Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1917: Health Care - As introduced, redefines a licensed professional counselor as a limited practice professional counselor; redefines a licensed professional counselor with a designation as a mental health service provider as a licensed professional counselor; terminates the issuance of limited practice professional counselor licenses on July 1, 2028. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 49; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1917 redefines Tennessee's counseling licensure by creating a new "limited practice professional counselor" (LPPC) category while eliminating the previous distinction. It requires all current LPPC license holders to transition to the standard "licensed professional counselor" (LPC) category by July 1, 2028, when LPPC licenses will no longer be issued. The bill amends multiple state codes to update terminology, clarify requirements for LPC licensure (including specific coursework and supervised experience), and establish the transition timeline. This directly affects current LPPC license holders who must convert to LPC status before the 2028 deadline.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill standardizes mental health counseling licensure by phasing out limited practice licenses and requiring higher standards for all counselors, strengthening professional qualifications in mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health

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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 Introduced in January 2026, it was withdrawn in February 2026 without further legislative action.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 · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2016: Employees, Employers - As introduced, requires employers that condition employment or prospective employment upon an employee or prospective employee submitting to a mental health evaluation to grant the employee or prospective employee reasonable access to the results of the mental health evaluation, including any report from a mental health professional or other evaluator; provides a private right of action for an employee or prospective employee who is denied such access. - Amends TCA Title 8 and Title 50.

HB 2016 requires employers who make mental health evaluations a condition of employment to provide employees and job applicants with reasonable access to the results of those evaluations, including reports from mental health professionals. Employers must grant this access during normal business hours, and employees denied access can sue for a court order to obtain the results. If an employee wins such a lawsuit, they are entitled to recover court costs and attorney fees. The bill applies to both current employees and prospective hires, covering evaluations required for hiring or continued employment. It specifically targets employers who condition employment on submitting to mental health assessments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects employee rights to access mental health evaluation results, ensuring transparency in employer-mandated mental health assessments under healthcare context.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates employer access to mental health evaluation results for employees, protecting workers' rights and providing legal recourse for denial, directly strengthening employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 1848: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, prohibits an insurer from denying, conditioning the issuance or effectiveness of, or discriminating in the pricing of a medicare supplement policy if an applicant meets certain listed requirements, including a non-age eligible person who submits an application for enrollment in a medicare supplement policy with a different insurer within 60 days of such person's birthday and makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 56.

HB 1848 prohibits Tennessee insurers from denying or charging higher rates for Medicare supplement policies based on health status, specifically for "non-age eligible persons" under 65 who qualify for Medicare due to disability or end-stage renal disease. It requires insurers to offer these policies at the weighted average premium rate (calculated across all Medicare-eligible age groups) without waiting periods or preexisting condition exclusions. The law applies to applicants who submit applications within 60 days of their birthday when switching insurers, or during specified enrollment periods before January 2027. The bill takes effect January 1, 2027, affecting insurers and this specific group of Medicare beneficiaries.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from denying/charging higher rates for Medicare supplements based on health status, ensuring access for disabled/ESRD patients without preexisting condition exclusions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 1590: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact to June 30, 2034. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 63, Chapter 13, Part 5.

HB 1590 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact to June 30, 2034, allowing occupational therapists to practice across state lines under the compact until that date. The bill amends Tennessee Code to establish this specific termination date for the compact and other governmental entities created in 2032, both expiring on June 30, 2034. This change does not alter current licensure requirements but sets a clear timeline for the compact's continuation, requiring future legislative action to extend beyond 2034. The compact enables therapists to work in multiple states without obtaining separate licenses in each.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends interstate practice for occupational therapists, improving access to healthcare services without altering licensure requirements.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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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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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1471: Courts - As enacted, removes a conviction for domestic assault from the definition of a violent offender for purposes of drug treatment courts; changes the definition of a violent offender for purposes of drug treatment courts from an offender with a conviction for an offense involving certain acts to an offender with a conviction for a felony offense involving certain acts within the previous 10 years. - Amends TCA Title 16, Chapter 22.

HB 1471 amends Tennessee law to change the definition of a "violent offender" for drug treatment court eligibility. It removes convictions for domestic assault (if not a felony) from being counted as a violent offense, instead requiring a felony conviction for certain acts within the previous 10 years. This change would allow more individuals with non-felony domestic assault convictions to qualify for drug treatment courts. The amendment takes effect on July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill expands drug treatment court eligibility by removing non-felony domestic assault from violent offender definition, promoting rehabilitation over incarceration.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to drug treatment programs (a healthcare service) by removing non-felony domestic assault from violent offender definition, broadening eligibility for treatment courts.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Drug Policy Violent Crime

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SJR 619: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Recognizes importance of substance abuse prevention education. -

SJR 619 is a non-binding resolution recognizing Tennessee's youth substance abuse crisis, citing data like 29.8% of students vaping nicotine and 13% vaping marijuana per the 2022-2023 Tennessee Together Student Survey. It recommends schools implement evidence-based prevention programs - starting in kindergarten and continuing through graduation - integrated into existing health and physical education curricula. The resolution specifically advocates for life skills training, social-emotional learning, and mental health support as part of these programs. As a statement of intent, it urges the Tennessee Department of Education to adopt these approaches but does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill advocates for integrating substance abuse prevention into school curricula, enhancing student programs and promoting life skills training per Tennessee survey data.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates for evidence-based substance abuse prevention programs in schools, integrated into health curricula, strengthening public health initiatives as part of healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2080: TennCare - As introduced, directs the first $150 million of tax revenue generated by the health maintenance organization tax on or after July 1, 2026, to be utilized to draw down federal funds to reimburse a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, or physician assistant who is entitled to receive TennCare reimbursement for a CPT code for evaluation and management, obstetrics and gynecology, or anesthesia. - Amends TCA Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 2080 directs the first $150 million in tax revenue from Tennessee's health maintenance organization tax (starting July 1, 2026) to draw down federal funds for specific healthcare providers. It requires reimbursement for physicians, advanced practice registered nurses, and physician assistants who treat TennCare patients for evaluation, obstetrics/gynecology, or anesthesia services using designated medical billing codes. Reimbursement must cover up to 110% of the current Medicare rate for those services. The bill applies to TennCare reimbursements for services provided on or after July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesDirects $150M in existing tax revenue to fund healthcare provider reimbursements for TennCare, aligning with funding essential public services under budget/fiscal management.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects $150M tax revenue to reimburse providers for TennCare services at 110% Medicare rate, expanding coverage access and funding for healthcare providers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Healthcare Workforce Medicare

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2003: Education, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts the "School Mental Health Transparency Act"; requires the department to consult relevant agencies to compile a list of mental health resources; requires public schools to use the department's list to compile lists of mental health resources available to enrolled students and provide the lists to students' parents; requires that lists of mental health resources be published on the website of the department and each public school. - Amends TCA Title 10, Chapter 7; Title 33 and Title 49.

HB 2003, the "School Mental Health Transparency Act," requires Tennessee's Department of Education to compile and publish a statewide list of mental health resources for students, including geographic locations and availability limitations. Public schools must then use this list to create their own school-specific resource lists and share them annually with parents/guardians (starting 2026-2027) or directly with eligible students, while also posting the lists on school websites. The bill mandates no new staffing or funding, clarifies that listing resources doesn't endorse them, and requires the department to consult multiple state agencies like health and children's services when building the initial list. This directly affects all Tennessee public schools, students, and their families by standardizing access to mental health support information.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to provide mental health resources to students/parents, enhancing access to student support services within educational context.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires statewide mental health resource lists for schools, improving student access to mental health services per bill's transparency mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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