NASHVILLE (AP) - A bill that has passed the state Senate gives teachers and other school personnel more authority to act against students who pose a safety threat to themselves or others.

Senate Bill 3116 is set for review in the House Education Committee on Tuesday, according to The Commercial Appeal (http://bit.ly/w10cOd).

The measure requires local school boards to adopt policies authorizing teachers and others to temporarily relocate a student with "reasonable or justifiable force," with less fear of being sued by a student. School officials also could make the student remain in place until law enforcement or school resource officers arrive.

Sponsored by Sen. Dolores Gresham, R-Somerville, the bill also requires school principals to fully support teachers who take appropriate action.

The bill applies to incidents on school property, as well as those at official school functions, including sporting events and field trips, Gre sham said. It applies to teachers, administrators, school support staff, bus drivers, cafeteria workers, school resource officers, and school employees who interact with students, she said.

The bill does not apply to special needs students.

Gresham said she heard from teachers concerned about a lawsuit if they try to remove a student during an altercation.

"Teachers should not have to fear they will be found personally liable for standing in a doorway to stop a physical altercation between two students. They should have full authority to remove a student to another location even if it involves the use of force," Gresham said.

The bill is supported by the Tennessee School Board Association and the Tennessee Education Association.

"It is not fair to the vast majority of students who play by the rules to let a small number of students who might resort to physical violence disrupt their education," said Jerry Winters, the Tennessee Education Associat ion's government relations director. "This bill helps to send a strong message that teachers and administrators have every legal right to maintain order in our schools."