Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Reentry Education topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Bill to ease higher-education access for people with criminal histories moves forward
Summary
House Bill 17-72 aims to clarify liability and lower barriers for Tennesseans with certain criminal records to access higher education, excluding many violent offenses; colleges remain accountable for knowingly admitting individuals convicted of violent crimes.
Chairman Raper presented House Bill 17-72, which sponsors described as a measure to prioritize rehabilitation and public safety by making higher education more attainable for Tennesseans with criminal histories. The bill clarifies liability protections for institutions to avoid blanket exclusions and encourages case-by-case admissions while excluding people convicted of specified violent offenses (citing TCA 40-35-120(b)).
Representative Johnson asked whether certain drug offenses or repeat drug-sales arrests would be treated differently; the sponsor said universities retain responsibility and that the bill does not remove institutional accountability when an institution knowingly admits or retains students with violent convictions. The committee voted unanimously to advance the bill (18 ayes, 0 nays).
