Senate Bill 2259 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to public institutions of higher education. A key provision requires each public institution to adopt policies that uphold institutional neutrality, free expression, and civil discourse, ensuring that these policies are accessible on the institution's website. The bill also introduces a new section that emphasizes the importance of academic tenure as a safeguard for academic freedom while balancing the need for accountability and professional conduct among faculty. It mandates that the Board of Regents and state university boards create clear policies distinguishing between tenure decisions and disciplinary actions, ensuring that tenure is not used as a form of discipline and that due process is provided for faculty members.

Additionally, the bill deletes certain existing provisions and modifies others to clarify the authority of institutional leadership in disciplinary matters. It specifies that disciplinary actions can be taken against both tenured and non-tenured faculty for misconduct, with the chief executive or academic officer retaining the authority to impose such actions. The bill also stipulates that any termination or suspension based on misconduct must be conducted without recommendations or votes from other faculty members. The act will take effect upon becoming law for policy adoption, while other provisions will be effective from July 1, 2026, applying to the academic year 2026-2027 and beyond.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-8-301(b), 49-8-301, 49-8-302, 49-8-303, 49-8-304(a), 49-8-304, 49-9-209(d)(1)(H), 49-9-209