Healthcare

failed · Tennessee · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 1598: Health Care - As introduced, enacts the "Freedom from Medical Debt Act," which requires the state treasurer to contract with a nonprofit entity to acquire and repay certain medical debts for Tennessee residents with incomes at or below 400 percent of the federal poverty level or who owe medical debt equal to 5 percent or more of their household income, and prohibits healthcare providers from reporting a patient's medical debt to a consumer reporting agency. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 9; Title 47, Chapter 18; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 1598, the "Freedom from Medical Debt Act," requires Tennessee's state treasurer to contract with a nonprofit to repay medical debt for eligible residents. It directly affects Tennessee residents with household incomes at or below 400% of the federal poverty level or those owing medical debt equal to 5% or more of their annual income, provided the debt has been outstanding for over 120 days. The bill mandates that healthcare providers cannot report medical debt to consumer credit bureaus after July 1, 2026, and requires nonprofits to purchase debt at fair value while removing negative credit reporting upon repayment. The state treasurer is not liable for payments, and the nonprofit handles all financial obligations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRepaying medical debt for low-income residents and prohibiting credit reporting directly improves patient access and protects financial well-being, aligning with healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

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signed · Tennessee · House May 15, 2026

HB 1550: Education - As enacted, expands the prescribed forms of epinephrine that an LEA or nonpublic school is authorized to administer when a student is believed to be experiencing a life-threatening allergic or anaphylactic reaction to any prescribed form of epinephrine, not just epinephrine auto-injectors. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 68, Chapter 140, Part 5.

HB 1550 expands Tennessee school policies to allow public and nonpublic schools to administer any prescribed form of epinephrine (not limited to auto-injectors) for students experiencing life-threatening allergic reactions. The bill requires schools to maintain epinephrine in at least two secure locations and permits school nurses or trained staff to use school-stored epinephrine when a student lacks personal medication or a prescription on file. It clarifies that physicians and school staff administering epinephrine under this policy are not liable for harm unless there was intentional disregard for safety. The law amends Tennessee Code Sections 49-50-1602(f) and 68-140-501(1) to remove the restriction to "epinephrine auto-injectors" and replace it with "epinephrine." This directly affects schools, students with allergies, and school medical personnel.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationExpands school safety protocols for allergic reactions, ensuring student access to life-saving medication under education policy, directly protecting student well-being in schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands school access to emergency epinephrine for allergic reactions, improving patient access to life-saving treatment during school hours.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 1966: Health Care - As introduced, requires the board of medical examiners, board of nursing, and board of osteopathic examination to initiate a criminal background check for each applicant for a renewal of licensure. - Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 63.

SB 1966 requires Tennessee's medical, nursing, and osteopathic licensing boards to conduct criminal background checks on health care professionals when they renew their licenses. This applies specifically to doctors, nurses, and osteopathic physicians seeking license renewal. The background checks must use a state-approved method, and applicants must pay all associated costs. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for all renewal applications submitted on or after that date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires criminal background checks for healthcare license renewals to protect patient safety and ensure public health standards in medical practice.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 4, 2026

HB 1996: Controlled Substances - As introduced, permits a person to possess cannabis that was obtained directly from, or pursuant to a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by, a licensed physician; specifies the sentences permitted for possessing certain amounts of cannabis that was not obtained directly from, or pursuant to a diagnosis of a qualifying medical condition by, a licensed physician. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 4.

HB 1996 modifies Tennessee's cannabis possession laws by creating a medical exception and establishing tiered penalties for non-medical use. It permits possession only if cannabis was obtained directly from a licensed physician for a qualifying medical condition (as defined in TCA §68-7-101). For non-medical possession, it sets fines up to $100 for 1 ounce or less (with no jail time), and increases penalties for larger amounts or repeat offenses - up to $2,500 fines and 6 months in jail for third offenses of more than 1 ounce. The bill directly affects Tennessee residents who possess cannabis, distinguishing between medical use and non-compliant possession.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeReduces penalties for minor cannabis possession (no jail for ≤1oz) and creates medical exemption, decreasing criminalization of low-level offenses per criminal justice reform indicators.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables medical cannabis access through licensed physician diagnosis, expanding patient treatment options for qualifying conditions under healthcare framework.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 10, 2026

SB 1795: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, requires health benefit plans entered into, amended, or renewed on or after January 1, 2027, to provide coverage for services related to acquired brain injury; requires the commissioner of commerce and insurance to promulgate rules to provide a process for an expedited appeal of an adverse determination related to such coverage. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 1795 requires all health insurance plans in Tennessee renewed or entered after January 1, 2027, to cover specific treatments for acquired brain injury (ABI), including cognitive rehabilitation, neurofeedback therapy, and community reintegration services. It directly affects health insurers (who must provide this coverage) and patients with ABI (who gain guaranteed access to these treatments). The bill prohibits lifetime or unreasonable annual limits on these services and mandates insurers to create an expedited appeal process for coverage denials related to ABI care. This policy change ensures broader access to critical ABI therapies without arbitrary coverage restrictions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates coverage for ABI treatments (cognitive rehab, neurofeedback) and prohibits lifetime limits, expanding patient access to essential health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 15, 2026

SB 1716: Education - As enacted, expands the prescribed forms of epinephrine that an LEA or nonpublic school is authorized to administer when a student is believed to be experiencing a life-threatening allergic or anaphylactic reaction to any prescribed form of epinephrine, not just epinephrine auto-injectors. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 68, Chapter 140, Part 5.

SB 1716 allows Tennessee public and nonpublic schools to administer any prescribed form of epinephrine (not just auto-injectors) to students experiencing severe allergic reactions. It updates school policy by removing the restriction to "epinephrine auto-injectors" in state law, enabling schools to use vials, syringes, or other forms maintained under physician protocols. Schools must keep epinephrine in secure, accessible locations and follow physician-approved standing protocols. The bill also clarifies that school staff and prescribing physicians won’t face liability for administering epinephrine in good faith during emergencies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill expands emergency medical access by allowing schools to administer all prescribed epinephrine forms for allergic reactions, improving student health care during critical incidents.95% confidence

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 1580: Health Care - As enacted, prohibits a person from developing or deploying an artificial intelligence system that advertises or represents to the public that such system is or is able to act as a qualified mental health professional. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 47 and Title 63.

SB 1580 prohibits developers and deployers of artificial intelligence systems from advertising or claiming that their AI can act as a qualified mental health professional. This directly affects AI companies and developers who market their systems to the public. Violations are treated as deceptive practices under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act, subject to a $5,000 civil penalty per violation. The law defines "artificial intelligence" broadly as systems capable of human-like reasoning and learning.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI from falsely claiming mental health professional status, protecting consumers and upholding service standards in mental health care.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits AI from falsely advertising mental health services, a consumer protection measure aligning with technology regulation for user safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

signed · Tennessee · House May 26, 2026

HB 2029: Dieticians and Nutritionists - As enacted, enacts the "Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act." - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 63.

HB 2029 revises Tennessee's licensure requirements for dietitians and nutritionists, creating a new "Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act" in Title 63. It requires licensure for medical nutrition therapy (like managing diabetes or kidney disease) but allows unlicensed providers to offer general nutrition advice (e.g., healthy eating tips for the public). The bill expands the governing board from five to nine members and defines key terms, such as "complex" cases needing licensed care versus "non-complex" situations. This directly affects dietitians, nutritionists, and healthcare consumers seeking these services in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires licensure for medical nutrition therapy (e.g., diabetes management), ensuring qualified care for complex health cases, aligning with patient safety and access standards in healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2026

HB 1730: Healthcare Liability - As introduced, removes the three-year statute of repose for a healthcare liability action based on an injury that was not discovered when the negligent act or injury occurred so that the action may be brought within one year from the date of such discovery. - Amends TCA Title 28 and Title 29.

HB 1730 would change Tennessee's medical malpractice law by removing a three-year deadline for filing lawsuits based on injuries discovered later. Currently, patients must sue within three years of the negligent medical act, even if they only discovered the injury afterward. This bill would allow lawsuits to be filed within one year of discovering the injury instead. It directly affects patients who learn about medical harm after the current three-year period has expired.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill extends medical malpractice statute of repose to one year from injury discovery, protecting patient rights by allowing delayed claims.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2035: Safety - As introduced, requires an air medical communication specialist to be certified within six months of employment by certain listed certified flight programs. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 140.

SB 2035 requires air medical communication specialists working for certain Tennessee flight programs to obtain certification within six months of starting their job. Specifically, they must be certified by either the Commission on Accreditation of Medical Transport Systems (CAMTS) or the International Association of Medical Transport Communication Specialists. This applies to flight programs accredited by CAMTS under its current or future standards, or those using the IATCS certification pathway. The bill creates a new requirement for these specialists' qualifications, directly affecting accredited air medical transport programs in Tennessee. It takes effect upon becoming law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires certification for air medical communication specialists, enhancing safety standards in emergency medical services, a critical healthcare component.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates certification for air medical specialists to ensure workplace safety standards, directly advancing worker protection in safety-critical roles.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Professional Licensing

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