HB1491

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 16; Title 20 and Title 49, relative to the "Protecting Religious Liberty and Expression in Public Schools Act."

Introduced·1/8/26

Tennessee bill mandates daily prayer and Bible reading in public schools, allows opt-out with consent.

The Tennessee bill, "Protecting Religious Liberty and Expression in Public Schools Act," requires public schools to provide daily opportunities for prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts. Participation is voluntary and requires consent from students or their guardians. Employees can also choose to participate. The bill prohibits teaching the Bible as religious dogma or coercing students to accept it as divinely inspired. It also allows students or parents to sue schools for noncompliance and mandates that prevailing parties in such lawsuits can recover attorney's fees.

Included in complete analysis

  • Overview
  • Core Provisions
  • Implementation
  • Impact
  • Legal Framework
  • Critical Issues

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Where it stands

Current
In committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

0
8
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Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

12 Yea

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7 Nay

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History

Apr 8

House

Def. to Summer Study in Education Committee

Apr 1

House

Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Education Committee

Apr 1

House

Placed on cal. Education Committee for 4/8/2026