SB 2549 allows healthcare providers who subcontract through contracted vendors with Tennessee's Department of Correction (or county/municipal jails) to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment, provided specific criteria are met. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 53-11-311 and related provisions to enable this practice in correctional healthcare settings. It directly affects medical staff working within prison or jail healthcare systems by expanding their ability to use buprenorphine - a medication for opioid addiction - under defined conditions. The law would take effect upon enactment, modifying how opioid treatment is delivered in state correctional facilities.
SB 2571 allows Tennessee residents with a qualifying medical condition to legally possess cannabis obtained directly from a licensed physician. It criminalizes unauthorized possession: possessing ≤1 ounce is a Class A misdemeanor with a $100 fine max or 10 hours community service (no jail), while larger amounts face escalating fines and potential jail time (up to 6 months for repeat offenses over 1 ounce). The bill specifically targets non-medical cannabis use, setting penalties based on quantity without jail for small amounts. It directly affects residents seeking medical cannabis access versus those using cannabis without a physician's authorization.
SB 2097 requires Tennessee's secretary of state to place a specific ballot question on the November 2026 general election ballot asking voters whether the state should legalize medical cannabis sales, possession, and use. This directly affects all Tennessee voters who will cast a yes/no vote on the issue. The bill mandates that county election commissions include the question in the standard ballot format with clear "YES" or "NO" options. Results of this non-binding vote will be reported to the state legislature but will not automatically change state law.
HB 1954 would allow healthcare providers working with correctional facilities to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment, expanding current rules. It specifically modifies Tennessee law to include providers subcontracted through healthcare vendors contracted with the Department of Correction or county/municipal jails, provided other specified criteria are met. The bill amends Sections 53-11-311 and 63 of Tennessee Code to enable this expanded access within correctional healthcare settings. The bill is currently in committee review (as of February 2026) and has not yet become law. It directly affects correctional healthcare providers and incarcerated individuals receiving opioid treatment in Tennessee facilities.
SB 1955 amends Tennessee's criminally negligent homicide law to define "criminally negligent conduct" as including failing to render aid to someone unconscious or needing medical care after controlled substance use, when the bystander knows or should know about the substance connection. It directly affects individuals who witness medical emergencies involving drugs but choose not to assist. The key provision expands the criminal definition to cover such inaction, making it a specific element of the offense. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to cases involving controlled substances as defined in Tennessee law.
HB 2064 changes Tennessee's firearm laws by repealing criminal penalties for carrying a firearm in public parks, playgrounds, and recreational areas. It modifies restrictions for people convicted of misdemeanor domestic violence or stalking, allowing firearm possession after five years from conviction (unless rights remain restricted). The bill also removes bans on carrying firearms in public recreational spaces and updates misdemeanor penalties for carrying while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. These changes directly affect individuals with certain past convictions and those who carry firearms in public recreational areas. The bill does not alter federal gun laws or create new restrictions.
SB 2144 increases penalties for introducing or possessing contraband in Tennessee prisons. It raises certain violations from a Class C to Class B felony (if the act caused death), Class D to Class C (for specific contraband), and Class E to Class D (for telecommunication devices if death occurred). The bill directly affects individuals who bring prohibited items into correctional facilities, with higher penalties applying specifically when the violation results in another person's death. The changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 39-16-201 and 40 regarding prison contraband offenses. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 2062 raises Tennessee's legal threshold for marijuana possession that triggers a Class A misdemeanor from 1/2 ounce to 5 ounces. For first-time possession of less than 5 ounces, the penalty would be a $500 fine; repeat offenses would incur a $1,000 fine. This bill directly affects individuals possessing marijuana between 1/2 ounce and 5 ounces, which previously faced misdemeanor charges at the lower threshold. The changes, effective July 1, 2026, apply to Tennessee Code Annotated § 39-17-418 and § 39-17-417.
SB 1949, the "mRNA Bioweapons Prohibition Act," prohibits the manufacture, possession, or distribution of modified mRNA products (including certain vaccines and gene therapies) in Tennessee, classifying violations as Class B felonies - equivalent to weapons of mass destruction offenses. It defines prohibited products as synthetic mRNA with specific genetic modifications (e.g., N-methyl-pseudouridine substitutions) used in medical treatments, excluding naturally occurring mRNA. The bill requires state and local officials to investigate violations and allows residents to sue for enforcement failures. It exempts naturally occurring mRNA and takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1996 modifies Tennessee's cannabis possession laws by creating a medical exception and establishing tiered penalties for non-medical use. It permits possession only if cannabis was obtained directly from a licensed physician for a qualifying medical condition (as defined in TCA §68-7-101). For non-medical possession, it sets fines up to $100 for 1 ounce or less (with no jail time), and increases penalties for larger amounts or repeat offenses - up to $2,500 fines and 6 months in jail for third offenses of more than 1 ounce. The bill directly affects Tennessee residents who possess cannabis, distinguishing between medical use and non-compliant possession.
