Bill Affecting Undocumented Children In TN Schools Passes House Committee

A bill working its way through the state house that affects undocumented students, has passed a major hurdle. House bill 793 is an amendment to Tennessee law. The amendment reads that a local education agency or LEA or public charter school may enroll, or refuse to enroll, a student who is unlawfully present in the United States. Under the bill, undocumented children could stay in school, but would have to pay tuition. The bill was first introduced in February and drew immediate criticism from people mainly on the left. Those critis point out a US Supreme Court ruling from 40 years ago that states all children have a right to a free and public education.

Republican lawmakers in the house say that educating undocumented students is costing the state too much money. The bill passed the House Education Committee on Wednesday by an 11-7 vote. The bill now heads to the Government Operations Committee in the house. The same bill is scheduled to be debated in the Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee on April 1.