SB1714

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·1/15/26
Draft Text

Tennessee SB1714 mandates public schools to provide a daily period for prayer and Bible reading, while prohibiting the teaching of the Bible as.

Tennessee SB1714, known as the "Protecting Religious Liberty and Expression in Public Schools Act," requires public schools to offer a daily period for prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts. Students and employees must submit a consent form to participate, and those who revoke consent are exempt from participation. The bill prohibits teaching the Bible as religious dogma, coercing students to accept it as divinely inspired, or teaching it in a manner that violates the Establishment Clause.

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

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Where it stands

Current
In committee
Next
Committee decision

Sponsors

0
1
R
Democratic CaucusRepublican Caucus

Roll Call Votes

7 Yea

RRRRRRR

2 Nay

DD

Calendar

Mar 23

12:00 PM

Senate Judiciary Hearing

Mar 4

3:00 PM

Senate Education Hearing

History

Apr 9

Senate

Re-refer to S. Cal Comm

Apr 7

Senate

Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/9/2026

Mar 24

Senate

Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 7, Nays 2 PNV 0