Tennessee Bills

SB 1369 removes the requirement for acute care hospitals in Tennessee to obtain state approval (a "certificate of need") to establish or operate, effective July 1, 2028. It defines "acute care hospital" as one primarily treating patients with an average stay of 25 days or less. This change directly affects new and existing acute care hospitals by eliminating a regulatory hurdle for expansion or operation. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections to implement this change, while maintaining certificate of need requirements for other hospital types.

This Tennessee bill (SB 259) clarifies that parents, legal guardians, or custodians can access all health and medical records of unemancipated minors - including records from treatments provided without parental consent. It also permits school staff to provide basic first aid (bandages, gauze, or ice packs) for minor cuts, scrapes, or bumps. The law affects parents, schools, and healthcare providers by expanding access to minors' health records and defining school staff's limited medical authority. It amends Tennessee codes related to healthcare, education, and minor treatment (Titles 33, 36, 37, 49, 63, and 68).

HB 819 removes a regulatory requirement for acute care hospitals in Tennessee. It exempts these hospitals - defined as facilities treating patients with an average stay of 25 days or less - from needing state approval (a "certificate of need") to open or operate new facilities or expand services. The exemption takes effect on July 1, 2028, and applies to all acute care hospitals under Tennessee law. This change directly affects hospital operators by reducing one layer of state oversight for their facility planning.

SB 520 expands the service area of the West Tennessee River Basin Authority to include Perry, Stewart, Houston, and Humphreys counties. The bill directly affects these four counties and the authority, which will now have jurisdiction over them. Key provisions require the authority to provide only technical assistance, engineering services, and project management support in these newly added counties, rather than full program delivery. This change updates the authority's jurisdictional boundaries in Tennessee Code Annotated Title 64, Section 64-1-1101(c)(1), while maintaining existing service structures for other counties.

HB 220 expands the service area of the West Tennessee River Basin Authority to include Perry, Stewart, Houston, and Humphreys counties. The bill amends state code to replace specific river basin references with "authority service area" throughout the law, clarifying the expanded jurisdiction. Crucially, the authority may only provide technical assistance, engineering services, and project management support in the newly added counties - not full program implementation. This change affects county governments in the four new counties, which can choose to participate in authority programs through a majority vote of their legislative body. The bill updates all relevant legal references to reflect the expanded service area while maintaining the limited service scope for the new counties.

HB 1443, the "Caring for Caregivers Act," creates a pilot program to provide financial grants to family caregivers of Tennessee residents with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. The program, running from 2026 to 2029, offers up to $6,000 annually per caregiver to cover eligible expenses like home modifications for safety, medical equipment, and respite care. To qualify, caregivers must have an adjusted income below the state median (adjusted for family size), and the person they care for must live in a private home while needing help with at least two daily living activities. Grants prioritize very low-income households and are funded through state appropriations and donations.

SB 2397 creates the "Tennessee Retirement Savings Plan Act," establishing a state-run retirement savings program for employed Tennessee residents. The bill forms a Tennessee Retirement Savings Board (with 7 members, including employer and employee representatives) to develop and administer a voluntary, defined contribution retirement plan similar to a 401(k). The board will set investment rules, manage fees, and oversee the plan’s operations through the state treasury. This program directly affects working Tennesseans who can choose to contribute to the plan, with no requirement for employers to participate.

HB 1624 makes knowingly violating a no-contact order issued as part of a defendant's sentence or probation/parole for certain domestic abuse-related crimes a Class A misdemeanor. It directly affects individuals convicted of offenses where the alleged victim was a domestic abuse victim under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code to clarify that violations of such orders - whether issued before release on bond or as part of sentencing - constitute a specific criminal offense. This changes the legal consequence from a general probation breach to a defined misdemeanor charge, effective July 1, 2026.

SB 1716 allows Tennessee public and nonpublic schools to administer any prescribed form of epinephrine (not just auto-injectors) to students experiencing severe allergic reactions. It updates school policy by removing the restriction to "epinephrine auto-injectors" in state law, enabling schools to use vials, syringes, or other forms maintained under physician protocols. Schools must keep epinephrine in secure, accessible locations and follow physician-approved standing protocols. The bill also clarifies that school staff and prescribing physicians won’t face liability for administering epinephrine in good faith during emergencies.

SB 1639 simplifies administrative requirements for Tennessee corporations and charitable organizations ending operations. It removes the filing fee for corporations submitting termination documents, extends the deadline for notifying the Secretary of State after stopping fundraising from 30 to 90 days, and eliminates the requirement for large charitable organizations ($1M+ annual revenue) to submit audited financial statements when ending fundraising. These changes directly affect businesses and nonprofits that cease operations or fundraising activities. The bill aims to reduce paperwork burdens without altering substantive regulations.

SB 1907 would provide a $50,000 annual annuity for five years to the estate of an electrical lineman who dies while performing job duties for a local government or its contractor. The bill defines "electrical lineman" as someone who installs, maintains, or repairs electrical transmission and distribution systems for local governments. It also adds "electrical lineman" to the definition of "emergency responder" in Tennessee law, ensuring these workers qualify for the same benefits as other emergency responders. This change directly affects estates of qualifying linemen and modifies existing statutes in Titles 5, 6, 7, 8, and 50 of Tennessee Code.

SB 1588 creates a security zone around Tennessee's state capitol grounds and surrounding government buildings (including the capitol, legislative offices, and court buildings). It requires the Commissioner of Safety to ensure adequate law enforcement staffing within this zone to protect state officials, employees, and the public. The bill mandates that assigned officers have specific training on protest laws and crowd management, and grants them concurrent law enforcement authority with local police. The measure takes effect January 1, 2027.