Protecting Tennessee Schools and Events Act

Amends TCA Title 12 and Title 49.

Tennessee HB0399, titled the "Protecting Tennessee Schools and Events Act," mandates the establishment of a pilot program by the Department of Education to provide grants to local education agencies (LEAs) in economically distressed or at-risk counties for the purchase of portable walk-through metal detectors by July 1, 2025. The bill specifies that grants may not exceed $16,000 per detector, with a total cap of $48,000 per LEA, and outlines procurement requirements, vendor selection criteria, and data collection protocols to assess the effectiveness of the detectors in enhancing school safety. Key provisions include competitive procurement processes, vendor-led training, and annual reporting to ensure compliance with safety and operational standards.