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SB 972

Local Education Agencies - As introduced, requires an LEA or public charter school to install, maintain, and use, subject to parental request and approval, a video camera surveillance system in each special education classroom operated by the LEA or public charter school to continuously monitor students, teachers, and staff in special education classrooms while special education or related services are being provided to students. - Amends TCA Title 49.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Steve Southerland

Requires local schools to install and maintain video cameras in every special education classroom, with parental consent, and restricted access to footage.

Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
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Bill Summary · SB 972

Summary of Tennessee SB 972 (Session 114)

Purpose and Intent

  • Requires local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools to install, maintain, and use video camera surveillance systems in each special education classroom, upon the written request and consent of the parent of a student receiving special education or related services.
  • Aims to promote student safety in special education settings.

Key Provisions

  1. Installation and Maintenance

    • LEAs and public charter schools must install and maintain a video camera surveillance system in every special education classroom operated by the LEA or charter school, if requested by a parent.

  2. Use of Surveillance Systems

    • Systems may be used to continuously monitor students, teachers, and staff in the special education classroom while special education or related services are being provided, but only with the written consent of the parent of each student who may be monitored.
    • Continuous monitoring is prohibited unless each monitored student’s parent consents in writing.

  3. Access to Footage

    • Photographs or video footage obtained from the system may be viewed only by the parent of a student featured in the recording.
    • Viewing must comply with applicable privacy laws (e.g., TN privacy statute and FERPA, 20 U.S.C. § 1232g).

  4. Policy Requirements

    • Each local board of education and each public charter school governing body must adopt a policy implementing this section.
    • Policies must establish the duration for which photographs or video footage will be maintained.

  5. Definitions

    • “Parent” includes a parent, guardian, person with custody, or an individual with caregiving authority.
    • “Special education classroom” means a self-contained classroom or setting where a majority of students receive special education and related services for at least 50% of the instructional day.
    • “Student” means any student (pre-K through 12) who receives special education and related services.

  6. Effective Date and Applicability

    • The act takes effect upon becoming law for purposes of developing policies (public welfare requiring it).
    • For all other purposes, effective July 1, 2025, and applies to the 2025-2026 school year and thereafter.

Affected Parties

  • Primary: Local Boards of Education and governing bodies of public charter schools.
  • Secondary: Students in pre-K through 12th grade who receive special education and related services, and their parents/guardians.

Fiscal Implications

  • The bill would cause mandatory increases in local expenditures for installation, equipment purchase, and ongoing maintenance of video surveillance systems in special education classrooms.
  • The exact cost is uncertain and depends on:
    • Number of classrooms equipped
    • Equipment features, quality, and vendor pricing
    • Long-term maintenance costs
  • The fiscal note projects that districts may be able to adopt policies within existing resources, but total costs could be significant and vary by district.

Procedural Timeline

  • Introduced: February 5, 2025
  • Passed First Consideration: February 10, 2025
  • Passed Second Consideration (and referred to Senate Education Committee): February 12, 2025
  • Effective dates:
    • Policy development: upon becoming law (public welfare clause)
    • General applicability: July 1, 2025
    • Implementation: beginning with the 2025-2026 school year

Notable Considerations

  • Privacy safeguards are central: access to footage is restricted to the monitored student’s parent and must comply with FERPA and state privacy laws.
  • Parental consent is required for use; blanket use without parent consent is not permitted.
  • The bill requires explicit policy adoption and maintenance timelines to ensure consistent implementation across districts.

If you’d like, I can provide a comparison with current TN law on privacy and special education or draft a quick one-page briefing for stakeholders.

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

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