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The Tennessee House of Representatives approved legislation on Thursday that would allow public schools to display the Ten Commandments.
The bill would also allow local school districts and public charter schools to display other historically significant documents, including the Declaration of Independence, the U.S. Constitution, the Tennessee Constitution, and the Bill of Rights.
House Bill 47 does not require schools to display the documents, but it provides legal protection if they choose to do so.
“These historic documents are the bedrock upon which our nation was founded and offer significant educational value for students,” said state Rep. Michael Hale (R-Smithville), the sponsor of the legislation, according to WZTV.
“Rather than requiring these documents be displayed, the bill puts the decision where it belongs, in the hands of local school agencies. Local school leaders know their communities and classrooms best,” Hale continued.
More below:
🏛️A bill passed in the TN House this morning allowing the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public schools. @WKRN pic.twitter.com/M5iRj29k7G
— Megan Fee (@meganfeetv) February 12, 2026
WZTV has more:
The legislation allows districts and charter schools to decide how to present the documents, including size and placement.
Supporters claim the measure gives schools flexibility while encouraging instruction on the nation’s and state’s founding principles.
A companion version of the bill is expected to be heard in the Senate in the coming weeks.
“I hope 147 school districts will do this to make sure our kids ask questions,” said state Rep. Scott Cepicky (R-Culleoka), according to NewsChannel 5 Nashville.
Here’s more on the Ten Commandments in schools bill that passed the Tennessee house today.
Dems Shaw, Chism, Parkinson, and Miller joined Republicans in support. https://t.co/uRhwkhNWai pic.twitter.com/Iy6JdksdVi
— The Tennessee Holler (@TheTNHoller) February 12, 2026
NewsChannel 5 Nashville shared further:
Democrats raised concerns about religious indoctrination in public schools. State Rep. John Ray Clemmons, D-Nashville, noted that parents already a way for their student to learn more about the Old Testament. “Parents have the choice to send their child to a religious school of their choosing if they want to,” Clemmons said.
State Rep. Justin Pearson, D-Memphis, questioned the motivation behind the bill. “As a Christian person, I still believe this legislation is antithetical to the purposes of education,” said Pearson. “I’ve heard so many times that we don’t want to indoctrinate kids, we don’t want schools to be places of indoctrination. What is this?”
State Rep. Harold Love Jr., D-Nashville, who also serves as Pastor of Lee Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church in Nashville, raised concerns about religious inclusivity. “I know this bill does not address other faith traditions being able to also display their laws as a historical document,” Love said.
State Rep. Johnny Shaw, D-Bolivar, is also a minister, but decided to support the measure. “I don’t think passing legislation is going to change anybody’s mind about God,” said Shaw.
Rep. Monty Fritts, R-Kingston, defended the legislation by referencing Tennessee’s Constitution. “The pure fact of the matter is, our Tennessee Constitution asserts that every man has a natural and indivisible right to worship almighty God. That’s the same one who’s finger who wrote those commands into stone. It doesn’t mention any of the other false gods,” Fritts said.