Tennessee Bills

HB 1663 exempts family child care homes operating under a U.S. Department of Defense certificate (per 32 CFR 79.6) from Tennessee's licensing requirements, provided they serve only military-connected families ("eligible patrons" as defined in federal regulations). The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 71, Chapter 3, to clarify that such providers do not need a state license or exemption to operate legally. This directly affects military-affiliated child care providers who already comply with federal DoD standards. The policy change takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 1911 would allow non-citizen residents of Tennessee to access their own law enforcement records, such as arrest reports or traffic citations, by removing a citizenship requirement in public records law. To obtain these records, non-citizens must submit a written request, a government-issued photo ID, and an affidavit confirming the record pertains solely to them. The bill specifically applies only to records about the requester and does not override existing confidentiality laws for other types of records. This change would directly affect non-citizen individuals seeking access to their personal law enforcement documentation within Tennessee.

SB 2140 changes the deadline for Tennessee school districts to report if they lack sufficient school nurses. Specifically, it moves the reporting date from July 31 to July 1 each year for districts that haven't contracted for or employed at least one nurse per 750 students. The bill directly affects Local Education Agencies (LEAs) across Tennessee by requiring earlier notification to the state education department about nurse staffing shortfalls. This procedural change aims to improve timeliness in addressing school nurse coverage gaps.

SB 1848 amends Tennessee law to expand access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder by allowing more healthcare providers (beyond physicians) to directly administer buprenorphine without naloxone, acting within their scope of practice. The bill specifically permits prescribing to nursing mothers and patients with documented adverse reactions to naloxone, and clarifies that prescribing injectable forms doesn't restrict providers from prescribing buprenorphine without naloxone. These changes aim to streamline treatment options while maintaining safety protocols for specific patient groups. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 53-11-311(b)(1) and (c)(2).

HB 1904 requires Tennessee courts to follow specific procedures from the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) when handling child custody cases involving Indian children. It directly affects courts, Indian children, their families, and tribal organizations by mandating that courts consider tribal jurisdiction and prioritize placements reflecting Indian cultural values. Key provisions define terms like "Indian child" and "tribal court," and require transferring custody cases to tribal courts when appropriate, unless there's "good cause" to keep them in state court. The bill aims to align Tennessee's child welfare practices with federal standards protecting tribal interests and family stability.

SB 1850 amends Tennessee law to prevent the Department of Children's Services from requiring relative caregivers (including those in kinship foster care programs) to provide a child with their own bedroom when determining placement. The bill directly affects relative caregivers and the department by removing this specific housing requirement, unless safety or medical reasons necessitate it. Key provisions clarify that placement decisions must prioritize a child's best interest without mandating separate bedrooms, easing barriers for families with limited housing space. This change applies to all kinship foster care placements under the amended sections of Tennessee Code Annotated.

HB 1984 expands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder by allowing more healthcare providers to directly administer buprenorphine mono or buprenorphine without naloxone, as long as they act within their scope of practice. It specifically permits prescribing these medications to nursing mothers and patients with documented adverse reactions to naloxone, and clarifies that prescribing injectable forms doesn’t restrict providers from later prescribing non-naloxone buprenorphine. The bill amends Tennessee’s pharmacy law (TCA Title 53, Chapter 11) to remove barriers for these specific scenarios. This directly affects healthcare providers (like nurse practitioners or physician assistants) and patients seeking opioid treatment, particularly nursing mothers and those with allergies to naloxone.

SB 1970 allows non-citizens in Tennessee to access their own law enforcement records, such as arrest reports or incident reports, which previously were restricted to state citizens. To obtain these records, non-citizens must submit a written request, valid photo ID, and a signed affidavit confirming the record pertains solely to them. The bill amends Tennessee’s public records law (TCA Title 10, Chapter 7) to override a prior citizenship restriction for this specific purpose. It does not affect confidential records or grant access to records about others. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

SB 1821 amends Tennessee's food safety law to exclude certain nonprofits (like churches, temples, civic groups, and veteran organizations) from being classified as "food service establishments" when volunteers prepare, serve, transport, or store food. This change removes these organizations from requiring food safety permits or inspections under the law, regardless of how often volunteers handle food. The exemption specifically excludes storage of unopened canned food, non-hazardous packaged bulk food, and dry goods from the definition. This bill directly affects volunteer-run nonprofits that serve food at events, simplifying their regulatory compliance.

SB 1930 amends Tennessee law to require that anyone convicted of second-degree murder (specifically for knowingly killing another) receive a minimum sentence as a Range II offender. This means judges cannot sentence such offenders below the standard Range II sentencing level, though sentences could still fall within Range III if warranted. The bill applies to offenses committed on or after July 1, 2026, and directly affects individuals convicted of second-degree murder in Tennessee. It changes the sentencing minimum without altering the maximum penalties for this crime.

HB 2070, the "Tennessee Energy Freedom Act," protects fossil fuel industry activities by limiting legal liability for emissions. It prohibits lawsuits or penalties related to emissions from coal, oil, and natural gas operations (defined as "covered activities") unless the emissions violate federal environmental laws like the Clean Air Act. The bill restricts liability claims to "in-jurisdiction products" - meaning only emissions from fossil fuels actually shipped into Tennessee - and bars claims based on emissions from products sold outside the state. This directly affects fossil fuel companies operating in Tennessee and any entities seeking to hold them liable for emissions.

HB 1582 extends Tennessee's Interstate Compact for Juveniles, a cooperative agreement with other states for handling juvenile offenders crossing state lines, until June 30, 2034. This bill amends Tennessee law to change the expiration date from its current date to the new deadline, ensuring the compact remains active without needing renewal. The extension directly affects Tennessee's juvenile justice system, courts, and agencies that coordinate with other states on juvenile cases. It is a procedural change that maintains existing operations without altering the compact's substance or requirements.