(a) A public school building, including a public charter school building, constructed or remodeled after July 1, 2023, must, at a minimum:

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Terms Used In Tennessee Code 49-6-818

  • Jurisdiction: (1) The legal authority of a court to hear and decide a case. Concurrent jurisdiction exists when two courts have simultaneous responsibility for the same case. (2) The geographic area over which the court has authority to decide cases.
  • Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(1) Include a door-locking mechanism on each classroom door that allows the classroom door to be locked from the inside;
(2) Have installed a clear, bullet-resistant or entry-resistant film on the glass panel of each exterior entry or basement level window and door to prevent individuals from entering the school building without authorization by breaking the glass in an exterior entry or basement level window or door;
(3) Include a camera system that continuously monitors each entrance, hallway, and communal area in the school building during regular school hours and during school-related events and activities conducted on school grounds that is accessible by a local law enforcement agency in an emergency situation; and
(4) Include at least one (1) secure vestibule that serves as the primary entrance to the school building that contains two (2) separate sets of doors through which a person must pass to gain entrance into the school building that are each capable of being locked separately to prevent a person from entering the school building until an LEA or school employee authorizes a person to enter.
(b) The date on which a public school building, including a public charter school building, is constructed for purposes of this section is the date on which the plans for the school building were approved by the agency having jurisdiction to approve construction of the school building or the date on which the construction permit was issued for the school building, whichever occurs first.
(c) If a public school building, including a public charter school building, is remodeled, then the requirements specified in subsection (a) only apply to the portions of the building that are remodeled.
(d) As used in this section, “remodeled”:

(1) Means a change to an existing building or facility, including, but not limited to, renovation, rehabilitation, reconstruction, historic restoration, changes or rearrangement in structural parts or elements, and changes or rearrangement in the plan configuration of walls and full-height partitions; and
(2) Does not include routine maintenance, reroofing, painting or wallpapering, asbestos removal, or changes to mechanical or electrical systems so long as the changes do not affect the usability of the building or facility.
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