HB 746 / SB 1044

This bill strengthens enrollment requirements for Tennessee’s public schools by ensuring that only students who can verify their U.S. citizenship or legal residency receive taxpayer-funded education. Under the bill, parents or guardians must provide proof of the student’s legal status when enrolling in a public school. Acceptable documentation includes a birth certificate proving U.S. birth, a voter registration, a driver’s license or photo ID, a U.S. passport (for the student, parent, or guardian), or a military or veterans’ ID (for the parent or guardian).

Parents or guardians who have previously submitted these documents do not need to resubmit them to prevent unnecessary bureaucracy, and school employees are exempt. However, if a parent or guardian fails to provide the required proof, they may still enroll their child—but only by covering the full cost of public education for their student, ensuring Tennessee taxpayers are not forced to fund education for those who cannot prove legal residency.

This legislation is critical in curbing illegal immigration’s financial burden on Tennessee taxpayers. It ensures that public education resources are reserved for lawfully residing in the state and prevents non-residents and undocumented immigrants from receiving taxpayer-funded benefits. School districts will be responsible for enforcing these new enrollment requirements, reinforcing the principle that Tennessee’s hardworking taxpayers should not have to bear the cost of educating those who cannot demonstrate legal residency.