SB 2138 requires that individuals convicted of vehicular homicide caused by intoxication **and** leaving the scene of the accident (a hit-and-run) be sentenced as a minimum "Range II" offender under Tennessee law. This bill directly affects people facing dual convictions for these specific traffic-related crimes. The key provision mandates that the sentencing range for vehicular homicide cannot be set below the second-lowest tier (Range II) if the person is also convicted of fleeing the scene. The law will take effect July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-13-213, 40-20-102, and 55-10-101.
HB 1982 lowers the minimum age to become a licensed bid caller auctioneer in Tennessee from 18 to 16 years old. This change directly affects 16- to 17-year-olds seeking to work in auctioneering by allowing them to apply for a license earlier. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 62, Chapter 19, specifically updating Section 62-19-111(a)(1)(A) to replace "eighteen (18)" with "sixteen (16)". The law would take effect upon becoming law, with no specified implementation details beyond the age adjustment.
SB 1861 amends Tennessee workers' compensation law to allow the Bureau of Workers' Compensation to use funds from the "subsequent injury and vocational recovery fund" for costs related to implementing and maintaining a computer system. The bill updates specific sections of the law (TCA Title 50, Chapter 6, Part 2) to clarify fund usage, change procedural terms like replacing "petition" with "file a motion," and adjust language about impairment ratings and physician certifications. It directly affects the Bureau of Workers' Compensation and its administrative operations, not workers or employers. The key change is authorizing computer system costs as a permissible use of this existing fund, with the bill taking effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1870 requires specific fire investigators in Tennessee to hold a current certification from the Peace Officer Standards and Training Commission (POST) before they can exercise police powers - such as making arrests - in arson or suspected arson cases. This applies directly to the Commissioner of Commerce and Insurance and their deputies, municipal fire investigators, and salaried county fire investigators when using police authority. The bill does not require certification for routine fire origin investigations conducted without police powers. Certification must be obtained by January 1, 2027, and includes meeting police officer qualifications and completing approved training. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 68-102-127 and 38-8-107.
SB 1741, the "Charlie Kirk Act," requires Tennessee's public universities to adopt and post two specific statements on their websites. First, it mandates that each institution incorporate the University of Chicago's free expression policy into its bylaws, including its core principles about protecting debate even when ideas are offensive. Second, it requires adoption of the 1967 University of Chicago Kalven Report on universities' role in political action, emphasizing that institutions should not take collective political positions. The bill applies directly to all public higher education institutions in Tennessee and imposes legal remedies (like injunctions) for noncompliance.
HB 1909 updates Tennessee's legal terminology by changing all references from "marital and family therapists" to "marriage and family therapists" across multiple state code sections (including licensing, practice standards, and definitions in Titles 4, 8, 33, 36, 52, 56, 63, and 68). This primarily affects licensed therapists, state licensing boards, and healthcare facilities by standardizing professional titles and aligning with common industry terminology. Key provisions include revising licensing reciprocity rules (Section 16) and clarifying practice boundaries for therapists (Section 20), ensuring consistency in how the profession is referenced in law. The bill makes no substantive policy changes beyond terminology adjustments and does not alter therapist qualifications or patient protections.
HB 1725 requires Tennessee schools to enroll children of military service members under specific rules, with documentation needed within 60 days of enrollment or one year from the service member's duty start date. It ensures schools provide immediate access to existing disability services (like IEPs or 504 plans) upon enrollment. The bill also allows high school students (grades 11-12) to stay in their current school until graduation if military relocation forces a move. This takes effect July 1, 2026.
SB 2076 expands the scope of practice for Tennessee optometrists by allowing them to perform specific minor surgical procedures under local anesthesia, such as removing small eyelid lesions or treating minor lacerations. It directly affects licensed optometrists in Tennessee who meet certification requirements for administering local anesthetics. The bill permits procedures like excising non-malignant skin lesions under 5mm or draining eyelid abscesses, but explicitly prohibits more complex surgeries like cataract removal, LASIK, or retinal procedures. These changes are codified in amendments to Tennessee Code Annotated § 63-8-102, with all new surgical authority subject to board approval and strict limitations.
HB 1834, the "Tennessee Religious Freedom Act," would allow local school boards in Tennessee to open public meetings with a prayer led by a board member, provided no attendee is required to participate and no one is harassed or coerced into joining. The bill amends Tennessee law to explicitly permit this practice, directly affecting school board meeting procedures across the state. Key provisions require prayers to be non-coercive (no mandatory participation) and free from harassment, aligning with recent Supreme Court interpretations on religious expression in public settings. The law would take effect July 1, 2026, if passed.
HB 1635 clarifies eligibility for burial in Tennessee's state veterans' cemeteries, expanding access to include National Guard and reserve component members (such as Army or Air National Guard) who completed their service obligations, along with their spouses and children. The bill specifies required documentation for verification, including military discharge forms like DD-214 and NGB forms, and ensures the state accepts federal documentation standards. It also mandates that the state waive burial fees for eligible veterans, their spouses, and minor or dependent children. The changes aim to align Tennessee's policies with federal criteria while ensuring no disruption to federal funding for veterans' cemeteries.
SB 1940 designates January 22 of each year as "Sanctity of Life Day" in Tennessee, as amended to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 15, Chapter 2. The bill establishes this date for annual observance to renew the state's commitment to protecting life and honor those lost to legalized abortion, per the bill's preamble. It does not create new legal obligations or policies but formally recognizes this day for state acknowledgment. The designation applies to Tennessee's official observances under state law.
HB 1823 requires Tennessee school districts to refer students who withdraw without enrolling in another school to juvenile court if they were receiving truancy interventions. It also mandates that unexcused absences from a student’s previous school follow them to their new school if they transfer mid-year, affecting how schools track absences for truancy purposes. The bill directly impacts students with attendance issues, school districts (LEAs), and juvenile courts handling truancy cases. It becomes effective July 1, 2026, and updates state laws to address student transfers and truancy interventions.
