Tennessee Bills

SB 2286 requires Tennessee's Commissioner of Health to study how neighboring states grant practice independence to certified nurse midwives. The study will examine varying levels of practice authority in those states, and the commissioner must compile findings and recommendations into a report to be delivered to the legislature by December 31, 2026. This bill does not change current laws or midwife practice rules - it only mandates a research study. The study will inform future legislative decisions but does not directly affect midwives, patients, or healthcare providers. The bill is procedural and focuses solely on gathering comparative data.

SB 2463 amends Tennessee law to end a parent's legal obligation for child support when a child turns 19, unless the child has a disability or handicap. This change directly affects parents paying child support and children transitioning to adulthood, replacing previous rules that allowed support to continue until high school graduation. The bill specifically updates Tennessee Code sections 34-1-102 (child support duration), 36-5-101 (support enforcement), and 37-1 (related provisions) to set 19 as the new cutoff age. It does not extend support beyond 19 for non-disabled children, though parents may still be required to pay if a child is disabled under existing law.

HB 2206 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services to send its annual report on "zero to three courts" and "safe baby courts" to the Commission on Children and Youth. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37, by adding the Commission on Children and Youth to the list of entities that receive this report (alongside court officials and legislative committee chairs). This change ensures the Commission receives the report annually, providing transparency about court programs for infants and newborns. The bill does not alter the report's content or create new programs, only adjusting who receives it.

SB 2324 requires parents in certain juvenile custody or visitation cases - specifically those involving unmarried parents whose parentage is established or modified - to attend a mandatory 4-hour parent education seminar. The seminar covers co-parenting skills, reducing conflict, child emotional well-being, and adverse childhood experiences, but excludes minors from attending. Courts may waive the requirement for safety concerns (like domestic violence), indigent parents, or impractical circumstances. Failure to comply without a waiver may be considered in custody decisions but does not prevent court rulings.

SB 2459 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services to share its annual report on "zero to three courts" (programs for infants and toddlers in the justice system) and "safe baby courts" with the Commission on Children and Youth. The bill amends Tennessee law to add the Commission as a mandatory recipient of this report, alongside existing recipients like court directors and committee chairs. This change ensures the Commission receives regular updates on these specialized court programs, enabling better oversight and coordination. The bill does not alter program operations but mandates a specific reporting pathway. (3 sentences)

SB 2652 requires new applicants for a livestock market license in Tennessee to provide their email address on the application form, in addition to their name, address, and phone number. This change applies specifically to individuals or businesses seeking a new license to operate a livestock market, as outlined in amendments to Tennessee Code Sections 43-11-102(a)(1), 44-11-102(a)(1), and 53-11-102(a)(1). The bill does not alter existing operational rules for licensed markets but updates the required information for new license applications. It takes effect upon becoming law.

HB 2148 clarifies that Tennessee's tenure protections and dismissal procedures for school staff do not apply to educators holding temporary academic or clinical permits. It amends state law to explicitly exclude these temporary permit holders from the legal definition of "teacher" in Title 49, specifically in sections covering tenure and dismissal processes. This change directly affects educators working under temporary permits, ensuring they are not subject to standard tenure rules or dismissal procedures applicable to fully licensed staff. The bill focuses solely on defining scope within existing law, with no new programs or funding changes.

HB 2143 sets staffing and accreditation standards for Tennessee's local veterans service offices. It requires each office to have at least one "county veterans service officer" (CVSO, a veteran) and establishes ratios for non-veteran staff ("county veterans service representatives" or CVSRs). The bill mandates all staff must obtain U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs accreditation within six months of hire, complete annual training, and pass background checks, with veterans given hiring preference. It also sets minimum salary rates, requires budget transparency, and creates state salary grants to help counties meet staffing requirements. The bill directly affects local governments operating veterans offices and their employees.

HB 2429 requires unmarried parents in juvenile court cases involving custody or parenting schedules to complete a mandatory 4-hour parent education seminar before final court orders. The seminar must cover child well-being, co-parenting skills, conflict reduction, and adverse childhood experiences, and cannot be attended by minors. Parents pay the fee unless indigent (with court waiver), and must submit proof of completion to the court. The bill applies to cases where parentage is established or custody is modified, and courts may waive the requirement for safety concerns or impracticality, but noncompliance may factor into custody decisions.

SB 2253 establishes a specific process for handling traffic violations committed by autonomous vehicles (self-driving cars) in Tennessee. It requires police to mail violation notices or citations directly to the vehicle's registered owner within 20 business days, rather than issuing them to the vehicle itself. The notice must include the fine amount, allow 30 days for payment (with a possible 30-day extension if a second notice is sent), and specify separate fees for late payment or court costs. This bill directly affects owners of autonomous vehicles and law enforcement officers who must follow this mailing procedure for traffic citations.

HB 2598 requires Tennessee's Commissioner of Health to study how neighboring states grant practice independence to certified nurse midwives, using existing resources. The study will examine varying levels of practice authority in other states and compile findings with recommendations into a report due to the legislature by December 31, 2026. This bill does not change current laws but provides data to inform future decisions about midwifery practice scope. It directly affects certified nurse midwives and the state legislature, which may consider the report when evaluating policy changes. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on gathering comparative data, not implementing new regulations.

HB 2438 designates November 9 each year as "Gold Star Father's Day" in Tennessee to honor fathers who lost children while serving in the U.S. military. The bill specifically recognizes these fathers' sacrifice and loss, directly affecting military fathers who have experienced the death of a child in service. It amends Tennessee Code to establish this annual observance, clarifying it is not a legal holiday. The provision focuses on symbolic recognition, aligning with existing federal and state commemorations for military families.