TN HB6004

Summary of Tennessee HB4 - Education Freedom Act of 2025

• Creates the Education Freedom Scholarship Program providing state-funded scholarships equal to the base funding amount for eligible K-12 students to attend approved private schools, with 20,000 scholarships available in 2025-2026 (10,000 reserved for lower-income students or students with disabilities, 10,000 open to all eligible students)

• Scholarship funds may cover private school tuition and fees, textbooks, tutoring, transportation, technology, summer programs, postsecondary exam fees, and educational therapy services; unspent funds roll over annually until graduation or program exit

• Recipients in grades 3-11 must take either a nationally standardized achievement test or TCAP tests in math and English language arts, with results reported annually to the comptroller's office for legislative reporting

• Provides one-time bonuses of at least $2,000 to K-12 public school teachers employed during 2024-2025, contingent on local school boards adopting a resolution to participate by June 1, 2025

• Allocates 80% of sports betting privilege tax revenue to a disbursement account for public school construction and maintenance, prioritizing economically distressed counties, high-performing districts, and fast-growth LEAs at $25 per enrolled student