SB 644 modifies Tennessee's nursing regulations to expand access to practical nursing programs at public colleges. It requires the Board of Nursing to allow students meeting high school diploma or equivalent qualifications to enroll in these programs and permits them to take the NCLEX-PN exam upon completion. The bill also mandates a minimum of 1,296 clock hours for practical nursing programs and requires public colleges to offer pre-nursing courses starting in high school. These changes directly affect prospective practical nurses and public institutions of higher education governed by the Tennessee Board of Regents.
SB 890 requires Tennessee health insurance companies to create two digital systems: one allowing healthcare providers to access patient electronic health records and another for processing prior authorization requests (like insurance approvals for treatments). It also shortens the timeline for certain health insurance actions by changing the requirement from 10 working days to 10 calendar days. This law directly affects health insurance entities, healthcare providers, and patients by improving access to medical records and streamlining authorization processes. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
SB 1414, effective May 5, 2025, strengthens Tennessee's alignment with the federal 340B drug discount program by prohibiting drug manufacturers from restricting access to 340B drugs or imposing unfair requirements on participating entities. The bill directly affects 340B entities (such as community health centers and hospitals) and their contracted pharmacies, banning actions like denying 340B drug access, demanding extra health data, or applying stricter audit rules than for non-340B providers. Key provisions require manufacturers to comply with federal 340B rules and prohibit interference with 340B entities' drug choices or contracts. Violations carry a $50,000 civil penalty per violation, enforceable by the state commissioner or attorney general. The law explicitly states it does not override applicable federal 340B regulations.
SB 1241 expands Tennessee's definition of child abuse to include children under 18 who witness another child being abused in their household or domestic violence against a family member in their home. This change directly affects minors in households experiencing abuse, as it now classifies their exposure as abuse under state law. The bill also requires that children placed in foster care due to abuse cannot be reunited with parents unless the parent follows their court-ordered plan and the child receives mental health counseling. These provisions apply to cases handled under Tennessee's child welfare system, specifically in Title 37 (child protective services) and related statutes.
SB 817 allows healthcare providers to prescribe and pharmacists to dispense asthma rescue inhalers to authorized entities (like schools, childcare centers, sports venues, and restaurants) under a pre-approved plan. Schools in Tennessee are encouraged to keep these inhalers in at least two accessible, secure locations (e.g., offices or nurse stations) for immediate use during asthma emergencies. The bill protects trained staff and schools from liability when administering the inhaler in good faith during emergencies, as long as they follow the healthcare provider’s standing protocol. It specifically amends Tennessee law to create these protocols for both general authorized entities and schools.
HB 495 sets maximum fees healthcare providers and third-party record release companies can charge when providing medical records to patients or other requesters. For paper copies, fees are capped at $25 for the first five pages, then 50 cents per page after that. For electronic copies, fees are limited to $5 for up to ten pages (25 cents per page after), with specific caps for radiology images and mailing costs. The bill requires providers to offer records electronically when available and prohibits third parties from exceeding these fee limits.
HB 760 authorizes healthcare providers to prescribe bronchodilator rescue inhalers to specific "authorized entities" (like schools, childcare centers, restaurants, and sports venues) for emergency use during asthma or respiratory distress episodes. It requires these entities to store inhalers in accessible, unlocked locations and train designated staff to administer them under pre-approved protocols. The bill also encourages all public schools and charter schools to maintain at least two inhalers in secure, accessible locations (e.g., offices or nurse’s stations) for student emergencies. Crucially, it provides legal protection for staff and entities who follow the protocols, shielding them from liability unless there was intentional disregard for safety. The law became effective May 2, 2025, after Governor’s signature.
This is a resolution (not a binding bill), formally urging the U.S. Congress to enact legislation that would expand veterans' access to treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It specifically references the Veterans' National Traumatic Injury Treatment Act (H.R. 3649), which would fund pilot programs for therapies like hyperbaric oxygen therapy alongside counseling. The resolution does not create new policy but requests Congress adopt such legislation to improve veteran care. It directly affects veterans with TBI or PTSD by advocating for broader treatment options.
SB 1304 extends Tennessee's Access Tennessee health insurance program, which provides coverage for low-income residents, from ending on June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 56-7-2916 to update the program's expiration date. This change ensures continued eligibility for current participants and future enrollees who qualify under the program's existing income and coverage criteria. The extension applies to all individuals currently enrolled or who meet the program's requirements before 2030.
SB 680 requires Tennessee local schools (including public charter schools) to include specific diabetes information in health-related communications to parents of K-12 students, starting August 1, 2025. The bill mandates the Tennessee Department of Education, working with the Department of Health, to create and post free, downloadable resources on its website containing key facts about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, risk factors, warning signs, screening guidance, and treatment planning recommendations. These resources must be provided to schools to share with parents when discussing immunizations, infectious diseases, or other health topics. The law took effect April 11, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.
