Tennessee Bills

SB 1797 prohibits managed care organizations (MCOs) in Tennessee from unilaterally suspending, denying, terminating, or otherwise ending contracts with qualified nursing facilities participating in the TennCare program. The bill directly affects nursing homes certified to provide Medicaid nursing care and MCOs that contract with them. Key provisions require MCOs to report concerns about facility performance to the Bureau of TennCare (not to act independently), and grant the bureau exclusive authority to determine termination - only allowing MCOs to act if the bureau has authorized termination, suspended payments for fraud, or if the facility was excluded from Medicare/Medicaid. The bill ensures nursing facilities cannot be removed from TennCare networks without bureau approval, maintaining service continuity for Medicaid beneficiaries during reviews.

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.

HB 1970, the "Tennessee Real Estate Consumer Fraud Protection Act," requires key changes to real estate transactions. It mandates that title insurance premiums be split equally between buyers and sellers (Section 3), requires foreign title insurers to maintain a Tennessee office while liable (Section 2), and requires deeds for real property conveyances to be prepared by licensed Tennessee attorneys with their license number included (Section 5). The bill also requires non-resident property purchasers to designate a Tennessee agent for legal service (Section 4). These provisions take effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting buyers, sellers, title insurers, non-resident purchasers, and real estate attorneys.

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.

HB 1987 requires Tennessee's alcoholic beverage commission to automatically reinstate licenses or permits suspended for refusing to provide business records to the revenue commissioner. It directly affects alcohol wholesalers and retailers who previously faced suspension when not submitting required books, papers, or records within five business days. The bill mandates that once these documents are provided, the license must be reinstated within five business days, with the commissioner notifying the commission. This changes the current process by removing discretion for reinstatement after the documents are submitted. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 57, Section 57-6-202.

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.

HB 2081 amends Tennessee laws related to child abuse and sexual abuse by adding the commissioner of mental health and substance abuse services to the Second Look Commission (Section 1). It updates legal definitions to include "strangulation" in abuse statutes (Sections 7, 8) and requires law enforcement officers to refer victims of child sexual abuse to child advocacy centers for forensic interviews (Section 9). The bill also expands the commission’s access to state agency records for its work (Section 6). These changes directly affect child protective teams, law enforcement, and child advocacy centers handling abuse cases. Most provisions take effect July 1, 2026.