Urge members of the House Education Committee to OPPOSE HB 225 to protect parental rights and keep government out of private family affairs.

HB 225 expands direct government involvement in family life by establishing Full Service Community Schools, which integrate academic, health, and social services directly into public schools. While some families in Tennessee may need assistance, this bill sets a dangerous precedent for government intervention in child-rearing, undermining the role of parents in making decisions for their children.

A major concern is the “pipeline services” outlined in the bill, which include social, health, nutrition, and mental health services. These services align with the growing push for “whole child” education and Social-Emotional Learning (SEL), concepts that shift authority from parents to schools in determining what is best for children. By embedding these services within the school system, HB 225 expands the role of government in shaping family life, increasing dependency on state-run programs instead of allowing families and local communities to seek help through private or faith-based initiatives.

The bill also creates grant funding for these programs, managed by the University of Tennessee, further entrenching state-funded intervention into childhood development. The data collection and monitoring provisions within the bill raise concerns over government tracking of student behavior, family situations, and social development—all areas that should remain private family matters, not subjects of state oversight.

HB 225 represents a significant expansion of government power into family life. Instead of empowering parents, it pushes more authority into the hands of government institutions, creating long-term dependency on state programs. While helping struggling families is important, direct government intervention in raising children is a slippery slope that ultimately threatens the liberty of all Tennessee families.