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HB0902 • 2026

Education, Curriculum

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

Education
Active

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

Sponsor
Jones R, Hensley
Last action
2026-04-08
Official status
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details about the exact cost of implementing the program, leaving room for uncertainty.

Tennessee Substance Abuse and Violence Prevention Act

This act requires local education agencies and public charter schools in Tennessee to implement an evidence-based substance abuse and violence prevention program for students from grades three through twelve.

What This Bill Does

  • Requires each local education agency (LEA) and public charter school to use a proven method to teach kids how to avoid drugs, alcohol, and tobacco.
  • The chosen program must include lessons on saying no to drugs, personal skills development, and social skills training throughout the school year.
  • Schools are not allowed to replace other drug education programs with this new one; it should add to what they already do.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Local education agencies in Tennessee
  • Public charter schools in Tennessee
  • Students from grades three through twelve

Terms To Know

LEA (Local Education Agency)
An organization that is responsible for providing public education to students within a specific area.
Evidence-based
Refers to methods or programs that are supported by scientific research and have been proven effective.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The exact cost of implementing the program is not known because it depends on factors like choosing a vendor and providing materials.
  • Cities and counties may face increased spending, but the state will share some of these costs according to Article II, Section 24 of the Tennessee Constitution.

Amendments

These notes stay tied to the official amendment files and metadata from the legislature.

Amendment 1-0 to HB0902

Plain English: The amendment adds new requirements for schools to create and implement substance abuse and violence prevention programs and establishes a three-year pilot grant program to support these efforts.

  • Schools must develop and use substance abuse and violence prevention programs that include lessons on avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs.
  • Five local education agencies (LEAs) will receive grants for three years starting in the 2026-2027 school year to support their prevention programs.
  • Each LEA receiving a grant must report annually on the effectiveness of its program.
  • The exact details and criteria for the grant application process are not specified in this amendment text.
Amendment 1-0 to SB0821

Plain English: The amendment adds a new section to Tennessee Code Annotated that establishes a three-year pilot program for grants to help schools prevent substance abuse and violence among students.

  • Adds a definition of 'substance abuse and violence prevention program' which includes educational programs aimed at preventing drug use, promoting healthy living, and fostering resilience in students.
  • Establishes a grant program run by the department of education for three (3) local education agencies (LEAs) to implement substance abuse and violence prevention programs starting from 2026-2027 school year until July 1, 2029.
  • Requires LEAs receiving grants to instruct students in grades 3 through 12 on avoiding tobacco, alcohol, and illicit drugs, prepare annual reports on the effectiveness of their programs, and submit these reports to various state departments and committees.
  • The amendment does not specify how many LEAs will receive grants or what criteria will be used for selection.
  • It is unclear from the text whether additional funding beyond the grant amount specified ($13,300) will be provided to support these programs.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/14/2026

  2. 2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026

  3. 2026-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0

  4. 2026-03-31 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/1/2026

  5. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/1/2026

  6. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rule #83(8) Suspended, to be heard in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee on 4/1/2026

  7. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed behind the budget

  8. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 3/18/2026

  9. 2026-02-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee

  10. 2026-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

  11. 2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  12. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Education Committee for 2/10/2026

  13. 2026-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee / Behind the budget

  14. 2026-01-27 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 2/3/2026

  15. 2026-01-21 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 1/27/2026

  16. 2026-01-20 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action def. in Education Committee to 2/3/2026

  17. 2026-01-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Education Committee for 1/20/2026

  18. 2026-01-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee to 1/27/2026

  19. 2026-01-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 1/13/2026

  20. 2025-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate Finance, Ways & Means Committee to 1st Calendar of 2026

  21. 2025-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action def. in Education Committee to First Calendar of 2026

  22. 2025-04-01 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/8/2025

  23. 2025-03-26 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Education Committee for 4/1/2025

  24. 2025-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action def. in Education Committee to 4/1/2025

  25. 2025-03-19 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. Education Committee for 3/25/2025

  26. 2025-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  27. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Education Administration Subcommittee for 3/18/2025

  28. 2025-03-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

  29. 2025-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action Def. in s/c Education Administration Subcommittee to 3/18/2025

  30. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Education Administration Subcommittee for 3/11/2025

  31. 2025-03-05 Tennessee General Assembly

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

  32. 2025-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  33. 2025-02-12 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee

  34. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Education Administration Subcommittee

  35. 2025-02-10 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  36. 2025-02-06 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to Education Committee

  37. 2025-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  38. 2025-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  39. 2025-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
SENATE BILL 821
By Hensley

HOUSE BILL 902
By Jones R

HB0902
002875
- 1 -

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

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) Each LEA and public charter school shall annually implement an evidence-
based substance abuse and violence prevention program in each school that serves
students in any of the grades three through twelve (3-12) to reduce tobacco, alcohol,
and illicit drug use by students.
(b) The program selected by the LEA or public charter school must:
(1) Include drug-prevention-related education that promotes anti-drug
norms and teaches drug-refusal skills and life skills training that fosters the
development of personal self-management skills and general social skills;
(2) Be provided to students throughout the school year; and
(3) Supplement, not supplant, any other drug abuse or life skills
education provided by the LEA or public charter school, including, but not limited
to, the drug abuse resistance education (DARE) required in chapter 1, part 4 of
this title, the character education required in § 49-6-1007, any instruction
required as part of a coordinated school health program, and the family life
instruction required in part 13 of this chapter.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it, and
applies to the 2025-2026 school year and each school year thereafter.