Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2100: Opioids - As introduced, removes nonresidential substitution-based treatment centers for opiate addiction from the requirement of obtaining a certificate of need beginning July 1, 2026. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 11 and Chapter 985 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 2100 removes a requirement for nonresidential substitution-based treatment centers (like medication-assisted therapy for opiate addiction) to obtain a certificate of need starting July 1, 2026. This change affects treatment centers providing outpatient care for opiate addiction, eliminating a prior approval process for these facilities. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 68, Chapters 11 and 985) to delete the certificate of need mandate. The policy change aims to reduce regulatory barriers for these treatment centers, effective July 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves certificate of need requirement for opioid treatment centers, increasing access to outpatient care without prior approval.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 4, 2026

SB 2279: Health Care - As enacted, requires the department of health to make available to the public on its website all inspection criteria required for compliance by pain management clinics; makes other changes relative to pain management. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 2279 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to publish all inspection criteria used for pain management clinics on its website, making compliance standards transparent for clinics. It mandates that the department publicly share the criteria for identifying "high-risk" prescribers (based on patient overdose rates) and remove such designations after prescribers complete required training. The bill also exempts pain management specialists from the high-risk prescriber list and allows them to temporarily cover for medical directors without counting toward the four-clinic limit for medical directors. These changes directly affect pain management clinics, prescribers, and pain management specialists by clarifying regulatory expectations and providing pathways to address high-risk designations.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates public inspection criteria transparency and exempts pain management specialists from high-risk lists, improving regulatory clarity and support for healthcare providers.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Substance Abuse

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2008: Environment and Conservation, Department of - As introduced, enacts the "Climate Resiliency Fund Act." - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 5; Title 9; Title 60; Title 67 and Title 68.

SB 2008 establishes the "Climate Resiliency Fund" to finance climate adaptation projects across Tennessee. It requires fossil fuel businesses (like coal and oil operations) that existed between 1995 and 2026 to pay cost recovery charges into the fund. The fund will support concrete projects such as flood protections, infrastructure upgrades, nature-based solutions, and healthcare programs addressing climate impacts like extreme weather and heat waves. Priority funding is directed to environmental justice communities facing higher climate burdens due to income, race, or language barriers.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill imposes cost recovery charges on fossil fuel businesses to fund climate adaptation projects, creating a dedicated budget stream for essential environmental services.95% confidence ✓ EnergySupports EnergyRequires fossil fuel businesses to fund climate adaptation projects including infrastructure upgrades, aligning with clean energy infrastructure investment and reducing fossil fuel reliance.85% confidence ✓ EnvironmentSupports EnvironmentEstablishes Climate Resiliency Fund financed by fossil fuel businesses to fund climate adaptation projects like flood protection and nature-based solutions, directly advancing environmental protection and climate resilience.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill explicitly funds healthcare programs addressing climate impacts like extreme weather and heat waves, aligning with healthcare funding indicators.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Coal Oil & Gas Coastal & Flood Protection Conservation Environmental Justice Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 13, 2026

HB 1954: Opioids - As enacted, adds that a healthcare provider who subcontracts through the contracted healthcare vendor with the department of correction may prescribe a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder if other certain listed criteria are met. - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 63.

HB 1954 would allow healthcare providers working with correctional facilities to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment, expanding current rules. It specifically modifies Tennessee law to include providers subcontracted through healthcare vendors contracted with the Department of Correction or county/municipal jails, provided other specified criteria are met. The bill amends Sections 53-11-311 and 63 of Tennessee Code to enable this expanded access within correctional healthcare settings. The bill is currently in committee review (as of February 2026) and has not yet become law. It directly affects correctional healthcare providers and incarcerated individuals receiving opioid treatment in Tennessee facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeExpands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, promoting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through healthcare intervention within the criminal justice system.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities by allowing subcontracted providers, improving patient access to evidence-based care per healthcare support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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signed · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1816: Drugs, Prescription - As enacted, requires the Tennessee opioid abatement council to allocate funds held in the opioid abatement fund in a certain manner. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 38 and Title 41.

HB 1816, "The Isbill Act," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers and correctional staff to undergo annual training on the criteria for involuntary hospitalization for mental health treatment. Specifically, it mandates the POST Commission and Tennessee Corrections Institute to create and adopt guidelines explaining when emergency and non-emergency involuntary admissions to inpatient care are appropriate. These guidelines will directly affect all law enforcement officers and correctional personnel in the state. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 33, 38, and 41 to implement these training requirements, effective July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement training on mental health involuntary admissions, reducing criminalization of mental health crises and aligning with reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual mental health training for law enforcement on involuntary admission criteria, improving protocol access to inpatient care and aligning with mental health service support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 23, 2026

HB 1741: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, authorizes the department to adopt or amend a formulary for use in the correctional facilities operated by or on behalf of the department. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 41; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 1741 requires insurers covering incarcerated individuals in Tennessee to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications equally with opioids on their preferred drug lists (PDL). Specifically, insurers must not disadvantage or discourage coverage for non-opioid pain treatments compared to opioids, provided the non-opioid has been FDA-approved for pain management for at least nine months. The bill applies to all insurance policies covering inmates, including those through TennCare or private insurers, and amends multiple Tennessee Code titles related to healthcare coverage. It takes effect January 1, 2027, and does not prevent insurers from favoring one opioid over another or one non-opioid over another.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires insurers to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain treatments equally with opioids for incarcerated individuals, improving healthcare access in corrections and supporting rehabilitation-focused reform.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal insurance coverage for FDA-approved non-opioid pain treatments vs opioids, advancing safer pain management access for incarcerated patients and reducing opioid reliance in healthcare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 23, 2026

SB 1790: Correction, Dept. of - As enacted, authorizes the department to adopt or amend a formulary for use in the correctional facilities operated by or on behalf of the department. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 41; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates equal coverage for FDA-approved non-opioid pain meds in correctional settings, promoting rehabilitation and reducing opioid dependency among inmates, aligning with criminal justice reform indicators.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain meds equally with opioids in coverage, improving patient access to safer alternatives and reducing opioid reliance per healthcare policy goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 1861: Probation and Parole - As introduced, specifies that if the trial judge finds by a preponderance of the evidence that the defendant has violated conditions of probation and suspension of sentence for a felony offense by engaging in conduct that constitutes a drug offense, then for the first instance of such a violation, the trial judge must order the defendant to attend a substance abuse treatment program and must not revoke the defendant's probation and suspension of sentence. - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 35.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill mandates substance abuse treatment over probation revocation for first-time drug-related violations, prioritizing rehabilitation and reducing punitive measures in criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates substance abuse treatment for first-time drug-related probation violations, directing offenders into healthcare services rather than punishment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Judges Probation & Parole Substance Abuse

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HJR 749: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Recognizes importance of substance abuse prevention education. -

HJR 749 is a non-binding resolution recognizing Tennessee's youth substance abuse crisis, citing data from the 2022-2023 Tennessee Together Student Survey showing high rates of vaping (29.8% of students), underage alcohol use (33% of students), and prescription drug misuse. It recommends implementing a long-term, evidence-based prevention program in school curricula - from kindergarten through graduation - to teach life skills, mental health support, and healthy decision-making. The resolution does not create new laws but urges the Tennessee Department of Education to adopt this approach, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness (saving $4.60-$18.00 for every $1 spent). Introduced in January 2026, it was withdrawn in February 2026 without further legislative action.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRecommends evidence-based substance abuse prevention curriculum in K-12, enhancing student program access and life skills education per resolution language.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRecommends evidence-based mental health support and substance abuse prevention in school curricula, directly advancing public health initiatives under healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Mental Health Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 24, 2026

SB 1848: Controlled Substances - As enacted, authorizes additional healthcare providers to directly administer buprenorphine mono or buprenorphine without the use of naloxone; adds that prescribing a buprenorphine product to nursing mother or prescribing an injectable mono product does not restrict certain healthcare providers from prescribing a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder without naloxone. - Amends TCA Title 53, Chapter 11.

SB 1848 amends Tennessee law to expand access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder by allowing more healthcare providers (beyond physicians) to directly administer buprenorphine without naloxone, acting within their scope of practice. The bill specifically permits prescribing to nursing mothers and patients with documented adverse reactions to naloxone, and clarifies that prescribing injectable forms doesn't restrict providers from prescribing buprenorphine without naloxone. These changes aim to streamline treatment options while maintaining safety protocols for specific patient groups. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 53-11-311(b)(1) and (c)(2).

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder by allowing more healthcare providers to prescribe without naloxone, improving patient access to critical care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Medical Licensing Substance Abuse

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