Legislative Recap: Major Wins for Parental Rights & Child Protection

Our children face unprecedented challenges in today's world. From radical gender ideology in schools to dangerous content on social media, kids are under attack from forces that seek to undermine parental authority and corrupt young minds. But Tennessee Republicans fought back during the 114th General Assembly with comprehensive legislation to protect children and strengthen families.

As I've said many times, parents have the fundamental right to direct the upbringing, health, and education of their children according to their values and beliefs. The government's job is to support parents, not replace them.

• Protecting Children from Harmful Content and Exploitation: Criminalized AI-Generated Content Involving Minors (HB769) - We made it a crime to create, possess, or distribute generative artificial intelligence content involving children. This groundbreaking legislation addresses new threats from technology that predators use to exploit kids. We're staying ahead of the curve to protect our children from digital predators.

• Strengthened Child Abuse Penalties (HB1360) - We enhanced penalties for those who harm children, because protecting the innocent is the government's most basic responsibility. We also required mental health evaluations for those convicted of certain crimes, including child abuse and animal cruelty, addressing the connection between violence against animals and violence against humans.

• Enhanced Sex Offender Penalties (HB1352) - We expanded penalties for sex offenders because those who prey on children deserve the harshest consequences our justice system can deliver.

  
  

Protecting Children in Schools:

• Ensured Biological Reality in Schools (HB64) - We passed legislation ensuring students use bathrooms and facilities that correspond to their biological sex. This protects the privacy, safety, and dignity of all students while rejecting the lie of gender ideology. Parents shouldn't have to worry about their daughters sharing locker rooms with biological males. (Note: This bill's amendment made it only cover residential facilities like boarding schools and colleges, as well as overnight trips with elementary/secondary schools.)

• Banned Red 40 in Schools (HB134) - We prohibited this harmful artificial dye in school foods, protecting children's health and removing unnecessary chemicals from their diets.

• Empowering Schools to Make Cell Phone Policy (HB932) - We empowered local school districts to establish their own policies around cell phones and wireless devices in schools. This legislation gives schools the tools to limit distractions while respecting the needs of families. Every community is different, and this approach lets educators and parents work together to create learning environments that help students stay focused and thrive.

  
  

Strengthening Families:

• Foster Children's Bill of Rights (HB1359) - We established fundamental protections for children in foster care, ensuring they're treated with dignity and given every opportunity to succeed. These vulnerable children deserve our strongest protections.

• Protected Children in Custody Cases (HB1255) - We strengthened laws protecting children during difficult family situations, ensuring their best interests come first in custody decisions.

• Increased Access to Child Care (HB1175) - We made it easier for working families to find quality, affordable childcare, supporting parents who are doing their best to provide for their children.

  
  

Educational Improvements:

• More Recess for Children (HB85) - We ensured kids get adequate time for physical activity and play, recognizing that childhood development requires more than just sitting in classrooms.

• Merit-Based Pay Options (HB759) - We gave school districts the option to implement merit-based compensation for teachers, rewarding excellence in education.

• Free Speech Protections for Students (HB1270) - We extended protection to students and contractors of public schools and LEAs while at school and prohibits disciplinary action from being taken against students, or adverse action against school contractors for failure to use preferred pronouns that are inconsistent with an individual's biological sex.

• Parental Notice of School Threats (HB1088) - We required schools to notify parents when threats occur, because parents have a right to know about dangers affecting their children.

• Success Sequence in Family Life Curriculum (HB178) - We promoted teaching the proven path to economic stability: education, employment, marriage, and then children. This evidence-based approach enables young people to make informed life choices.

  
  

The Bigger Picture: These victories represent a comprehensive approach to protecting childhood innocence, strengthening families, and defending parental rights. We're pushing back against a culture that seeks to sexualize children, undermine parents, and replace family authority with government control.

Every child deserves to grow up in safety, with parents who love them and schools that support rather than subvert family values. That's what these laws deliver.

Fighting for Our Kids,

Michele Reneau

TN State Representative

District 27, Hamilton County