House Bill 1701 mandates that each local education agency (LEA) and public charter school in Tennessee install and maintain a video camera surveillance system in every special education classroom. The purpose of this system is to enhance student safety by continuously monitoring students, teachers, and staff during the provision of special education or related services. However, the implementation of this surveillance is contingent upon obtaining written consent from the parents of a majority of the students in the classroom.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that any photographs or video footage collected can only be viewed by the parents of the students featured in the recordings, in compliance with relevant privacy laws. Each local board of education and public charter school governing body is required to adopt a policy regarding the maintenance duration of such footage. The bill defines key terms such as "parent," "special education classroom," and "student" to clarify its provisions. The act will take effect upon becoming law for policy development, while the full provisions will be effective starting July 1, 2026, applying to the 2026-2027 school year and beyond.