The general assembly finds that ensuring the quality of elementary and secondary education in Tennessee is a compelling state interest. The filing of meritless litigation against teachers, administrators, and other school employees interferes with the quality of public and private education, particularly where the litigation arises out of the good faith efforts of educators to maintain classroom discipline or to address threats to student safety. Meritless litigation also diverts a school's financial and personnel resources to litigation defense activities, which reduces the availability of those resources for educational opportunities for students. The general assembly finds that legislation to deter the filing of meritless litigation and to sanction deliberately false reports levied against educators is a rational and appropriate method to serve this compelling state interest. This part is intended to reflect and expand upon federal educator protection statutes. This part does not apply to public or private educators who have been convicted of a crime or who have been terminated for misconduct.