House Bill 1973 amends Tennessee Code Annotated to establish stricter regulations regarding the conduct of educators with students and former students. The bill modifies Section 49-5-411 by requiring teachers to provide written notice of resignation at least thirty days in advance. Additionally, it updates Section 49-5-1003(b) by prohibiting educators from engaging in any conduct that violates the newly introduced Section 49-5-1008, which specifically addresses sexually related behavior.

The new Section 49-5-1008 explicitly prohibits educators from engaging in any sexually related behavior with students or former students, regardless of consent. This includes a wide range of behaviors such as making sexual jokes, inappropriate touching, and pressuring for sexual favors. The section defines "former student" and mandates that any violations be reported to the state board of education, which can lead to disciplinary action against the educator's license. The bill is set to take effect upon becoming law for rule promulgation purposes, with full implementation scheduled for July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-5-411, 49-5-1003(b), 49-5-1003
Amended with HA0908 -- 04/16/2026: 49-5-411, 49-5-1003(b), 49-5-1003