SB 174 amends Tennessee law to update requirements for surgical assistants seeking board registration. It adds the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) as an accepted credentialing body alongside the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants, allowing applicants to maintain current ABSA credentials. The bill also removes the December 31, 2019, deadline for applicants to register based on practical experience, making registration more flexible. This change directly affects surgical assistants in Tennessee seeking state licensure, effective March 25, 2025. The law modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 63-6-219(b)(1) and (b)(3).
SB 515 extends Tennessee's current limit of 125 new nursing home beds per fiscal year for which the health facilities commission may approve (via certificate of need) until June 30, 2029, instead of expiring in 2025. This directly affects nursing home facilities seeking to expand and the health facilities commission, which reviews and approves new bed applications. The key provision is a simple extension of the existing cap, not a change to the 125-bed limit. The bill became effective March 25, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.
SB 1063 removes two notification requirements related to prior authorization for healthcare services in Tennessee. It eliminates the requirement for healthcare providers to notify patients when communicating with insurance companies about missing information for prior authorization, and it removes the requirement for insurance companies to notify patients when additional information is needed from the patient or provider. The bill directly affects healthcare providers, insurance companies, and patients by reducing administrative steps in the prior authorization process. These changes amend Tennessee Code sections 63-1-171 and 56-6-705, effective April 3, 2025.
SB 577 amends Tennessee's TennCare program by shortening the time frame for implementing the annual coverage assessment from seven days to five days. It also establishes limits on hospital payments under specific circumstances, directly affecting TennCare administrators and participating hospitals. The bill changes the timing requirement in Tennessee Code Annotated Section 71-5-2005(d)(2)(D) and became effective April 3, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.
HB 1157, the "Restore Trust in Public Health Messaging Act," requires Tennessee's Department of Health, local health departments, and state executive branch to ensure all public communications about FDA-regulated products (like medications) accurately reflect the FDA-approved or FDA-authorized labels. It prohibits promoting information that conflicts with these labels, including general product categories unless universally true or properly qualified. The law mandates an internal compliance review by July 2025, annual reporting to state officials starting in 2026, and a complaint process for violations with potential penalties. This directly affects state health agencies' public messaging about medical products, aiming to align communications with federal FDA standards.
SB 575 requires all Tennessee hospitals and birthing centers offering labor and delivery services to provide new mothers (and, if possible, a caregiver or family member) with clear information about post-birth warning signs - such as symptoms to watch for and local resources - before discharge. The Tennessee Department of Health must also supply this information to all facilities and make it publicly available on its website. This law directly affects healthcare providers in maternal care and ensures new mothers and their support networks receive standardized, accessible guidance on postpartum health concerns. It revises state law to improve maternal health communication without changing medical standards or treatment protocols.
HB 1169 requires Tennessee's Council on Children's Mental Health to submit annual reports starting June 30, 2026, detailing the statewide mental health system for children. The reports must cover current services (including state/federal programs), gaps in care, and recommendations for better coordination between agencies. The council must gather input from relevant departments (mental health, education, health, etc.) to create a comprehensive overview. These reports will be shared with the governor, legislative leaders, and agency heads. The bill, effective March 28, 2025, updates existing law to ensure regular oversight of children's mental health services.
SB 1342 requires Tennessee's Council on Children's Mental Health Care to submit annual reports starting June 30, 2026, detailing the status of the state's children's mental health system and service delivery. The reports must include a current list of all state and federally funded mental health programs for children, along with recommendations for improving coordination between agencies and addressing treatment gaps. The council must share these reports with the governor, state agency commissioners, and legislative leaders. This bill does not create new programs but mandates regular, comprehensive assessments to inform state-level decision-making on children's mental health services.
SB 1031, the "Restore Trust in Public Health Messaging Act," requires Tennessee's health departments and state agencies to align all public communications about FDA-approved drugs and medical products with the FDA's official labels. It directly affects the Tennessee Department of Health, local health departments, and state executive branch employees who share information about medications or health products. The bill prohibits promoting claims that conflict with FDA labels, mandates internal reviews by July 2025, and requires annual compliance reports to the legislature. Violations trigger investigations by the comptroller, with potential penalties for noncompliance. This law aims to ensure state health messaging is scientifically accurate and consistent with federal standards.
SB 321 creates an advisory task force to review and recommend annual adjustments to state reimbursement rates paid to healthcare providers under state contracts. The task force, composed of 6 appointed members (3 by each legislative chamber, representing health professions) plus agency representatives, will assess whether reimbursement rates cover agencies' costs, staff salaries, and administrative expenses for frontline healthcare workers. It must submit annual recommendations by August 1, starting in 2026, focusing on ensuring rates are adequate to support quality care for vulnerable populations. This bill directly affects state-contracted healthcare agencies and providers who serve Medicaid and other state-funded programs.
