2025-2026 Regular SessionTennessee Legislature

SB0376: AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 7, relative to institutions of higher education.

Legislative Summary

As introduced, prohibits the exclusion of persons from participating in, being denied the benefits of, or being subject to discrimination by a four-year public or private institution of higher education in this state on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, and national origin; prohibits such institutions from using race, color, ethnicity, or national origin in determining whether a prospective student qualifies for admission into the institution, or receives scholarships or financial aid; creates a private cause of action against an institution and its officers, employees, and agents for such unlawful practices. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 7.

Demographic Impact

Overall analysis of equity impact

60% Positive
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Bill History

1/28/2025
Filed for introduction
Senate
2/10/2025
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Senate
2/12/2025
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
Senate
3/12/2025
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/19/2025
Senate
3/19/2025
Action deferred in Senate Education Committee to 3/26/2025
Senate
3/19/2025
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/26/2025
Senate
3/26/2025
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0
Senate
4/4/2025
Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/7/2025
Senate
4/7/2025
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0274)
Senate
4/7/2025
Amendment tabled (Amendment 2 - SA0370)
Senate
4/7/2025
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 25, Nays 6
Senate
4/7/2025
Engrossed; ready for transmission to House
Senate
4/7/2025
Sponsor(s) Added.
Senate
4/9/2025
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
House of Representatives
4/10/2025
Subst. for comp. HB.
House of Representatives
4/10/2025
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0236)
House of Representatives
4/10/2025
Failed to adopt Am. 2 (Amendment 2 - HA0314) Ayes 23, Nays 72, PNV 0
House of Representatives
4/10/2025
Passed H., Ayes 73, Nays 22, PNV 0
House of Representatives
4/15/2025
Enrolled and ready for signatures
Senate
4/17/2025
Signed by Senate Speaker
Senate
4/21/2025
Signed by H. Speaker
House of Representatives
4/21/2025
Transmitted to Governor for action.
Senate
4/24/2025
Signed by Governor.
Senate

Amendments

SA0370

Amendment 2-0 to SB0376

4/7/2025Not Adopted

SA0274

Amendment 1-0 to SB0376

3/27/2025Not Adopted

Roll Call Votes

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO ADOPT AMENDMENT # 2 BY JOHNSON PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION
4/10/2025
23
Yea
72
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: FAILED
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO CONSIDER AMENDMENT # 3 BY PEARSON PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION
4/10/2025
21
Yea
73
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: FAILED
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION
4/10/2025
73
Yea
22
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION
4/10/2025
73
Yea
22
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED
FLOOR VOTE: Previous Question as Amended Third Consideration
4/7/2025
25
Yea
6
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration
4/7/2025
25
Yea
6
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED
FLOOR VOTE: Lay on the Table Motion to Adopt Amend# 2 by Senator Yarbro Third Consideration
4/7/2025
26
Yea
6
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED
SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0
3/26/2025
8
Yea
1
Nay
0
Not Voting
0
Absent
Result: PASSED

Status Information

Current Status
Passed(4/24/2025)
Chamber
Senate

Documents

Draft
Bill Text1/28/202514.3 KB
Fiscal Note/Analysis
Fiscal Note/Analysis4/7/2025143.2 KB
Fiscal Note/Analysis
Fiscal Note/Analysis3/11/2025140.3 KB
Fiscal Note
Fiscal Note3/8/2025141.7 KB