House Bill 1507, known as the "Tennessee School Safety Act of 2026," amends Tennessee Code Annotated to enhance school safety protocols regarding students who have been expelled for threatening mass violence. The bill introduces a new requirement for students who have been expelled on two or more occasions for such offenses. Specifically, it mandates that these students must undergo a psychiatric examination conducted by a qualified medical professional to assess whether they pose a threat to the school environment before they can be allowed to return to school or participate in school-related activities.

The bill also includes a reorganization of existing legal language, designating the previous subdivision (6) as subdivision (7) and inserting the new subdivision (6) that outlines the psychiatric examination requirement. The director of schools or the head of a public charter school is prohibited from permitting the student to return until they receive documentation confirming that the student is no longer considered a threat. This legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, emphasizing the importance of ensuring a safe educational environment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-6-3401(g), 49-6-3401