HB2490 • 2026

Local Education Agencies

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 2, Part 2, relative to persons eligible for employment by a local education agency.

Education

Active

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

Sponsor: Reedy
Last action: 2026-02-05
Official status: Assigned to s/c Education Administration Subcommittee
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The candidate explanation included details about multiple relatives working within the same direct line of supervision, which are present in the bill text but were not highlighted as primary changes. The summary was adjusted to focus on the main change regarding hiring approval by the commissioner.

Rules for Hiring Relatives at Schools

This bill changes Tennessee's rules about hiring relatives of school directors and board members by adding a requirement that the state education commissioner must approve such hires in writing.

What This Bill Does

Changes the law to say schools cannot hire people who are related to their director or board members without special permission from the state education commissioner.

Who It Names or Affects

Local Education Agencies (LEAs) in Tennessee
School directors and their relatives
Board members of local education agencies and their relatives

Terms To Know

Local Education Agency (LEA): A school district or other organization that provides public education.
Director of Schools: The person in charge of managing a local education agency.

Limits and Unknowns

Does not affect hiring decisions made before July 1, 2025.
Does not change the rules about declaring and notifying when relatives are hired.

Bill History

Date Tennessee General Assembly
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to s/c Education Administration Subcommittee
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
P2C, ref. to Education Committee
2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Intro., P1C.
2026-02-03 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

<BillNo> <Sponsor>

HOUSE BILL 2490
By Reedy
HB2490
000026
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49,
Chapter 2, Part 2, relative to persons eligible for
employment by a local education agency.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-2-202(a)(3), is amended by
deleting subdivision (C) and substituting:
(C)
(i) This subdivision (a)(3) shall not prohibit two (2) or more relatives from
working for the LEA. If two (2) or more employees who are relatives are within
the same direct line of supervision, or become within the same direct line of
supervision by marriage or promotion, then the director of schools shall attempt
to resolve the issue by transfer of one (1) of the employees. If the director finds
that transfer is not feasible, or is not in the best interest of students, then an
alternate evaluation plan must be devised for one (1) of the employees.
(ii) Notwithstanding subdivision (a)(3)(C)(i), an LEA shall not employ a
person who is a relative of the LEA's director of schools or a relative of a member
of the LEA's local board of education unless the commissioner of education
approves the relative's employment in writing. This subdivision (a)(3)(C)(ii):
(a) Applies to all offers of employment and employment decisions
made by an LEA on or after July 1, 2025;
(b) Does not affect offers of employment or employment
decisions made by an LEA before July 1, 2025; and

- 2 - 000026

(c) Does not excuse a member of the LEA's local board of
education or the LEA's director of schools from having to comply with the
declaration and notice requirements outlined in subdivision (a)(3)(A).
SECTION 2. This act takes effect July 1, 2025, the public welfare requiring it.