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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
HB 1489 would expand Tennessee's cancer presumption law for firefighters to include arson investigators. The bill amends state law to define "firefighter" as specifically covering full-time arson investigators employed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation or county sheriff's departments. This change means these investigators would automatically qualify for disability benefits if they develop cancer, as their job-related exposure would be presumed to cause it - similar to current firefighter protections. The bill directly affects arson investigators working in these specific state and local law enforcement roles.
HB 1774 requires Tennessee's Secretary of State to place an advisory ballot question on the November 2026 general election ballot asking voters if the state should authorize a regulated medical cannabis program. If approved, the program would allow medical cannabis use for qualifying patients, with tax revenue dedicated to after-school programs, mental health services, law enforcement training, and community education. The bill does not create the program itself but seeks voter approval through an advisory referendum. It directly affects all Tennessee voters in the 2026 election and would determine whether a future regulated medical cannabis system is implemented.
HB 1943 requires Tennessee hospital emergency departments to provide a medical screening exam to pregnant women reporting active labor or an emergency medical condition, without denial or delay. It prohibits transferring a pregnant woman to another facility unless her condition is stabilized (per federal EMTALA standards) and mandates that transfers only occur with a physician's written certification of medical necessity and the patient's informed consent. The bill directly affects pregnant women seeking emergency care and hospitals operating emergency departments, imposing penalties for violations like denying screenings or transferring without proper authorization. Key provisions include requiring hospitals to offer stabilization treatment or a safe transfer option, documenting patient consent for refusals, and ensuring transfers meet federal guidelines for specialized care. This legislation aligns Tennessee's emergency care protocols for pregnant patients with existing federal emergency medical treatment laws.
HB 1959, the "FAIR Rx Act," prohibits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from owning, controlling, or having any financial interest in pharmacies after January 1, 2027. It directly affects PBMs and pharmacies by banning arrangements like management contracts, revenue-sharing, or exclusive agreements that transfer operational control to PBMs. The bill requires pharmacies to disclose owners with 5%+ stakes and restricts limited-use pharmacy licenses from being sold to PBMs. These provisions aim to prevent conflicts of interest that could limit patient choice, increase costs, or undermine pharmacist independence in medication care.
