Senate Bill 1608, also known as House Bill 1868, amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, to establish a tuition and fee waiver for dependent children of law enforcement officers and firefighters who have died in the line of duty. The bill defines key terms such as "dependent child," "firefighter," "law enforcement officer," and "public institution of higher education." It stipulates that residents under the age of twenty-three who are dependent children of deceased law enforcement officers or firefighters are entitled to a waiver of tuition, maintenance fees, student activity fees, and any required registration or matriculation fees at public institutions of higher education.

To qualify for the waiver, dependent children must provide official certification from the relevant government agency confirming the death of the law enforcement officer or firefighter while performing their duties. The bill also clarifies that once a dependent child is declared eligible for the waiver, they remain eligible until they either earn an undergraduate degree, accumulate 135 semester hours, or attempt 150 semester hours. Additionally, public institutions are required to post information about the waiver on their websites. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, and will apply to the 2026-2027 academic year and subsequent years.