Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · House May 5, 2026

HB 1952: Optometry - As enacted, redefines the practice of optometry. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 8.

HB 1952 expands the scope of practice for Tennessee optometrists by allowing them to perform certain surgical procedures for eye conditions, subject to board approval and specific training. The bill permits optometrists to conduct minor surgeries like eyelid lesion removals, abscess drainage, or simple laceration repairs (e.g., excising small non-cancerous growths or repairing small eyelid cuts), but explicitly prohibits procedures such as cataract surgery, LASIK, corneal transplants, or retina operations. It requires optometrists using local anesthetics for these procedures to meet board certification standards and provide proof of training. This change directly affects licensed optometrists in Tennessee, enabling them to provide more comprehensive primary eye care within defined limits.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands optometrists' scope to perform minor eye surgeries, improving patient access to eye care services without requiring ophthalmologist referrals for minor procedures.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 27, 2026

SB 1697: DNA and Genetic Testing - As enacted, directs the department of health to test for the presence of sickle cell trait in each newborn and, if the test results are positive for sickle cell trait, to notify the parent or legal guardian of the newborn tested as soon as practicable. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 5.

SB 1697 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to test every newborn for sickle cell trait starting on the bill's effective date. If a newborn tests positive for sickle cell trait, the department must notify the parent or legal guardian as soon as practicable. The bill directly affects all newborns in Tennessee born on or after the effective date and their families by adding this screening to the state's newborn health program. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 5, to establish this mandatory testing and notification process.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates newborn sickle cell trait screening and parent notification, expanding preventive public health services in Tennessee's healthcare system per TCA Title 68, Chapter 5.90% confidence

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1944: DNA and Genetic Testing - As enacted, directs the department of health to test for the presence of sickle cell trait in each newborn and, if the test results are positive for sickle cell trait, to notify the parent or legal guardian of the newborn tested as soon as practicable. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 5.

HB 1944 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to test every newborn for sickle cell trait starting from the bill's effective date. If a newborn tests positive, the department must notify the parent or legal guardian as soon as possible. This bill directly affects all newborns in Tennessee and their families by mandating this screening and notification process. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68, Chapter 5 to establish this new requirement for newborn health screening. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates newborn sickle cell trait screening and parent notification via public health program, advancing preventive healthcare access and early intervention for at-risk infants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1534: Health, Dept. of - As introduced, authorizes the commissioner to utilize Title V funds, to the extent permitted by federal law, to establish a program to provide funds to women whose pregnancies have ended in stillbirth for the purposes of offsetting burial or disposition costs of the stillborn child's remains and educational scholarships for such women; authorizes the commissioner to seek any necessary federal waiver or authorization to create such program. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 68.

HB 1534 would allow Tennessee's Commissioner of Health to use federal Title V maternal and child health funds (with federal permission) to create a program for women who experience stillbirth. The program would cover burial or disposal costs for stillborn children and provide educational scholarships to these women. It specifically amends Tennessee law to authorize this use of funds and permits the commissioner to seek necessary federal waivers. The bill directly affects women who have lost a pregnancy to stillbirth in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes use of maternal/child health funds (Title V) for stillbirth-related burial costs and educational scholarships, expanding public health support for affected women under Tennessee's Health Department.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1792: Taxes, Exemption and Credits - As introduced, exempts from the state sales and use tax the retail sale of food and food ingredients that are voucher-eligible under the Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 6.

HB 1792 exempts from Tennessee's state sales and use tax the retail purchase of food and food ingredients that qualify for vouchers under the federal WIC program (Special Supplemental Food Program for Women, Infants, and Children). This directly affects WIC participants and grocery stores selling WIC-eligible items, removing the sales tax on those specific foods at checkout. The exemption applies to all foods covered by the WIC program under federal law (42 U.S.C. § 1786), excluding other food items not WIC-eligible. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 67, Chapter 6.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesExempts WIC-eligible food from sales tax, providing tax relief to low-income participants in federal nutrition program, directly reducing tax burden on qualifying items.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExempts WIC-eligible food from sales tax, improving access to nutrition support for vulnerable populations under a healthcare program.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Sales Tax Tax Credits Tax Incentives

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 1565: Health, Dept. of - As introduced, authorizes the commissioner to utilize Title V funds, to the extent permitted by federal law, to establish a program to provide funds to women whose pregnancies have ended in stillbirth for the purposes of offsetting burial or disposition costs of the stillborn child's remains and educational scholarships for such women; authorizes the commissioner to seek any necessary federal waiver or authorization to create such program. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 68.

SB 1565 would authorize Tennessee's Department of Health to use federal Title V maternal and child health funds (subject to federal approval) to create a program for women who experience stillbirth. The program would provide financial assistance to cover burial or disposition costs for stillborn children and fund educational scholarships for affected women. It requires the commissioner to seek any necessary federal waivers to implement the program. The bill amends Tennessee health codes to establish this support mechanism for women who have endured pregnancy loss.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAuthorizes use of Title V maternal health funds for stillbirth-related burial costs and educational scholarships, expanding healthcare support services under existing maternal health framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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passed both · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2026

SB 2122: General Assembly, Directed Studies - As introduced, establishes a nine-member Tennessee K-12 nutrition task force to evaluate the prevalence of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) and other substances in public school meal programs and the impact of UPFs on student health, to report its findings by December 1, 2026, and to terminate January 31, 2027. - Amends TCA Title 49.

SB 2122 establishes a nine-member Tennessee K-12 nutrition task force to study ultra-processed foods (UPFs) in public school meals. The task force will evaluate how commonly UPFs appear in school breakfasts and lunches, review health data linking UPF consumption to childhood obesity and metabolic issues, and develop recommendations for shifting menus toward whole foods. It must submit a final report with findings and legislative suggestions to the governor and legislature by December 1, 2026. The task force will dissolve on January 31, 2027, after completing its work. This bill directly affects Tennessee’s public K-12 school meal programs and student health outcomes.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationEstablishes task force to study school nutrition and recommend healthier meal options, directly supporting student health and educational environment through improved school meal programs.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes task force to study UPF impact on student health and recommend whole-food shifts in school meals, directly advancing public health initiatives through nutrition policy.90% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Student Health

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2055: Local Education Agencies - As enacted, requires LEAs and public charter schools to allow a private pay provider who is under contract with a parent or legal guardian of a student with autism spectrum disorder or developmental delays who is enrolled in the LEA or public charter school, access to the student during the school day to provide the student with private pay services in educational settings as long as the educational settings in which private pay services are provided do not conflict with the student's educational placement; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 49; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 2055 requires Tennessee public schools and charter schools to permit private pay providers (licensed behavior analysts hired by families) to deliver applied behavior analysis services to students with autism or developmental delays during school hours. The bill mandates that schools allow access to students in classroom or educational settings, provided the services align with the student's individualized education plan (IEP) and parental consent is obtained. Schools must coordinate with IEP teams, ensure services don't disrupt classrooms, and cannot charge fees or block access to private providers. The law also requires private providers to comply with background checks and licensure standards, while prohibiting schools from discriminating against students receiving these services.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill expands educational access for students with autism/developmental delays by requiring schools to allow private pay providers during school hours per IEP, enhancing service availability in educational settings.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires schools to permit private pay ABA healthcare services for autism/developmental delays during school hours, improving access to specialized medical care within educational settings per IEP.92% confidence

Sub-Topics School Choice Special Education Medical Licensing

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 1688: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As introduced, enacts the "The Frank J. Lake III Act"; requires a long-term care ombudsman for an assisted-care living facility to notify all residents of such facility if the facility contacts the ombudsman; directs the health facilities commission to post a certain specified notice on the commission's website if an assisted-care living facility is placed on probation; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 11.

HB 1688, "The Frank J. Lake III Act," requires assisted-care living facilities in Tennessee to notify all residents (or their guardians/representatives) if they contact the long-term care ombudsman (Section 4). It also mandates the Health Facilities Commission to post specific notices on its website when a facility faces disciplinary action, including probation or a 30-day fact-finding period (Sections 2-3). Additionally, facilities must provide written disclosure of their licensure status and disciplinary history to residents before admission (Section 5). These changes, effective July 1, 2026, directly affect residents, facilities, and the commission by increasing transparency around facility oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires facilities to notify residents of ombudsman contact and license status, protecting resident rights and transparency in care facilities.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medical Licensing

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1946: Consumer Protection - As enacted, requires the Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR) to conduct a study of the potential regulation of artificial intelligence systems and generative artificial intelligence chatbots in this state. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 37 and Title 47.

HB 1946, the "Curbing Harmful AI Technology (CHAT) Act," prohibits AI chatbots designed to mimic human relationships (called "companion chatbots") from being made available to minors in Tennessee if they could encourage self-harm, illegal activity, secrecy, or unsafe isolation. It requires companies to display clear disclaimers that the chatbot is not human during use and to notify users every 30 minutes. The bill also mandates that AI chatbots detect suicidal thoughts or self-harm expressions and redirect users to crisis services like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This directly affects companies developing or deploying companion chatbots in Tennessee that interact with minors, excluding standard customer service or internal business AI.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates AI chatbots to detect suicidal thoughts and prevent self-harm, directly supporting mental health protection for minors.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI chatbots to prevent harm to minors, requiring disclaimers and notifications, aligning with consumer protection measures for digital safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection Tags Consumer Protection

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