.S. passport issued to the student, parent, or guardian; or (4) A copy of a veterans affairs identification card, a U.S. military identification, or a DD-214 issued to the parent or guardian. A parent or guardian of a student will not be required to submit a document described in (1) – (4) to an LEA or public charter school if the parent or guardian: (1) Previously submitted a document described in (1) – (4) to the LEA or public charter school; (2) Is employed by the LEA or public charter school; or (3) Pays the LEA or public charter school in an amount equal to the amount representing the per pupil state and local funds generated and required through the TISA formula for the LEA in which the participating student resides. This bill requires LEAs and public charter schools to maintain a record that a document described in (1) – (4) was submitted upon registration of a student.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-6-3001