Tenn. Code Ann. § 49-6-820 (2026)

• (a) Notwithstanding another law to the contrary, if a local board of education has not entered into a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with a law enforcement agency to assign a school resource officer at each school within the local board of education's control, then a law enforcement agency with jurisdiction may assign at least one (1) law enforcement officer to serve as a school resource officer at the school to increase the protection and safety of students and school personnel during regular school hours when children are present on the school's premises, as well as during school-sponsored events.

• (b) If a law enforcement officer is assigned to a school pursuant to subsection (a), then the chief of the law enforcement agency that assigned the law enforcement officer must notify the director of schools and the principal of the school of:
  • (1) The officer's assignment;
  • (2) The policies of the officer's employing law enforcement agency that the officer must follow;
  • (3) Procedures for communication among the LEA, officers, and local law enforcement agencies;
  • (4) A description of any policies, procedures, or other requirements that the officer must follow when responding to an emergency on school grounds;
  • (5) A procedure for addressing complaints against the officer;
  • (6) The officer's assigned schedule at a school in the LEA; and
  • (7) Whether the officer carries a firearm pursuant to § 49-6-815(a)(3).

• (c) An LEA shall not impede on the duties of an officer who is assigned to a school pursuant to this section.

Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 729,s 1, eff. 7/1/2024.