Tennessee enacted a law reshaping how public colleges handle faculty misconduct involving tenured and nontenured staff. The legislation requires governing boards to adopt policies that distinguish tenure decisions from disciplinary actions and mandates that disciplinary actions follow consistent procedures across tenure status. Supporters of House Bill 2194 said the change prevents tenure from being used as a shield against misconduct consequences, while critics argued it weakens tenure protections by limiting existing due process steps for disciplinary decisions. The bill summary says termination or suspension based on misconduct allegations would require notice and an opportunity to be heard by top institutional officers, without a recommendation or vote from another faculty body. The measure also requires policy posting and directs institutions to preserve principles of institutional neutrality, free expression, and civil discourse. The policy shift is likely to prompt immediate updates to faculty handbooks, governance processes, and campus disciplinary frameworks.