Tennessee Bills

SB 2025 creates a pilot program for criminal magistrates in Tennessee's 10 counties with the highest criminal court caseloads, as determined by the state comptroller's annual study. Participating counties must first pass a local ordinance to authorize the position, after which judges (excluding general sessions judges) appoint the magistrate to handle specific duties like initial court appearances, setting bail, accepting guilty pleas for misdemeanors and certain felonies, and issuing warrants. The magistrate serves a four-year term and can be removed by the judges, with compensation set by the judges and approved by the county legislature. This program begins January 1, 2027, and is limited to counties that choose to participate.

SB 1939 amends Tennessee law to allow the TennCare division to submit its annual coverage assessment report to the Senate and House finance and health committees more often than quarterly. The bill directly affects the TennCare division (which manages Tennessee's Medicaid program) and the legislative committees overseeing health and budget matters. Its key provision inserts language permitting the division to submit the report on a more frequent basis, rather than requiring the current quarterly schedule. This change streamlines reporting without altering the content or purpose of the assessment.

SB 2114 allows drivers who pay the fine for a speeding ticket (instead of appearing in court) to register for an approved online driver education course. Successful completion of the course within 90 days of conviction removes up to five points from the driver's record for the speeding offense. Court clerks must make this registration available online via their websites. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.

SB 2081 expands a Tennessee law that prohibits health insurance plans from requiring step therapy (trying less expensive treatments first) before covering approved cancer drugs. It removes the current restriction that only applied to "stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer or metastatic blood cancer," instead applying the prohibition to **all cancer diagnoses**. This means cancer patients in Tennessee with insurance plans covering cancer treatment cannot be forced through step therapy protocols before accessing approved drugs. The law takes effect January 1, 2027, for new or renewed insurance policies.

SB 1486 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies to accept and honor federal immigration detainers by holding individuals for 48 hours beyond their scheduled release time (excluding weekends and holidays) to allow federal authorities to take custody. Agencies must also notify federal immigration officials as soon as possible before releasing someone subject to a detainer. This law applies to all Tennessee law enforcement agencies and directly affects individuals detained under federal immigration requests. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee statutes related to law enforcement and immigration cooperation.

HB 2268 amends Tennessee law to allow state employee child care programs to operate in office buildings leased by the state, not just those owned by the state. This change directly affects state employees who rely on on-site or nearby child care options while working at state agencies. The key provision modifies Section 8-50-1301(b) of Tennessee Code by replacing "state-owned office buildings" with "state-owned or leased office buildings," expanding where such programs can be located. The bill does not alter funding or eligibility but simplifies access to child care facilities within state workplaces.

SB 1612 amends Tennessee law to allow state agencies to operate child care programs for state employees in leased office buildings, not just state-owned ones. This change directly affects state agencies that lease office space and their employees who rely on workplace child care. The bill updates existing code (Title 8) by replacing "state-owned office buildings" with "state-owned or leased office buildings" to expand where such programs can be located. It does not create new funding or services but adjusts eligibility for existing child care program locations. The amendment takes effect upon becoming law.

SB 2543 shortens the deadline for prison staff to report certain offenses to local prosecutors. It changes Tennessee law to require wardens or chief administrative officers in penal institutions to notify the district attorney general within three business days (instead of five) when specific crimes occur inside prisons. The bill amends Section 39-16-202(a)(1) of the Tennessee Code and affects all state penal institutions. This is a procedural change focused on streamlining reporting timelines for criminal incidents within correctional facilities.

SB 2163 limits liability for celebrities who endorse alcoholic beverages or alcohol-serving establishments in Tennessee. It clarifies that celebrity endorsement agreements - where a celebrity licenses their image for promotion - do not create ownership interest or make the celebrity legally responsible for injuries, deaths, or damages related to the endorsed brand or venue. To qualify, celebrities must be 21+, U.S. citizens, and have no recent alcohol-related convictions or felony convictions. The law applies to all such agreements, including social media promotions or live appearances, and requires the alcohol commission to verify celebrity eligibility if they receive 5%+ of sales proceeds.

HB 2263 amends Tennessee law to specifically criminalize intentionally starving livestock to death in a "depraved and sadistic manner" without justification, expanding the definition of aggravated cruelty to livestock. This directly affects individuals who commit such acts against livestock, making it a Class E felony. The bill adds starvation as a distinct prohibited act under existing cruelty statutes, requiring proof of extreme cruelty and lack of lawful purpose. It will take effect on July 1, 2026, if passed. The law targets severe cases of livestock abuse, not routine farming practices.

HB 2272 limits liability for celebrities who endorse alcoholic beverage brands or on-premise establishments (like bars) in Tennessee. It states that celebrities are not liable for injuries, deaths, or damages related to the endorsed products unless they personally sold, supervised, or were directly involved in the sales. To qualify, celebrities must meet specific requirements, including being 21+, U.S. citizens, and having no recent alcohol-related convictions. The bill clarifies that endorsement agreements and promotional activities do not create ownership or management control over the business. This directly affects celebrities, beverage brands, and establishments by shifting liability to the businesses themselves.

SB 2377 changes the annual deadline for Tennessee's Department of Education to update its list of student rights laws. The bill requires the department to complete this update by July 1 each year, instead of within 60 days after the legislative session ends. This affects the department's administrative process and ensures parents, students, and schools have a consistent, yearly updated reference for student rights under Tennessee law.