HB 310 creates a legal presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed in law enforcement officers or emergency medical responders (like EMTs and paramedics) was incurred while performing job duties, making it automatically eligible for workers' compensation coverage. This applies to those diagnosed after responding to specific incidents, shifting the burden to employers to prove otherwise. The bill amends Tennessee workers' compensation laws (TCA Title 7, Chapter 51 and Title 50, Chapter 6) to explicitly include these professions under the presumption, removing prior exclusions of "firefighter" language. It directly affects first responders who develop PTSD in the line of duty, streamlining their access to benefits starting July 1, 2025.
SB 1390 expands Tennessee's TennCare Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly (PACE) by creating a new pilot program in a grand division without an existing PACE service area as of 2024. It also allows an existing PACE program in a specific county (population 366,200-366,300) to expand into contiguous counties meeting defined population thresholds (12,700-12,800; 32,800-32,875; or 108,600-108,700). The bill requires applicants to submit service area plans, market analyses, and proof of unmet need, while directing TennCare to coordinate referrals and monitor program quality. This law directly affects elderly Tennesseans eligible for nursing facility-level care who require comprehensive, integrated services through PACE programs.
HB 782 creates a new pilot PACE (Programs of All-Inclusive Care for Elderly) program in one Tennessee grand division without an existing PACE program as of 2024, while allowing current PACE providers in counties with a 2020 census population of 366,200-366,300 to expand into contiguous counties meeting specific population thresholds (12,700-12,800, 32,800-32,875, or 108,600-108,700). It requires applicants to submit service area maps, market analyses proving unmet need, and CMS compliance certifications, and mandates annual reports to legislative leaders. The bill directly affects elderly Tennesseans eligible for PACE care (meeting federal CMS criteria) and PACE providers seeking to expand services. It became effective May 21, 2025, after Governor approval.
SB 289 creates a legal presumption that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) diagnosed in law enforcement officers and emergency medical responders (EMTs) is work-related if it results from responding to specific incidents, making it automatically eligible for workers' compensation coverage. This directly affects those first responders by streamlining their claims process without requiring separate proof of work connection. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 7-51-206 and 50-6-101 to replace "firefighter" with "law enforcement officer or emergency medical responder" throughout the relevant workers' compensation provisions. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to claims for PTSD incurred while performing official duties.
HB 717 creates the "Caring for Caregivers Act," establishing a pilot program that provides financial grants to family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. It directly affects caregivers who provide unpaid care to eligible family members living in private homes (not facilities) and incur eligible expenses like home modifications, medical equipment, or respite care. The program offers up to $6,000 annually per caregiver, with eligibility based on household income not exceeding $37,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) and requiring the care recipient to need assistance with at least two activities of daily living. The pilot runs from July 2025 through December 2028, funded through initial appropriations and dedicated state funds.
SB 1426, known as "Lucca's Law," requires TennCare managed care plans to cover medically necessary treatments for children diagnosed with PANDAS (pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections) and PANS (pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome). It mandates coverage for antibiotics, behavioral therapies, immune-modulating drugs, plasma exchange, and IV immunoglobulin therapy, with no higher copays or deductibles than other similar treatments. The law also prohibits denying or delaying coverage based on prior treatment history or different diagnostic labels, and requires coverage to be provided without lifetime limits. This applies to all TennCare managed care organizations starting January 1, 2026, and specifies that PANDAS/PANS must be coded as autoimmune encephalitis until new medical codes are established.
SB 1381 authorizes Tennessee local governments (cities, counties, or metropolitan areas) to regulate sober living homes - alcohol- and drug-free residences where adults recovering from substance abuse live together - to ensure compliance with federal Fair Housing and ADA laws. Key provisions require such homes to be at least 1,000 feet from schools/daycares, allow local zoning rules for location/operation, and mandate clinical referrals from licensed providers before admission. The bill directly affects sober living home operators, local governments creating regulations, and residents seeking recovery housing. It updates state housing laws to clarify that these homes are not treatment facilities and must avoid discriminatory practices under federal law.
SB 1382 requires Tennessee's Commerce and Insurance Commissioner to study whether insurers' online processes for step therapy exceptions (where patients must try cheaper treatments first) are easy for patients and doctors to use. The study specifically examines if insurers comply with state law without creating unnecessary barriers for requesting exceptions, particularly for conditions like advanced cancer. The commissioner must report findings and recommendations to lawmakers by December 15, 2025. This bill affects patients and healthcare providers seeking coverage for treatments that require step therapy exceptions, but it does not change coverage rules - only studies current processes.
HB 783 authorizes Tennessee local governments (counties, cities, or metropolitan areas) to regulate sober living homes - residences for adults recovering from substance abuse without formal treatment - to ensure they comply with federal fair housing and disability laws. Key provisions include requiring these homes to be at least 1,000 feet from schools/daycares, allowing local zoning rules, and mandating clinical referrals from licensed healthcare providers before residency. The law directly affects sober living home operators, residents, and local governments implementing these rules. It becomes effective immediately upon the governor’s signature (May 21, 2025), updating Tennessee housing codes to balance local oversight with federal civil rights protections.
SB 654 creates Tennessee's "Caring for Caregivers Act," establishing a pilot program to provide financial grants to family caregivers of individuals with Alzheimer's or dementia. The program offers up to $6,000 annually per caregiver to offset eligible expenses like home modifications, medical equipment, and respite care for family members needing help with two or more daily activities (e.g., bathing, dressing, or mobility). Caregivers must have household income below $37,000 (adjusted annually for inflation) and provide care for a relative living in a private home, not a facility. The bill extends the program's termination date from December 2025 to December 2026, with funding starting at $600,000 for fiscal year 2025-2026.
