WeVote
Log In

Bill

Bill

SB 121

Local Education Agencies - As introduced, requires public charter schools to adopt an internet acceptable use policy in the same manner required for LEAs; prohibits LEAs and public charter schools from tracking or monitoring a person's use of a personal electronic device on school property, except for instances in which a student uses such device during a test. - Amends TCA Title 49.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Adam Lowe

Prohibits Tennessee schools from monitoring personal device usage on campus except during tests; requires charter schools to adopt matching internet policies as traditional public schools.

Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
#localeducationagencies
0
WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 121

Legislative bill overview

SB 121 requires public charter schools to implement internet acceptable use policies matching those of traditional public school districts (LEAs). The bill prohibits schools from monitoring or tracking personal electronic device usage on school property, with a narrow exception allowing monitoring only during testing periods.

Why is this important

Schools currently have varying policies on device monitoring, creating inconsistency across districts and charter schools. This bill standardizes certain protections while potentially limiting schools' ability to address cyberbullying, inappropriate online behavior during school hours, or security threats that occur on campus using personal devices.

Potential points of contention

  • Student safety vs. privacy balance: Schools may argue they need monitoring capabilities to identify and prevent cyberbullying, threats, or harmful content accessed during the school day; privacy advocates counter that personal device monitoring on school property is intrusive
  • Charter school regulatory parity: The requirement that charter schools adopt policies "in the same manner" as LEAs may conflict with charter schools' operational flexibility, a key argument for their existence
  • Enforcement and compliance: Unclear how schools would verify compliance with a prohibition on tracking, and whether existing security infrastructure (firewalls, network monitoring) counts as prohibited "tracking"

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

Sign in to ask a question.