TEP Tracking Report for the week of Feb. 26, 2012

Tennessee Equality Project is actively tracking the following legislation in the second session of the 107th  Tennessee General Assembly. These bills are on notice in House and Senate committees this week. High priority bills appear in orange highlight.

SB49 / HB229 Teaching of sexuality in elementary and middle schools.

Sponsors	Sen. Stacey Campfield / Rep. Joey Hensley
Description	Prohibits a public elementary school or middle school from the teaching of or furnishing of materials on human sexuality other than heterosexuality.
Senate Status	05/20/2011 - Senate passed with amendment 5.
House Status	02/23/2012 - Set for House Education Committee 02/28/12, Tuesday, 12 noon, Legislative Plaza 16

SB314 / HB188 Sentence enhancements when gender identity motivates crime.

Sponsors	Sen. Beverly Marrero / Rep. Jeanne Richardson
Description	Includes "gender identity or expression", rather than gender alone, on the list of motivations behind committing a crime that may be considered for sentence enhancement.
Senate Status	02/09/2011 - Referred to Senate Judiciary.
House Status	02/23/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of Judiciary 02/29/12.

SB426 / HB432 Student participation in extracurricular activities.

Sponsors	Sen. Stacey Campfield / Rep. Matthew Hill
Description	Requires schools to notify parents or legal guardians of all clubs and organizations available to students attending such school by displaying such information in the student handbooks or policy guidebooks. Prohibits a school from allowing a student to become a member or participate in any activities of a club or organization if the parent or legal guardian of such student has tendered a written communication prohibiting such student from such membership or participation.
Senate Status	02/23/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 02/29/12, Wednesday, 8:30 AM, Legislative Plaza 12
House Status	05/09/2011 - House passed.

SB2488 / HB2548 Student participation in extracurricular activities.

Sponsors	Sen. Dolores R. Gresham / Rep. Matthew Hill
Description	Requires schools to notify parents or legal guardians, by way of student handbook or policy guidebook, of all clubs and organizations available to students attending such school. Gives parents the opportunity to prohibit their child from participating in such clubs or organizations by tendering a written communication to the school.
Senate Status	02/23/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 02/29/12, Wednesday, 8:30 AM, Legislative Plaza 12
House Status	02/14/2012 - House Education recommended. Sent to Calendar & Rules.

SB2506 / HB2414 Aids studies for public outreach and education.

Sponsors	Sen. Beverly Marrero / Rep. Brenda Gilmore
Description	Requires the office of research and accountability to study AIDS prevention curricula implemented by LEAs. Requires the department of health to study AIDS prevention curricula that has been implemented in other states to determine if the programs are meritorious and effective.
Senate Status	02/22/2012 - Senate Education recommended with amendment 1 (01289562), which replaces the word, "AIDS," with "HIV/AIDS."
House Status	02/23/2012 - House passed with amendment 1 (01289562), which replaces the word, "AIDS," with "HIV/AIDS."

SB3060 / HB3266 Protection of first amendment rights in schools.

Sponsors	Sen. Jim Summerville / Rep. Phillip Johnson
Description	Prohibits local education agencies, administrative personnel, and instructional personnel from taking affirmative action, including entering into an agreement that infringes upon or waives the rights or freedoms afforded to school personnel and students under the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, without the written consent of the impacted individuals.
Senate Status	02/23/2012 - Set for Senate Education Committee 02/29/12, Wednesday, 8:30 AM, Legislative Plaza 12
House Status	02/23/2012 - Set for House floor on 03/01/2012.

SB3606 / HB3505 Partnerships between LEAs and parents

Sponsors	Sen. Joe M. Haynes / Rep. Brenda Gilmore
Description	Authorizes and encourages LEAS to partner with individuals, community and faith-based groups and organizations and nonprofit and for-profit entities to design and implement programs to improve parental involvement in their children's education and schools, particularly in high priority schools or school systems; such programs shall include parenting classes provided at low or no cost to the parents by community organizations. Allows rewards for schools and classes and honors parental participation.
Senate Status	02/01/2012 - Referred to Senate Education.
House Status	02/23/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of Education 02/29/12.

IMMIGRATION BILLS

SB2371 / HB2493 Trafficking in commercial sex acts - offense created.

Category	Criminal Law
Sponsors	Sen. Beverly Marrero / Rep. Jim Coley
Description	Defines "commercial sex act" as any sexual act for which something of value is given or received. Replaces the existing Class B felony offense of "trafficking for sexual servitude" with "trafficking a person for a commercial sex act" and adds the attempt to subject, benefit from, or attempt to benefit from another person's provision of a commercial sex act. Requires a person who is convicted of a commercial sex act offense to register with the TBI pursuant to the Tennessee Sexual Offender and Violent Sexual Offender Registration, Verification and Tracking Act of 2004. Elevates the offense to a Class A felony if the victim is a child between 13 and 15 years of age.
Senate Status	02/23/2012 - Set for Senate Judiciary Committee 02/28/12, Wednesday, 3:30 PM, Legislative Plaza 12
House Status	02/23/2012 - Set for House General Subcommittee of Finance 02/29/12, Wednesday, 9:00 AM, Legislative Plaza 16