School Vouchers - As introduced, requires private schools that enroll recipients of an education freedom scholarship, students participating in the individualized education account program, or students participating in the education savings account program to conduct background checks prior to employing a teacher or person who will have direct contact with school children or access to school grounds when children are present. - Amends Chapter __ of the Public Acts of 2025 (1st Ex. Sess. – SB 6001 / HB 6004); and TCA Title 49, Chapter 10, Part 14 and Title 49, Chapter 6, Part 26.

SB 1180 requires private schools participating in Tennessee's education scholarship programs (including education freedom scholarships, individualized education accounts, and education savings accounts) to conduct background checks on all teachers and staff with direct contact with students or access to school grounds during student hours. These checks must be fingerprint or Social Security number-based and include state/national sex offender registries, the state abuse registry, and verification of educator license status. The bill mandates that schools exclude individuals barred from working in nonpublic schools or who pose a safety risk to students. It directly affects private schools enrolling students using state-funded scholarship programs, not public schools or general private school staff. The law aims to enhance safety protocols for students in these specific educational settings.