House Bill 1834, also known as the "Tennessee Religious Freedom Act," amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, to affirm the right of local board of education members to open school board meetings with a personal prayer. The bill introduces a new provision in Section 49-2-203(b) that allows a board member to lead a prayer at the beginning of a meeting, provided that attendance and participation in the prayer are voluntary and that no individual is coerced or harassed to participate.

This legislation reflects the Tennessee General Assembly's commitment to religious freedom and aligns with recent Supreme Court rulings regarding the permissibility of religious expression in public settings. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, emphasizing the importance of non-coercive religious practices within the educational framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-2-203(b), 49-2-203