Legislators voting down in amendments to protect students with disabilities

Nashville, Tenn. (WTVF) -Tennessee legislators discussed strongly in a special session prior to an educational voucher voting on how the bill of the bill would affect students with disabilities.

HB 6004 provides the framework for how public tax dollars would finance teaching costs for students who want to go to private school. House Majority Manager William Lamberth and Sen. Jack Johnson is still the Bill’s primary sponsors of the Freedom of Education Act of 2025.

At least 22 amendments were submitted before voting in the floor of the house from Democrats, but a Republican.

Rep. Chris Hurt, R-Halls, filed a change that private schools could not discriminate against students with disabilities.

In the end, the house voted in the amendment, but not without debate.

“I’ve been talking to parents and they don’t feel there’s enough protection in the bill right now. I understand it uphill. It’s the first one I’ve brought in seven years. This only strengthens the bill. We are here for Standing these students and giving them opportunities.

Lamberth said Hurt interpreted the educational bill mistakenly. He said the private school was still bound by federal permission to provide students.

“This is an area I know that public schools are doing a phenomenal job on,” Lamberth said. “I think everyone’s intention is good. I don’t want to hurt where the intention is good. It’s a good thing. I’m worried that this is not the best way to do it.”

Hall said he did not feel that the bill provided strong enough protection.

“The goal of this bill is choice. I get. I get. Let’s give the same choices and strengthen these choices for our special students. Let us not give them a seat on the back of the table,” Hurt said. “I can’t sit at free.”

The movement to the table failed with bipartisan support. Leader Lamberth said he would vote No.

“I don’t know what this will do fully. I trust how it’s drafted. I hope this is not a poison pill. I really do,” Lamberth said.

Others claimed that this should have reviewed the committee process that was met with a chorus of boos. They said some private schools are unable to deal with students with disabilities. Republican legislators said private schools would be “sued in oblivion” if they could not be met with different needs at these special schools.

“The public school system does a good job of working with students with disabilities,” rep. William Slater, R-Gallatin. “It’s a true statement. It’s because there are federal funds going directly to the schools with students with disabilities. I have to vote against it, respectfully. We will put in danger students with disabilities. It is an unsustainable situation.”

The Voucher bill has still not been voted on by the full legislative bodies of parliament and the Senate. The debate is still going on.

How legislators voted on the amendment

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