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HB 1085

Education - As enacted, prohibits a local board of education or public charter school governing body from removing a material from a library collection for the sole reason that the material is religious. - Amends TCA Title 49.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Greg Martin

Tennessee law now prohibits school libraries from removing materials solely because they contain religious content, protecting faith-based books from removal on that basis alone.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 270
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Bill Summary · HB 1085

Legislative bill overview

HB 1085 prohibits Tennessee school boards and public charter schools from removing library materials solely because the content is religious in nature. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 49 and became public law (Chapter 270) in April 2025.

Why is this important

This legislation addresses library collection management practices by protecting religious materials from removal based on their religious character alone. It reflects broader national debates about what materials should be available in school libraries and who decides.

Potential points of contention

  • Definition ambiguity: The bill prohibits removal "for the sole reason" that material is religious, but doesn't clarify how schools determine if religion was the "sole" reason versus part of a legitimate content objection
  • Other removal standards untouched: The law doesn't prevent removal based on age-appropriateness, sexual content, or violence—only religious status, which some argue creates unequal treatment of similar materials
  • Intellectual freedom concerns: Free speech advocates may question whether preventing removal of religious materials conflicts with broader collection development policies or creates pressure to maintain materials schools consider inappropriate for their student populations

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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