SB 579 would provide eligible Tennessee workers 12 weeks of job-protected leave for recovery after living organ donation surgery, with leave counted toward employment seniority. It prohibits insurers from denying coverage or charging more for life, disability, or long-term care insurance solely because someone is a living organ donor. The bill also requires the Tennessee Department of Health to create and post public educational materials about living organ donation by July 2025, covering benefits, risks, and insurance impacts. This bill directly affects living organ donors, employers, and insurance providers in Tennessee.
SB 1110, the "Rescue Squad Recognition Act," requires nonprofit rescue organizations in Tennessee to obtain official recognition from the state fire marshal to operate. It defines qualifying rescue squads as nonprofits meeting specific standards (e.g., 85% of team members meeting national safety standards, 75% volunteer staff, and IRS 501(c)(3) status), excluding law enforcement and medical agencies. To be recognized, squads must apply to the state fire marshal with a $50 fee, receive a 3-year certificate, and maintain local governing body approval. The bill mandates ongoing compliance, with non-renewal possible for violations of state rules or failure to renew. This directly affects volunteer-based rescue organizations operating across Tennessee counties and municipalities.
HB 2255 requires that any vacancy on Tennessee's Human Trafficking Advisory Council be filled for the remainder of the unexpired term using the same appointment method as the original selection. This applies to all vacancies on the council and affects how the state fills leadership positions on this specific advisory body. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to implement this requirement, ensuring continuity in council representation without changing the appointment process itself. It does not alter the council's responsibilities or create new policies, but standardizes vacancy procedures. The bill's title mentioning "Criminal Offenses" appears unrelated to its actual content.
HB 2194 requires Tennessee's public universities (including the University of Tennessee system) to create policies that clearly separate faculty tenure decisions from disciplinary actions. It mandates that institutions ensure tenure cannot be used as punishment, disciplinary procedures must treat tenured and non-tenured faculty equally, and all disciplinary actions must follow due process. The bill also affirms university leadership's authority to discipline faculty for cause while protecting academic independence. These policies must be implemented by July 1, 2026, and posted online.
HB 2279, the "Crush Transnational Repression in Tennessee Act," targets foreign governments or groups attempting to control Tennesseans through coercion or foreign law. It criminalizes agents of "foreign adversaries" (like designated hostile nations) who try to force Tennesseans to act against their will, leave the U.S., or stop protected activities like free speech or religious practice - increasing penalties for such offenses. The bill also voids Tennessee court rulings or contracts based on foreign law (including examples like Sharia Law) if they violate U.S. or Tennessee constitutional rights. Additionally, it requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to create a law enforcement training program on transnational repression by July 2027.
HB 2185 authorizes Tennessee's election coordinator to create an electronic portal that can access federal immigration verification data from the SAVE program (Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements) via a secure web service, if the U.S. Department of Homeland Security makes this data available. The bill directly affects Tennessee election officials who would use this portal to verify voter eligibility. Key provisions allow the portal to access SAVE data securely upon federal availability, without requiring new federal data sharing. This is a procedural update to election law, not a new eligibility requirement, and only activates if DHS-USCIS provides the data through a secure channel.
SB 1632 renames the Army National Guard Armory on U.S. Highway 321 in Maryville, Tennessee, to the "William O. Gregory Army National Guard Armory" to honor Command Sergeant Major William O. Gregory's 41 years of service in the Tennessee Army National Guard. The bill requires the Tennessee Department of Military to install signs or markers designating the new name using existing resources. This is a commemorative measure with no financial or policy changes beyond the naming and signage.
SB 1619 requires Tennessee political parties to submit copies of their adopted rules or rule amendments to state election officials (the Secretary of State and Coordinator of Elections) within 15 days of adoption, instead of the current 30-day deadline. This change directly affects all political parties operating in Tennessee, including major parties and minor parties. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 2, specifically Section 2-1-114, to shorten the filing timeline. The policy change focuses on accelerating the public availability of party rules by reducing the submission window.
SB 1597 amends Tennessee law to expand access to death certificate information and the ability to challenge medical examiner findings. It allows a surviving parent (not just other next of kin) to formally disagree with a county medical examiner's suicide determination for their child and request reconsideration by the state chief medical examiner. The bill also permits the other parent of a minor child (under 18) to request a copy of the child's death certificate. These changes update definitions in Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 68-3-502 and 68-3-205 to clarify who qualifies as "next of kin" and who may request death certificates. The bill focuses on procedural access for specific family members following a death.
HB 1944 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to test every newborn for sickle cell trait starting from the bill's effective date. If a newborn tests positive, the department must notify the parent or legal guardian as soon as possible. This bill directly affects all newborns in Tennessee and their families by mandating this screening and notification process. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68, Chapter 5 to establish this new requirement for newborn health screening. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet been enacted.
SB 1615 designates Lake County as Tennessee's "Eagle Capital" through a symbolic amendment to state code. This bill directly affects Lake County by officially recognizing its status as a hub for eagle conservation and tourism, highlighted by the annual Reelfoot Lake Eagle Festival, over 90 eagle nests, and winter migrations. The key provision simply adds this title to state law without creating new regulations or funding. It acknowledges Lake County's economic and ecological connection to eagles, as noted in the bill's preamble about tourism and wildlife.
HB 1704 would create two Class A misdemeanors in Tennessee: (1) intentionally failing to leave the state within 90 days after a final federal removal order, and (2) intentionally re-entering the state after being denied admission, excluded, deported, or removed by federal authorities. It directly affects undocumented immigrants subject to federal removal orders or denied entry, making certain immigration status violations criminal offenses. The bill requires courts to pause criminal proceedings until individuals exhaust all federal legal options to challenge the removal order. The law’s key provisions are conditional, with Section 2 (re-entry offense) only taking effect after specific federal court decisions or legislative changes affecting state immigration authority.
