Tennessee Bills

SB 1622 requires Tennessee’s Department of Children’s Services to create a statewide, county-level quality assurance program by July 2027. The program must measure service quality through outcomes like child safety and permanency, using county coordinators and committees to track progress. The department must submit quarterly progress reports to the legislature starting in 2026 and publicly post annual county performance grades on its website. This affects county child welfare offices, social workers, and the department’s service delivery system, aiming to improve outcomes for children and families through data-driven feedback.

HB 1681 revises Tennessee's infrastructure development district laws to clarify procedures for creating and managing these districts, which are used for real estate infrastructure projects in local communities. Key changes include requiring public hearings for district establishment, allowing joint hearings across multiple municipalities, limiting infrastructure bonds to 30 years (with phase-based extensions), and permitting special assessments to cover administrative costs like property tax collection. The bill also adjusts district dissolution to occur 30 years after the last special assessment is levied, rather than from the district's creation date. These provisions directly affect municipalities establishing such districts and property owners within them who may face special assessments.

HB 1710 requires Tennessee counties, cities, and towns (local governmental entities) to verify applicants' U.S. citizenship or lawful presence in the U.S. before distributing public benefits. This applies to all applicants aged 18+ seeking federal, state, or local benefits, with implementation required by updating forms or systems after July 1, 2026. The bill authorizes the attorney general to investigate violations of these verification rules and mandates local entities to maintain applicant documentation. It also specifies that benefits cannot be delayed solely while verification is pending, and final verification failures trigger benefit termination.

SB 1849 shortens the deadline for Tennessee counties to post revisions to their charter of incorporation on their official websites. It reduces the current three-month posting window to two months, affecting all Tennessee counties required to maintain public access to charter documents. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee Code Annotated (Titles 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12, and 67) to implement this change. This is a procedural adjustment focused on streamlining local government administrative requirements. The bill was introduced in January 2026 and has advanced through initial committee stages.

SB 1847 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 39-14-211(b), by extending the time period for using deadly force to protect property from 24 to 48 hours. This change lowers the legal standard for justifying deadly force by allowing more time to respond to property threats. The bill directly affects property owners and residents facing property crimes, as it expands circumstances where deadly force could be considered lawful. The amendment specifically modifies a statute governing the use of force in defense of property, not firearms regulation.

HB 1759 changes a state law requiring the Tennessee Department of Education to publish a directory of apprenticeship program contacts for each public high school. The bill delays the publication deadline from September 1 to December 1 each year. This affects the Department of Education's administrative schedule and public high schools, which must provide contact information for their apprenticeship programs. The amendment updates Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 49-6-419(c), to reflect this date change.

HB 1906 requires that state police officers and agents of the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation receive retirement credit for time off due to disability at no cost to them if they apply for it on or after July 1, 2026. It also allows cities and counties to pass resolutions enabling their police officers to earn similar disability retirement credit without cost, either by adopting the provision for the first time or adjusting existing arrangements. The bill mandates that employers document the disability period and pre-disability salary, with retirement credit calculated based on that salary. This law takes effect on July 1, 2026, impacting state and local law enforcement officers covered by the new provisions.

SB 1992 creates a new Class E felony offense for intentionally influencing the outcome of an event when a person or another party has a financial contract with a prediction market that benefits from that outcome. It directly affects individuals using prediction markets - defined as platforms where people trade contracts based on unknown future events - such as sports, elections, or economic indicators. The law prohibits conduct meant to sway results for personal financial gain through these markets, treating violations as serious criminal offenses. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and defines "prediction-market" specifically to clarify the scope of the new crime.

HB 1943 requires Tennessee hospital emergency departments to provide a medical screening exam to pregnant women reporting active labor or an emergency medical condition, without denial or delay. It prohibits transferring a pregnant woman to another facility unless her condition is stabilized (per federal EMTALA standards) and mandates that transfers only occur with a physician's written certification of medical necessity and the patient's informed consent. The bill directly affects pregnant women seeking emergency care and hospitals operating emergency departments, imposing penalties for violations like denying screenings or transferring without proper authorization. Key provisions include requiring hospitals to offer stabilization treatment or a safe transfer option, documenting patient consent for refusals, and ensuring transfers meet federal guidelines for specialized care. This legislation aligns Tennessee's emergency care protocols for pregnant patients with existing federal emergency medical treatment laws.

SB 1681 requires Tennessee hospital emergency departments to provide an immediate medical screening examination to any pregnant woman presenting with active labor or an emergency medical condition. It prohibits transfers before stabilization (as defined by federal EMTALA standards) unless the woman or her authorized representative provides written consent after being informed of risks and benefits. The bill applies directly to hospitals and pregnant women seeking emergency care, mandating that facilities offer appropriate treatment or transfer under specific conditions. Violations may result in penalties and licensing sanctions, as the law amends Tennessee Codes Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 2079 creates a new Class E felony offense for intentionally influencing the outcome of an event (like a sports game or election) while involved in a prediction market contract where you benefit from the result. It directly affects individuals using platforms where people trade bets on future events, such as sports or political outcomes. The law defines "prediction-market" as any platform enabling contracts based on unknown future events. Violating this would be punishable as a Class E felony, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2026, if passed. The bill is currently pending in the Judiciary Committee.

SB 1592 creates automatic processes to prevent budget deadlocks affecting Tennessee municipalities and their local school districts (LEAs). If a city council and school board fail to agree on a school budget by August 31, the LEA receives minimum state-mandated school funding - plus a 3% mandatory increase after three consecutive years of disagreement. For general municipal operations, if a city council misses the fiscal year budget deadline, the previous year’s budget continues with strict spending limits (capped at prior-year monthly allotments) until a new budget is adopted, extendable only for up to three months with state comptroller approval. The bill directly affects all Tennessee cities with school districts and their governing bodies, ensuring basic services continue during budget disputes.