When I first decided to run for the Tennessee House of Representatives, I knew one thing clearly: if elected, I wanted to be a voice for Tennessee children and families.

As a wife and mother of five, the issues debated at the state legislature are not abstract to me. Conversations surrounding education, nutrition, parental rights and children’s well-being reflect the same concerns many Tennessee families discuss around their own kitchen tables each and every day.

Serving as the state representative for House District 27 is truly an honor and a responsibility I take seriously.

Nearly two years later, I remain deeply committed to being that voice for the families of our state. I’ve never missed a single day in legislative session.

As one of the many moms serving in the legislature, I’m glad to be a part of bringing perspective from mothers around Tennessee on policy discussions surrounding education, health care and the everyday challenges families face. Mothers deserve a voice at the state legislature because we understand firsthand how deeply public policy affects our homes and communities.

That perspective has shaped the priorities I’ve focused on during my first term.

One of those objectives has been strengthening families and helping children find permanency through adoption. I was proud to sponsor a new law allowing courts to waive the home study requirement for prospective adoptive parents who are already serving as guardians but are not related to a child, while preserving safeguards such as criminal background checks and judicial review. Every child deserves the opportunity to grow up in a stable and loving home, and this removes barriers many Tennesseans faced when walking through the adoption process.

Improving the health and well-being of Tennessee’s children has always been a top priority for me. As concerns about childhood obesity, nutrition, and harmful additives continue to grow, I strongly supported legislation prohibiting petroleum-based artificial dyes in meals served through Tennessee’s public and charter school nutrition programs.

I’ve also worked to strengthen classroom learning environments by reducing unnecessary screen time for elementary students and prioritizing teacher-led, in-person instruction with non-electronic learning materials whenever possible. While technology certainly has a place in education, nothing replaces face-to-face instruction, human interaction, and focused classroom engagement, especially during the critical early childhood years.

Another key priority of mine has been ensuring students gain a strong understanding of America’s founding principles and the historic documents that shaped our nation. I believe every student deserves historically accurate, nonpartisan instruction that fosters genuine civic understanding and a deep appreciation for our country’s history and unique heritage.

Parental involvement and transparency have also remained central to my work in the legislature. Parents deserve timely access to important information regarding their children’s health and well-being,

especially in cases involving mental health crises or risks of self-harm, while still preserving strong protections for vulnerable children in abuse-related situations. Beyond family-focused legislation, I also passed a law addressing emerging challenges facing our state by preserving clear legal distinctions between human beings and artificial intelligence in Tennessee law. On the emergency medical care front, I was pleased to help House Bill 1694 cross the finish line, which allows emergency medical personnel to provide lifesaving assistance to injured law enforcement canines hurt in the line of duty when no human patients require emergency care.

As I mentioned above, serving the people of Tennessee has been one of the greatest honors of my life. At the end of the day, every vote I take is guided by one question: will this help strengthen Tennessee’s families and create a better future for our children?

As a mother, that responsibility is deeply personal to me and it is one I will never take lightly.

Rep. Michele Reneau represents House District 27