Tennessee Bills

HB 2257 changes the deadline for Tennessee's Department of Education to update a list of state laws about student and parent rights. It replaces the previous requirement (updating within 60 days after the legislature adjourns) with a fixed annual deadline of July 1. This procedural change affects only the Department of Education, requiring them to publish the updated list by July 1 each year instead of after each legislative session. The bill does not alter the content of the rights list or create new policies.

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.

HB 2368 shortens the reporting deadline for certain offenses occurring within Tennessee penal institutions. It changes the required timeframe from five business days to three business days for wardens or chief administrative officers to notify the district attorney general of the institution's judicial district. This amendment applies to multiple sections of Tennessee law related to criminal justice, including Titles 8, 10, 33, 36, 37, 38, 39, 40, 41, 49, 50, 55, and 70 of the Tennessee Code Annotated. The bill directly affects penal institutions' administrative procedures and the district attorneys handling these reports.

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.

HB 2571 creates a two-year provisional license for internationally trained physicians in Tennessee who pass required exams and meet specific criteria, including holding an ECFMG certificate and completing postgraduate training. The license requires employment at approved facilities like federally qualified health centers or rural clinics with onsite supervising physicians. After two years of satisfactory practice at these approved sites, physicians may qualify for a full medical license upon demonstrating competency and passing USMLE steps. This bill directly affects foreign-trained doctors seeking to practice in Tennessee while establishing clear pathways for supervised training and licensure.

HB 2532 increases the maximum number of education freedom scholarships available to eligible Tennessee students from 25,000 to 40,000 for the 2026-2027 school year. It directs the governor to elect Tennessee’s participation in a federal education tax credit program by December 2026 and comply with all future requirements to maintain that participation. The bill amends Tennessee Code to clarify scholarship eligibility for K-12 students and establishes the 40,000 cap as the new maximum limit. These changes directly affect students qualifying for the education freedom scholarship program and the state’s administrative processes for the program.

SB 2533, known as "The Isbill Act," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers and correctional personnel to undergo annual training on criteria for involuntary mental health admissions. It mandates the POST commission and Tennessee corrections institute to develop guidelines and training materials covering both emergency and nonemergency involuntary admissions to inpatient treatment. The bill directly affects all law enforcement officers and correctional staff in Tennessee, requiring them to complete this training annually. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, and amends Tennessee Code Sections 38-8-101, 41-7-101, and 33-6-401.

SB 2361 changes Tennessee's requirement for the Department of Education's Office of Early Learning to report on pre-kindergarten programs from annually to once every three years. The bill modifies reporting requirements in state code to mandate a triennial report covering the number, location, and types of pre-K providers, along with the number of at-risk children served. This directly affects the Office of Early Learning, reducing its reporting burden from yearly to every three years. The report must still be published online and sent to the governor and legislature, but the frequency of submission is the key change.

SB 2247 increases the maximum number of education freedom scholarships available to eligible K-12 students in Tennessee from 25,000 to 40,000 for the 2026-2027 school year. It also requires the governor to elect Tennessee's participation in the federal education tax credit program established by "The One, Big, Beautiful Bill Act" by December 31, 2026, and to comply with all future requirements to maintain that participation. The bill directly affects students qualifying for these state-funded scholarships, which cover education expenses at participating schools. Key provisions include raising the scholarship cap and mandating state-level compliance with the federal tax credit program. These changes aim to expand access to education choice while aligning with federal program requirements.