Rep. Kevin Raper

Maddy summaryHB 1823 requires Tennessee school districts to refer students who withdraw without enrolling in another school to juvenile court if they were receiving truancy interventions. It also mandates that unexcused absences from a student’s previous school follow them to their new school if they transfer mid-year, affecting how schools track absences for truancy purposes. The bill directly impacts students with attendance issues, school districts (LEAs), and juvenile courts handling truancy cases. It becomes effective July 1, 2026, and updates state laws to address student transfers and truancy interventions.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors the Cleveland High School unified bowling team for winning the 2026 TSSAA Unified Bowling State Championship. The bill specifically recognizes the three student athletes, Elijah Bolin, Cam Garcia, and Jaxon Jones, along with their coach Archie Crossland, for their athletic achievement and role in promoting inclusivity. By acknowledging their victory, the resolution celebrates the team's success in bringing together individuals with and without intellectual disabilities to compete as one unit. This legislative action serves as a formal commendation rather than creating new laws or funding.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally honors Owen Clemons, a student athlete from Cleveland High School in Tennessee. It recognizes his achievements as a three-time state champion in cross country and track and field while also acknowledging his status as a high-achieving student with a 4.0 grade point average. The resolution expresses the legislature's commendation for his athletic success and academic discipline, noting his commitment to attend Northern Arizona University. This document serves as an official statement of appreciation rather than a law that changes policy or imposes new requirements.

Maddy summaryHB 2154 requires juvenile court clerks in Tennessee to report the total amount of uncollected guardian ad litem administrative fees (that weren't waived) in their monthly reports to the state courts administrator and comptroller. This applies to fees paid to court-appointed guardians for children in custody cases. The bill amends multiple Tennessee code sections to add this specific fee collection data to standard reporting requirements. It directly affects juvenile courts and state financial oversight offices by increasing transparency around uncollected court-related fees. The measure focuses on reporting transparency, not changing fee waiver policies or guardian appointment procedures.

Maddy summaryHB 1912 requires Tennessee's Department of Transportation to install signs or markers with a symbol indicating adult-sized changing tables at rest areas and welcome centers, and to publish these locations on its website. It directly affects motorists using these facilities, particularly parents or caregivers needing accessible changing options for infants or toddlers. The bill defines an "adult-sized changing table" as a height-adjustable platform in family restrooms and mandates that signs follow standard traffic control device guidelines. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to rest areas along state highways and interstates.

Maddy summaryHB 1771 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to conduct annual education assessments for inmates serving felony sentences. These assessments determine each inmate's current education level and interest in continuing or advancing their studies. The department must then provide written notice within 90 days of the assessment about available educational programs and opportunities. The law applies to all felony inmates confined in state facilities and takes effect July 1, 2026.

Maddy summaryHB 2410 (Tennessee) allows public schools and charter schools to install continuous video surveillance in special education classrooms to enhance safety, but only with written consent from parents of a majority of students in those classrooms. The bill requires schools to adopt policies governing footage retention and restricts access to recordings: parents may view footage for their child under privacy laws, and teachers may view it only if evidence of assault is suspected. It specifically applies to self-contained special education settings where 50% or more of students receive special education services during instructional time. The law takes effect for the 2026-2027 school year, with funding intended to come from existing school safety grants.

Maddy summaryHB 1824 requires Tennessee's Department of Transportation (TDOT) to ensure every public safety rest area with restrooms includes at least one family restroom by 2028. The bill mandates TDOT to submit a construction schedule by July 2026 and complete at least one family restroom at a safety rest stop by July 2028. This policy directly affects TDOT's infrastructure planning and travelers using rest areas, particularly families with young children or caregivers needing accessible facilities. The law amends Tennessee Code sections related to transportation and rest area standards, focusing on concrete accessibility improvements without speculative outcomes.

Maddy summaryThis Tennessee House Joint Resolution 1143 formally recognizes April 2026 as National Donate Life Month to honor organ, eye, and tissue donors and transplant recipients. The resolution highlights the urgent need for more donors, noting that thousands of Tennesseans are currently on the transplant waiting list and that thirteen people die daily while waiting for organs. It encourages citizens to register as donors through DonateLifeTN.org or at driver services centers, emphasizing that one donor can save up to seventy-five lives. The bill serves as a commemorative acknowledgment rather than creating new legal requirements or funding changes.

Maddy summaryHB 1772 protects Tennessee higher education institutions (like colleges and universities) from lawsuits claiming negligence in admitting, enrolling, or providing housing to students with prior criminal convictions. It prohibits holding schools liable *solely* based on a student’s past conviction and bans using that criminal record as evidence in such cases. However, the law does not apply if the institution knew about a prior violent or violent sexual offense, or if it willfully allowed a student with such a history to remain enrolled. This bill does not create new lawsuits but changes how existing negligence claims can be handled for students with criminal records.