Tennessee Votes

SB1713 DEI Restrictions (Passed 26 to 5 on 4/22/2026). Strengthens enforcement of Tennessee's restrictions on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in government and public higher education.

HB1271 Biological Sex (Passed 72 to 16 on 3/30/2026). Requires Tennessee state and local governments to define sex and gender as male or female based on anatomy and genetics at birth.

Ends the ability of state regulatory and health-related boards to use race, color, ethnicity, or national origin as factors in their membership decisions.

Requires the Department of Human Services to identify any federal regulations or state law or rules that inhibit its ability to deliver benefits for the food assistance program.

Would prohibit the display of any flag other than the United States flag and the official Tennessee state flag in public schools.

Prevents the Department of Children's Services from denying a parent's ability to foster or adopt based upon the parent's religious or moral beliefs regarding "sexual orientation or gender identity."

Changes the designation of June 19, known as "Juneteenth," from a day of special observance to a legal holiday.

Prohibits healthcare providers from performing certain medical procedures on minors or administering specific treatments if the purpose is to help the minor identify with or live as an identity that is claimed but inconsistent with the minor's biological or assigned sex at birth.

Requires an LEA or public charter school to notify a student's parent or guardian prior to commencing instruction of a "sexual orientation or gender identity" curriculum.

Requires an LEA or public charter school to notify a student's parent or guardian prior to commencing instruction of a "sexual orientation or gender identity" curriculum.