Tennessee Bills

This bill requires Tennessee's alcohol beverage commission to restore licenses or permits to wholesalers or retailers within five business days if they provide requested business records to the commissioner of revenue. It directly affects alcohol businesses whose licenses were suspended or revoked solely for refusing to allow record inspections. The law mandates that once the documents are submitted, the commissioner must notify the commission, triggering automatic reinstatement. This changes the previous process by setting a strict timeline for license restoration when businesses comply with inspection requests. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 57, Section 57-6-202.

SB 1912 requires Tennessee public schools and charter schools to adopt internet acceptable use policies that include student safety protocols, parental communication guidelines, and strict limits on accessing harmful content (like pornography, violence, or self-harm material). It specifically bans schools from creating email addresses for pre-K-5 students that allow them to send or receive emails, though schools may use email addresses as security data points. The bill mandates annual audits to ensure compliance and requires digital resource providers to filter harmful content and remove inappropriate materials within one business day of a school's request. This directly affects all Tennessee public schools and pre-K-5 students by restructuring how internet safety and digital access are managed.

SB 2101 amends Tennessee law (TCA Title 47, Section 47-16-103(c)) to extend the deadline for litigation financiers to update their registration with the Secretary of State from 30 to 35 days when their information changes or becomes inaccurate. This bill directly affects litigation financiers operating in Tennessee, who must register with the state. The key provision is a 5-day extension for submitting updated registration details, with no other substantive changes to the registration requirements. The bill is procedural and does not alter the underlying rules governing litigation financing.

This bill extends the deadline for nursing homes to pay an annual assessment fee under Tennessee's Medicaid program (TennCare) from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2027. It directly affects licensed nursing homes receiving Medicaid reimbursement by delaying their payment obligation by one year. The bill primarily revises specific dates in Tennessee law (TCA Title 71, Chapter 5, Part 10) related to fee collection and reimbursement calculations. These changes align the fee schedule with updated fiscal year timelines without altering the underlying reimbursement methodology.

HB 1867 amends Tennessee's TennCare reporting requirements to allow the TennCare division to submit its annual coverage assessment report more frequently than the current quarterly schedule. The bill specifically revises TCA Title 71, Chapter 5, by adding language permitting the division to submit reports at "more frequent intervals" to the finance and health committees of both legislative houses. This change affects the TennCare division (which administers Medicaid) and the legislative committees overseeing healthcare funding. It does not alter coverage policies or eligibility but modifies the reporting timeline for transparency. The bill is currently pending committee review after introduction in January 2026.

HB 1864 extends Tennessee's nursing home annual assessment fee deadline from June 30, 2026, to June 30, 2027, affecting licensed nursing facilities participating in TennCare (Tennessee's Medicaid program). The bill primarily adjusts key dates in the state's Medicaid reimbursement system for nursing homes, including extending the fee payment period and modifying fiscal year references in the law. These changes align with the existing process for recalculating reimbursement rates based on nursing home cost reports. The bill does not alter the underlying reimbursement methodology but delays the implementation timeline for the current fee structure.

HB 1985 removes the requirement for alarm contractors to hold a license when selling, installing, or monitoring still cameras and televisions. This change directly affects alarm contractors who previously needed special licensing for these devices. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 62-32-304(j) to exclude still cameras and televisions from the list of equipment subject to licensing under the Alarm Contractors Licensing Act. The policy change simplifies licensing requirements for contractors working with common consumer electronics.

HB 2029 revises Tennessee's licensure requirements for dietitians and nutritionists, creating a new "Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act" in Title 63. It requires licensure for medical nutrition therapy (like managing diabetes or kidney disease) but allows unlicensed providers to offer general nutrition advice (e.g., healthy eating tips for the public). The bill expands the governing board from five to nine members and defines key terms, such as "complex" cases needing licensed care versus "non-complex" situations. This directly affects dietitians, nutritionists, and healthcare consumers seeking these services in Tennessee.

SB 2072 requires Tennessee school districts and public charter schools to submit annual spending reports by August 1 each year to the state education office and the comptroller's office. These reports must detail spending in seven key areas, including teacher salaries, student support services (like counseling), facility costs, and administrative expenses. The state will then post all submitted reports publicly on the official school report card website, including total state funding amounts for each school. This makes detailed school spending data accessible to parents and the public without changing how funds are allocated.

HB 1891 allows Tennessee drivers who pay the fine for a speeding ticket without appearing in court to enroll in an approved online driver education course. If they complete the course within 90 days of their conviction, up to five points will be removed from their driving record. Court clerks must provide online registration for these courses through their websites. This change applies specifically to speeding convictions and takes effect July 1, 2026.

HB 1886 requires Tennessee public schools and charter schools to adopt internet acceptable use policies that include specific safety protocols, parental communication guidelines, and restrictions on student access to harmful content like pornography, violence, or self-harm material. The bill specifically prohibits schools from allowing students in pre-kindergarten through fifth grade to use school-created email addresses for sending or receiving messages, though schools may create email addresses solely for identifying students in security or grading systems. It mandates annual audits to ensure compliance with these policies and requires third-party digital resource providers to filter prohibited content and verify safety protections. These changes directly affect all Tennessee public schools, charter schools, and digital resource vendors serving pre-K-12 students.

HB 2018 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies to accept and honor federal immigration detainers by maintaining custody of individuals for 48 hours beyond their scheduled release date (excluding weekends and holidays) to allow federal authorities to take custody. It also mandates that agencies notify federal immigration officials as soon as possible before releasing someone subject to a detainer. This applies to all Tennessee law enforcement agencies and takes effect July 1, 2026. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections related to law enforcement procedures to implement these requirements.