House Bill 2226, also known as Senate Bill 2445, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to local education agencies. Key changes include the deletion of specific subdivisions and subsections that pertain to collaborative conferencing and the rights of professional employees. Notably, the bill redefines "collaborative conferencing" and "representative," clarifying that representatives do not include attorneys. It also establishes that professional employees have the right to request meetings with their local board of education, but the board can refuse such requests. Furthermore, the bill prohibits local boards from engaging in collaborative conferencing while allowing for voluntary consultations with professional employees.

Additional amendments include the removal of certain provisions regarding the use of facilities by professional employees' organizations and the repeal of specific sections by July 1, 2026. The bill ensures that existing contracts or agreements prior to this date remain unaffected until their expiration. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the rights and obligations established in prior agreements.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 49-5-601, 49-5-602(2), 49-5-602, 49-5-602(10), 49-5-603, 49-5-605, 49-5-606(a), 49-5-606, 49-5-606(a)(4), 49-5-606(b), 49-5-606(c)(4), 49-5-607, 49-5-608