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HB 997

Schools, Charter - As enacted, prohibits a county LEA or public charter school authorized to operate in a county LEA from charging registration fees, enrollment fees, or tuition for a student who resides in the county and who transfers to a public charter school authorized to operate in the county LEA from another LEA located in the same county. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 13 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Tennessee law now prohibits charter schools from charging fees to county residents transferring from other schools in the same county, removing cost barriers to charter enrollment.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 388
#charter #schools
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Bill Summary · HB 997

Legislative bill overview

HB 997 prohibits county school districts and public charter schools from charging registration, enrollment, or tuition fees to students who transfer from one school within the same county to a charter school. The bill applies only to students who already reside in the county, effectively removing financial barriers to charter school enrollment for intra-county transfers.

Why is this important

Charter schools are publicly funded but independently operated, and removing fees could increase charter school enrollment by eliminating cost obstacles. This affects how school funding flows between traditional public schools and charter schools, since per-pupil funding follows the student. It also impacts equity by making charter school access equal regardless of family income for in-county transfers.

Potential points of contention

  • Funding implications: Removing fees may shift more per-pupil funding from traditional public schools to charter schools, potentially straining district budgets already supporting charter operations
  • Equity concerns: The policy only applies to intra-county transfers, leaving inter-county transfers and out-of-district students potentially subject to fees, creating inconsistent access
  • Charter school capacity: No provisions appear to address whether charter schools must expand capacity to accommodate new fee-free enrollment, or whether enrollment caps/lottery systems remain in place

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

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