Tagged: 2013 TN General Assembly

A proposal allowing Tennessee school districts to hire individuals with prior law enforcement experience to handle security is headed for a full Senate vote.

The measure sponsored by Republican Sen. Frank Niceley passed the Senate Finance Committee 6-2 Monday. The companion bill is set to be heard on the House floor today.

The proposal would allow schools to hire retired law enforcement officers after they meet certain requirements, such as completing a 40-hour school security course. Police officers are typically required to have about 400 hours of training. 

The Tennessee legislature is wrapping up its session. Most of the high-profile issues have been settled for the year, but minor skirmishes remain -- one dealing with animal cruelty.

A bill would require that activists go to the police immediately if they uncover evidence of abuse. But those activists say it’s a sham.

Tennessee lawmakers trying to wrap up the General Assembly this month are hoping to push through two key education proposals.

One measure creates a state panel to authorize charter schools for five counties, and the other seeks to clear the way for cities to begin forming municipal school systems. The session began with several proposals aimed at continuing education reform in Tennessee.

The Tennessee House has approved Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's bill to change the way the state considers injured workers' claims after defeating several attempts by Democrats to dial back the proposal.

The chamber voted 68-24 to approve the bill. The Senate would have to agree to minor changes before the measure can head to the governor.

A proposal that would dock welfare payments of Tennessee parents whose children fail school is dead.

After a debate on the state Senate floor Thursday, Republican senator and bill sponsor Stacey Campfield decided to pull the bill so it can be studied over the summer.

Both Republicans and Democrats expressed concern about the legislation, which sought to cut Temporary Assistance for Needy Families benefits by 30 percent if a child fails to advance to the next grade.