SB 1909 changes eligibility rules for Tennessee's drug treatment courts by revising the definition of a "violent offender." It removes convictions for domestic assault from being considered a violent offense that disqualifies someone from these courts, while requiring that a disqualifying violent offense must now be a felony committed within the past 10 years. This means individuals previously barred due to a domestic assault conviction (but without a recent felony violent offense) may now qualify for drug treatment court instead of standard criminal sentencing. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 16-22-103 and takes effect July 1, 2026.
HB 1866, the "Regulate Artificial Intelligence in Health Care Act," requires health insurance companies, pharmacy benefits managers, and state health programs like TennCare to have a licensed healthcare professional review any AI-driven decision to deny, delay, or modify medical care based on medical necessity. The bill prohibits using AI alone for such decisions without this human review, which must consider the patient’s medical history, the provider’s recommendation, and individual clinical circumstances. Violations would be treated as unfair claims practices, allowing affected patients to sue for actual damages, punitive damages, and attorney fees. The law would take effect on July 1, 2026, for most purposes.
SB 1790 requires insurers covering inmates in Tennessee to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications equally with opioids in their preferred drug lists (PDLs), meaning non-opioid options cannot be disadvantaged in coverage or cost-sharing. It directly affects insurers offering policies that cover incarcerated individuals, including TennCare and private health plans. The law mandates that non-opioid medications (approved by the FDA for pain management) must have equal coverage treatment relative to opioids on the PDL, without prohibiting insurers from favoring one opioid over another. The bill applies to all such medications approved by the FDA for nine months or longer and takes effect January 1, 2027.
HB 1761 requires Tennessee's state employee assistance program - providing mental health and wellness support - to be available to all active volunteer firefighters in recognized volunteer and combination fire departments, with the state covering all costs. It directly affects volunteer members of these departments, who previously may not have had access to such state-funded support. The bill amends two key sections of state code to expand eligibility and clarify program access, while also making minor technical updates to fire department reporting requirements. The policy change takes effect January 1, 2027, and aims to address mental health needs specific to frontline fire service workers.
SB 2032 requires Tennessee public safety employers (such as police departments, fire services, and emergency medical personnel) to provide employees and job applicants with reasonable access to their full employment records, including mental health evaluation results. If an applicant is denied employment based on a mental health evaluation, they can request the evaluation results and submit an alternative evaluation at their own expense, which the employer must review. The bill amends multiple Tennessee codes to implement these transparency requirements and allows employees to sue for violations, with the winning party recovering attorney fees. This law directly affects public safety workers and job seekers in roles involving protection of persons or property.
HB 1872 would create a new civil lawsuit option for individuals (or their parents/guardians for minors) who consented to certain medical procedures due to coercion by a healthcare professional. Specifically, it targets procedures related to gender identity (like puberty blockers or hormones) when consent was obtained through coercion, not voluntary choice. The bill sets a strict 18-year deadline to file such lawsuits, starting from the procedure date or when the injury was discovered. This bill does not change existing medical standards but adds a legal remedy for alleged coercion in specific gender-related healthcare contexts. (Note: The bill is pending in committee and not yet law.)
HB 2044 expands the scope of practice for certified medical assistants (CMAs) in Tennessee by allowing physician assistants (PAs) to delegate medication administration tasks to them. The bill specifically adds 15 medication categories to what CMAs can administer, including vaccines, oral/sublingual medications, topical treatments, inhalers, and certain anesthetic agents (like transdermal patches), while prohibiting delegation of tasks requiring clinical judgment. It requires ambulatory clinics to train and verify CMAs' competency for medication administration, updates certification requirements to include additional certifying bodies, and clarifies that PAs must work under protocols with collaborating physicians. The changes directly affect CMAs, PAs, and outpatient clinics, aiming to clarify delegation authority under existing medical practice laws.
This Senate Resolution (SR 263) urges TennCare, Tennessee's Medicaid program, to cover and reimburse doula services for pregnant and postpartum individuals. It directly affects TennCare beneficiaries - particularly those in rural areas or facing health disparities - and doulas providing childbirth support. The resolution cites evidence from pilot programs like Nashville Strong Babies, which showed improved outcomes including higher breastfeeding rates, fewer C-sections, and healthier birth weights. It does not create new law but formally requests TennCare to expand coverage for these non-medical, community-based services.
SB 2040, the "FAIR Rx Act," prohibits pharmacy benefits managers (PBMs) from owning, controlling, or having any financial interest in pharmacies in Tennessee after January 1, 2027. It requires pharmacies to disclose all owners with 5% or more stake and prevents PBMs from using contracts (like management or revenue-sharing agreements) to exert operational control over pharmacies. The bill directly affects PBMs, pharmacies (especially rural and community ones), and aims to prevent conflicts of interest that could restrict patient choice, increase costs, or undermine pharmacist independence. By separating financial control from patient care decisions, it seeks to improve transparency and affordability in prescription drug access.
HB 1861 modifies Tennessee's probation rules for felony offenders who violate probation by committing a drug offense. For a first-time violation involving a drug offense, the bill requires judges to order substance abuse treatment instead of revoking probation and suspension of sentence. The law applies when a judge finds by "more likely than not" evidence that the violation occurred. This change aims to prioritize treatment over punishment for initial drug-related probation breaches.
