TN HB2226

Prohibits professional employees (teachers) and local boards of education from engaging or participating in collaborative conferencing, effectively ending collective bargaining for public school employees in Tennessee.

Redefines "representative" to explicitly exclude attorneys from representing either professional employees or school boards in conferencing matters.

Preserves the right of professional employees to request meetings with boards of education, but grants boards the explicit right to refuse such requests.

Allows local boards to voluntarily consult with individual professional employees, but not through formal collaborative conferencing processes.

Takes effect July 1, 2026, with existing contracts and memoranda of understanding honored until their expiration dates.