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.
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.
Tennessee's SB 1664 prohibits healthcare providers from asking minors questions about gender identity, gender confusion, or whether they feel "normal in their body" without a parent being physically present, fully informed, and providing written consent. The bill specifically bans questions like "Do you identify as a gender different from your sex?" unless directly related to diagnosing or treating a current medical or psychological condition. It also prevents health insurers from requiring such questions for payment or penalizing providers who don't ask them. The law applies to all healthcare providers and facilities serving minors under 18, with exceptions for emergencies, mandated child abuse reporting, and minors who are emancipated or parents themselves.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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).
