Tennessee Senate Passes Bill Banning Teachers From Engaging in Sexual Relationships with Former Students
Tennessee Today

Senator Dawn White address the Senate Education Committee on February 25, 2026

On Monday, the Tennessee Senate passed a bill prohibiting teachers from engaging in sexual activity with former students. This measure seeks to prevent instances of inappropriate behavior from teachers towards students by creating enforceable rules against these relationships, aiming to create a safer environment for all. 

Sponsored by Sen. Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro), this legislation revises the teacher code of ethics to broaden its ban on sexual relations between educators and students. The new language now prohibits teachers from having sexual relationships with former students, as well as with current students, as it previously was.

The bill defines a former student as a minor or non-minor individual who has attended the school where the educator is employed within the past 12 months. Educators, including teachers, administrators, and other employees and volunteers who served in teaching or non-teaching roles, are all subject to this new rule.

Violations of this provision would be handled by the state’s licensure discipline process. Penalties could range from a formal reprimand to loss of license. 

This bill is another instance of strong education policy successfully pushed forward by Sen. White during her time as Chair of the Senate Education Committee. Sen. White claims, “We have made great improvements over the last several years; Tennessee’s schools are in better shape than in years past, but we need to make our schools the best.  We can, and we will.”

The bill now heads to the House for consideration.