Tort Liability and Reform - As introduced, expands the definition of a person for whom a wrongful death action may be brought to include an unborn child beginning at fertilization, rather than in utero; extends the period of time from two to three years after which a spouse is rebuttably presumed to have abandoned a deceased spouse for purposes of bringing a wrongful death claim. - Amends TCA Title 20 and Section 63-6-1102.

HB 1528 amends Tennessee wrongful death law to expand who can file such claims and adjust spouse abandonment rules. It adds unborn children (from fertilization, not just in utero) to the definition of "person" eligible for wrongful death claims, directly affecting families seeking compensation for prenatal loss. The bill also extends the time period for presuming a surviving spouse abandoned the deceased from two to three years before a wrongful death claim can proceed. These changes, effective July 1, 2026, would impact wrongful death cases involving prenatal injuries and spouse abandonment disputes under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 20 and Section 63-6-1102.