TN HB2194

Public higher education institutions must adopt policies preserving institutional neutrality, free expression, and civil discourse, and post these policies on their websites.

Board of Regents, state university boards, and University of Tennessee Board of Trustees must adopt policies that clearly separate tenure decisions from faculty disciplinary actions, prohibiting the use of tenure as a disciplinary tool.

Termination or suspension decisions for faculty misconduct must be made solely by chief executive or chief academic officers, without recommendation or vote by other faculty members.

Faculty facing termination or suspension for misconduct are entitled only to written notice of grounds and an opportunity to be heard by the chief academic or executive officer.

Policy adoption provisions take effect upon enactment; all other provisions apply starting July 1, 2026, for the 2026-2027 academic year.