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HB0531 • 2026

Education, Curriculum

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to artificial intelligence.

Education Technology
Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor
Farmer, Bailey
Last action
2025-03-18
Official status
Taken off notice for cal. in Education Committee
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The bill summary does not provide details on specific AI tools or concepts that must be covered, leaving this aspect open to interpretation.

Tennessee AI Education Act

This bill requires Tennessee's local education agencies and charter schools to teach students about using and evaluating artificial intelligence tools starting from the 2026-2027 school year.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires LEAs and public charter schools in Tennessee to provide age-appropriate instruction on accessing, utilizing, and critically evaluating various AI tools within their curriculum starting from the 2026-2027 school year.
  • Directs the Tennessee Department of Education to issue guidance for implementing this requirement, including basic concepts, practical applications, responsible usage, access methods, and critical thinking skills.
  • Subject to available funding, allows the department to provide professional development programs in AI education for educators.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Local education agencies (LEAs) in Tennessee
  • Public charter schools in Tennessee
  • Students in Tennessee's public and charter schools

Terms To Know

local education agency (LEA)
a school district or other local organization that is responsible for providing educational services to students.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The bill does not specify the exact amount of funding available for teacher training programs.
  • It is unclear what specific AI tools or concepts must be covered by schools beyond the guidance provided by the department.

Bill History

  1. 2025-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee

  2. 2025-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Taken off notice for cal. in Education Committee

  3. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/18/2025

  4. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/19/2025

  5. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Education Committee to 3/19/2025

  6. 2025-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action def. in Education Committee to 3/18/2025

  7. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/11/2025

  8. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/12/2025

  9. 2025-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Education Committee

  10. 2025-02-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Education Instruction Subcommittee for 3/4/2025

  11. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee

  12. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  13. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Education Instruction Subcommittee

  14. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Education Committee

  15. 2025-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  16. 2025-01-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  17. 2025-01-29 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 514
By Bailey

HOUSE BILL 531
By Farmer

HB0531
002032
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49,
relative to artificial intelligence.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 10, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) Beginning in the 2026-2027 school year, each LEA and public charter school
shall provide age-appropriate instruction to students on how to access, utilize, and
critically evaluate various artificial intelligence tools within the curriculum taught by the
educator. The instruction must be aligned with the guidance issued by the department
of education pursuant to subsection (b).
(b) The department of education shall issue guidance to LEAs and public charter
schools on how to implement subsection (a). The guidance must include, but is not
limited to, the following instructional components:
(1) Introducing basic artificial intelligence concepts;
(2) Demonstrating practical applications of artificial intelligence;
(3) Teaching responsible artificial intelligence usage;
(4) How to access relevant artificial intelligence tools; and
(5) Developing critical thinking skills to analyze artificial intelligence.
(c) Subject to available funding, the department of education shall provide a
professional development program in artificial intelligence education for educators.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.