HB 1761 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Firefighters - As introduced, requires this state's employee assistance program, including components for mental health and wellness, to be available to all active members of a volunteer fire department and all active volunteer members of a combination fire department; makes various other changes. - Amends TCA Section 8-50-119 and Title 68, Chapter 102.

HB 1761 requires Tennessee's state employee assistance program - providing mental health and wellness support - to be available to all active volunteer firefighters in recognized volunteer and combination fire departments, with the state covering all costs. It directly affects volunteer members of these departments, who previously may not have had access to such state-funded support. The bill amends two key sections of state code to expand eligibility and clarify program access, while also making minor technical updates to fire department reporting requirements. The policy change takes effect January 1, 2027, and aims to address mental health needs specific to frontline fire service workers.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 21, 2026 Last action Apr 15, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
7
Committee
10
Apr 15, 2026
Lower · Passed
Taken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Apr 8, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to State & Local Government Committee
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/11/2026
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Cities & Counties Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to State & Local Government Committee
lower
Jan 22, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Cities & Counties Subcommittee
lower
Jan 21, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ron Gant
Ron Gant
RRepublican
TN
94