Tennessee · Senate Bill · 113th General Assembly
SB1711
Tennessee SB 1711 — Public Chapter No. 550 — An Act to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to artificial intelligence

Status ● Enacted Effective Mar 11, 2024 Passage Likelihood N/A

WHAT THIS BILL REGULATES · 2 REQUIREMENT TYPES

How Is This Bill Enforced

Enforcement Authority
No private right of action. Enforcement is through institutional governance accountability mechanisms: governing boards that fail to adopt and submit policies must appear before the joint government operations committee to report on noncompliance. K-12 boards and charter school governing bodies must report compliance annually to the Department of Education.
Private Right of Action
No private right of action. Enforcement is exclusive to the designated authority.
Penalties
No monetary penalties, damages, or remedies specified. Noncompliance triggers a mandatory appearance before the joint government operations committee (higher education) or annual reporting to the Department of Education (K-12 and charter schools).

What This Bill Requires

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.

Statutory Text
Analysis & Obligations
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-7-1xx (new section, Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 1)
Higher education AI use policies
Government

(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 to Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 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 to Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 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 to Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 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 governing boards of all Tennessee public higher education institutions — the University of Tennessee Board of Trustees, the Board of Regents, and each local governing board of a state university — to adopt policies governing the use of artificial intelligence by students, faculty, and staff for instructional and assignment purposes. Policies must be implemented by July 1, 2025, posted on institutional websites, and submitted to the chairs of the relevant legislative education committees. Institutions that fail to comply must appear before the joint government operations committee within sixty days. The section encourages but does not require inter-institutional collaboration in developing these policies and exempts the policies from the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.

Compliance actions 2 items
1
The University of Tennessee Board of Trustees, the Board of Regents, and each local governing board of a state university must adopt a policy governing 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 to Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 1) by students, faculty, and staff for instructional and assignment purposes, implemented no later than July 1, 2025.
G-01.1
2
Each higher education governing board must post its adopted AI policy on the institution's website and submit the policy to the chairs of the Senate education committee and the House education administration committee no later than July 1, 2025. Boards that fail to adopt and submit a policy must appear before the joint government operations committee within sixty days.
G-02.4
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-2-203(a)(new subdivision)
K-12 local board AI use policies
Government

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 to Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 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 to Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 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 existing K-12 local education agency governance law to require each local board of education to adopt a policy governing the use of artificial intelligence by students, teachers, and staff for instructional and assignment purposes. Policies must be implemented in schools no later than the 2024-2025 school year. Beginning July 1, 2024, and annually thereafter, each board must report to the Tennessee Department of Education on its compliance, including the adopted policy and a description of how the board will enforce it in the upcoming school year.

Compliance actions 1 item
3
Each local board of education must adopt a policy governing 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 to Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 1) by students, teachers, and staff for instructional and assignment purposes, implemented no later than the 2024-2025 school year, and must report annually by July 1 to the Department of Education with the adopted policy and a description of how it will be enforced.
G-01.1
Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-13-1xx (new section, Title 49, Chapter 13)
Public charter school AI use policies
Government

(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 to Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 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 to Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 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 extends the same policy-adoption mandate to public charter schools. Each charter school's governing body must adopt an AI use policy for students, teachers, and staff, implement it no later than the 2024-2025 school year, and report annually by July 1 to the Tennessee Department of Education. The reporting obligation mirrors that imposed on K-12 local boards: the report must include the adopted policy and describe how it will be enforced.

Compliance actions 1 item
4
Each public charter school governing body must adopt a policy governing 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 to Title 49, Chapter 7, Part 1) by students, teachers, and staff for instructional and assignment purposes, implemented no later than the 2024-2025 school year, and must report annually by July 1 to the Department of Education with the adopted policy and a description of how it will be enforced.
G-01.1
Section 4 (Effective Date)
Effective date

This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.

The act takes effect upon becoming a law, citing the public welfare requirement. The governor signed the bill on March 11, 2024.

Passage Likelihood

Enacted
Status Enacted

Legislative History

2024-01-10 Filed for introduction
2024-01-11 Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
2024-01-22 Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
2024-02-07 Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 2/14/2024
2024-02-14 Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 0
2024-02-16 Sponsor(s) Added.
2024-02-20 Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 2/22/2024
2024-02-22 Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0527)
2024-02-22 Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 1
2024-02-22 Engrossed; ready for transmission to House
2024-02-22 Subst. for comp. HB.
2024-02-22 Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0515)
2024-02-22 Passed H., Ayes 93, Nays 0, PNV 1
2024-02-23 Enrolled and ready for signatures
2024-02-26 Signed by Senate Speaker
2024-02-27 Signed by H. Speaker
2024-02-28 Transmitted to Governor for action.
2024-03-11 Signed by Governor.
2024-03-19 Pub. Ch. 550
2024-03-19 Effective date(s) 03/11/2024

Entry Last Reviewed

2026-05-16
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