WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 2 REQUIREMENT TYPES
How Is This Bill Enforced
Verbatim statutory text on the left; plain-language analysis and a per-section checklist on the right. Numbered markers cross-link to the matching checklist row.
(a) As used in this section, "artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments and that is capable of using machine and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1xx(a) (new section added by Section 1)" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments and that is capable of using machine and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.
(b) 1 The board of trustees of the University of Tennessee, the board of regents, and each local governing board of trustees of a state university shall adopt a policy regarding the use of artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments and that is capable of using machine and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1xx(a) (new section added by Section 1) technology by students, faculty, and staff for instructional and assignment purposes. The policy must be implemented no later than July 1, 2025. The Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, does not apply to a policy adopted pursuant to this subsection (b).
(c) Public institutions of higher education are encouraged to collaborate in the development and implementation of policies regarding the use of artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments and that is capable of using machine and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1xx(a) (new section added by Section 1) technology pursuant to subsection (b).
(d) 2 The board of trustees of the University of Tennessee, the board of regents, and each local governing board of trustees of a state university shall post the policy adopted pursuant to subsection (b) on the institution's website and submit the policy to the chair of the education committee of the senate and the chair of the education administration committee of the house of representatives no later than July 1, 2025. If the governing board of a public institution of higher education fails to adopt and submit a policy as required by this section, then the governing board for the respective institution must appear before the joint government operations committee no later than sixty (60) days after July 1, 2025, to report on the governing board's noncompliance.
This section requires the three categories of Tennessee public higher education governing boards — the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees, the Board of Regents, and each state university's local governing board — to adopt policies governing AI use by students, faculty, and staff for instructional and assignment purposes, with a July 1, 2025 implementation deadline. The statute encourages inter-institutional collaboration but leaves policy substance entirely to the boards. Policies must be posted on institutional websites and submitted to legislative education committee chairs by the same deadline. Failure to comply triggers a mandatory appearance before the joint government operations committee within 60 days.
3 Adopt a policy regarding the use of artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments and that is capable of using machine and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1xx(a) (new section added by Section 1) by students, teachers, and staff for instructional and assignment purposes. The policy must be implemented in schools no later than the 2024-2025 school year. By July 1, 2024, and by each July 1 thereafter, the board shall report to the department of education of its compliance with this subdivision (a)(). The report must include the adopted policy and describe how the board will enforce the policy in the upcoming school year. As used in this subdivision (a)(), "artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments and that is capable of using machine and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1xx(a) (new section added by Section 1)" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments and that is capable of using machine and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.
This section amends the existing powers and duties of local boards of education to add a requirement that each board adopt a policy governing AI use by students, teachers, and staff for instructional and assignment purposes. Unlike the higher education provision, the K-12 deadline was the 2024-2025 school year, with annual compliance reporting to the Department of Education beginning July 1, 2024. Reports must include the adopted policy and describe the board's enforcement plan for the upcoming school year.
(a) As used in this section, "artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments and that is capable of using machine and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1xx(a) (new section added by Section 1)" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments and that is capable of using machine and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.
(b) 4 The governing body of a public charter school shall adopt a policy regarding the use of artificial intelligenceArtificial intelligence"Artificial intelligence" means a machine-based system that can, for a given set of human-defined objectives, make predictions, recommendations, or decisions influencing real or virtual environments and that is capable of using machine and human-based inputs to perceive real and virtual environments, abstract such perceptions into models through analysis in an automated manner, and use model inference to formulate options for information or action.Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1xx(a) (new section added by Section 1) by students, teachers, and staff for instructional and assignment purposes. The policy must be implemented in each public charter school no later than the 2024-2025 school year. By July 1, 2024, and by each July 1 thereafter, the governing body shall report to the department of education of its compliance with this section. The report must include the adopted policy and describe how the governing body will enforce the policy in the upcoming school year.
This section mirrors the K-12 local education agency obligation for public charter schools. Each charter school governing body must adopt an AI use policy for students, teachers, and staff, implement it by the 2024-2025 school year, and report annually to the Department of Education beginning July 1, 2024. The reporting requirements are identical to those for local boards of education.
This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law — March 11, 2024, when Governor Bill Lee signed it — due to a public welfare finding. Individual obligations within the act have their own implementation deadlines (2024-2025 school year for K-12 and charter schools; July 1, 2025 for higher education).