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SB 695

Education - As introduced, converts the school safety alert grant pilot program to a statewide two-year school safety alert grant program; removes the limit on the number of grants that may be awarded in a fiscal year. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Chapter 994 of the Public Acts of 2024.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Converts Tennessee's pilot school safety alert grant program into permanent statewide initiative with unlimited annual grants instead of capped awards.

Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 695

Legislative bill overview

SB 695 expands Tennessee's school safety alert grant program from a pilot initiative into a permanent, statewide two-year program and removes caps on the number of grants awarded annually. The bill amends state education law to establish ongoing funding for school safety alert systems across the state.

Why is this important

School safety alert systems can enable rapid communication during emergencies, potentially affecting response times and student/staff protection during critical incidents. The shift from a limited pilot to an uncapped statewide program represents a significant expansion of state spending on school safety infrastructure, with implications for school budgets and safety protocols across all Tennessee districts.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact unclear: The bill removes grant limits without specifying total budget allocation, raising questions about unfunded liability and how many districts will receive funding
  • Implementation standards: No apparent specification of which schools qualify, what technology standards must be met, or how effectiveness will be measured
  • Pilot program results: The rationale for expansion lacks public information about outcomes from the existing pilot program that would justify statewide rollout

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

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