Covenant School Attack Reinforces Current Focus on School Safety
By State Senator Page Walley
Even before the horrific and senseless attack on Covenant School in Nashville that stole the lives of three children and three adults last week, school security was a top priority for the General Assembly this year. Senate Republicans remain committed to efforts to fortify school buildings, increase security measures, and explore other solutions to prevent tragedies like this in the future. A comprehensive school safety bill was set to be considered last week by the Senate Education Committee, but a vote has been delayed until this week to review potential improvements to the proposed legislation.
Increasing accountability for behavior-based sentence reductions for inmates
As part of our efforts to keep dangerous criminals off the streets, our Judiciary Committee passed legislation last week to create the Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board to oversee the award of inmate sentence reduction credits for all correctional facilities in the state. The board would be tasked with reviewing the award, denial, and removal of inmate sentence credits for good institutional behavior or satisfactory program performance.
Currently, prisons across the state have their own disciplinary boards to determine the award of credits for sentence reduction. This bill would ensure that inmates across the state are awarded credits based on consistent standards.
The necessity for expanded oversight regarding sentence reduction credits became clear to lawmakers following the high-profile murder of Eliza Fletcher in Memphis last year by a criminal who was released early from a 24-year prison sentence, despite 54 write-ups and no participation in any programs. If Eliza Fletcher’s murderer had not been released early, he would have been behind bars the day he murdered the Memphis school teacher.
The bill now advances to our Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee of which I am a member.
Protecting free speech in schools
To protect free speech in schools, our Education Committee last week passed a bill that would prevent compulsory use of certain pronouns. Senate Bill 466 prevents teachers from being held civilly liable if they choose to use pronouns consistent with the student’s biological sex or the sex listed on the student’s permanent records. The bill extends the same protection to school districts. The bill also states a school or school district cannot bring disciplinary or adverse employment action against a teacher if they choose to use pronouns consistent with the student’s biological sex.
The freedom of speech protects both the right to speak and the right not to speak. This bill protects teachers from being compelled to speak against their conscience, worldview, or core beliefs.
Likewise, to promote freedom of expression and educational excellence on college campuses, our Education Committee last week advanced the Tennessee Higher Education Freedom of Expression and Transparency Act. It strengthens the prohibition on higher education institutions from being biased in favor of any one theory or concept. This bill prohibits bias or favoritism in the treatment of student groups and the use of school property.
Under the bill, student-invited guest speakers may not be denied solely on race, religion, or non- violent political ideology. Finally, the bill requires institutions to ensure employees whose job duties include diversity, equity or inclusion to be devoted to supporting student academic achievement and workforce readiness of all students.
We anticipate that we will conclude this year’s session of the General Assembly later this month. I remain eager to hear your thoughts on issues of interest and concern. Please reach out to me at (615) 741-2368 or sen.page.walley@capitol.tn.gov.
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