New TN law gives minimum year suspension for school threats

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WDEF) — A new Tennessee law is in effect for the 2023-2024 school year. In the new law, any student who commits a “zero tolerance offense” will be suspended for at least one year. A new amendment states that any student who threatens mass violence would be suspended as well.

The bill describes this threat as one that would lead to serious bodily injury or death of at least two people.

This follows a series of threats taking place at Tennessee schools in the past school year, even in the Tennessee Valley.

Governor Bill Lee signed Senate Bill 190 into law on April 28. It went into effect on July 1.

According to the bill, a student will be in violation if they do any of the following.

• Being in unauthorized possession of a firearm on school property.
• Committing assault that results in bodily injury upon any teacher, principal, administrator, school resource officer or other school employee.
• Being in possession of any drug or controlled substance on school grounds, or at a school-sponsored event.
• Threatening mass violence at/toward a school.

The only exception would be if a director of the school modifies the expulsion on a case-by-case basis.

It passed the Senate unanimously and passed the House 79-16.