House Bill 1733, also known as Senate Bill 1774, aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning harassment, bullying, and related behaviors in educational settings. The bill redefines "bullying" to include acts by school employees or students that significantly disrupt a victim's educational experience, whether occurring on or off school property. It introduces new definitions for "school employee" and "victim," clarifying that a victim can be any student when the act is committed by a school employee, or another student when the act is committed by a student. Additionally, the bill mandates that teachers or school employees found guilty of harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyberbullying may face dismissal or suspension.

Furthermore, the bill requires all participating schools and private schools that enroll recipients to adopt policies prohibiting harassment, intimidation, bullying, or cyberbullying, ensuring these policies align with the standards set for school districts. The effective date for these provisions is set for July 1, 2026, applying to acts committed on or after that date. The amendments aim to create a safer educational environment by holding school employees accountable and establishing clear policies against bullying and harassment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 39-17-308(e), 39-17-308, 49-6-4503(b)(3), 49-6-4503, 49-5-501(7), 49-5-501
Amended with HA1217 -- 04/21/2026: 39-17-308(e), 39-17-308, 49-6-4503(b)(3), 49-6-4503, 49-5-501(7), 49-5-501
Amended with HA1217, HA0635 -- 04/22/2026: 39-17-308(e), 39-17-308, 49-6-4503(b)(3), 49-6-4503, 49-5-501(7), 49-5-501