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House approves measure to ease higher-education access for people with convictions
Summary
HB 17‑72, intended to increase college access for Tennesseans with criminal histories and to clarify institutional liability, passed after floor debate over liability language and whether limiting liability to 'actual knowledge' would create gaps in protection.
Representative Raper moved passage of House Bill 17‑72 on third reading, saying the measure prioritizes rehabilitation by lowering hurdles for those with criminal records seeking higher education and asserting that education reduces recidivism. "This bill lowers hurdles for people with prior criminal records to access higher education," Raper said on the floor, arguing that clearer liability rules will prevent blanket exclusion.
Opponents warned the bill's civil‑liability language could improperly limit protections. Chairman Clemens said the measure restricts liability to instances of "actual knowledge," removing the common law standard of whether an institution "knew or should have reasonably known," and argued that narrowing liability could give institutions immunity even when they should have known about prior violent offenses. The House recorded the final vote as 58 ayes, 24 nays, with 3 present; the speaker declared the bill passed.
