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Senate approves measure integrating IHRA antisemitism definition into K‑12 and college policies
Summary
Lawmakers passed a bill directing public K‑12 and higher‑education institutions to incorporate the IHRA working definition of antisemitism into codes of conduct and to designate Title VI coordinators; supporters emphasized protecting Jewish students while some senators raised concerns about scope and related policy tradeoffs.
The Tennessee Senate passed House Bill 11 88, a measure that requires public K‑12 and higher‑education governing boards to integrate the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) working definition of antisemitism, including its contemporary examples, into institutional conduct policies and codes. The bill also directs the State Department of Education and each public institution to designate a Title VI coordinator to review and report on antisemitic discrimination and harassment.
Sponsor Senator Rose said the measure is a response to a sharp rise in antisemitic incidents since October 2024 and framed the bill as a protection for Jewish students and community institutions. Rose told the chamber the IHRA definition was adopted in Tennessee in 2022 and that the bill would require integration of that definition into institutional policies, require notice to employees, and create an annual reporting requirement to the General Assembly and attorney general.
Debate included both support and reservation. Senator Harshbarger and Senator Ackberry (Actberry) voiced support for the bill as an effort to protect students. Senator Campbell and Senator Lamar said they supported the goal of protecting Jewish students but asked why the measure singled out antisemitism rather than addressing hate against multiple groups; Senator Lamar also said his vote against the bill was a protest over broader U.S. policy in the Middle East and not a rejection of measures to combat antisemitism.
After debate, the Senate passed the bill on third consideration and the clerk announced it had received the constitutional majority.
