HB 395, the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act," prohibits Tennessee health insurers from covering organ transplants or post-transplant care if the organ was sourced from China or procured through sale/donation originating in China. It also bans medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencing equipment or software produced by entities linked to "foreign adversaries" (specifically targeting China per the bill's context), requiring replacement within 180 days. Additionally, the bill mandates that all genetic sequencing data must be stored within the United States, with remote access from outside the country prohibited without approval from the state health commissioner. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, directly affecting health insurers, hospitals, and research facilities operating in Tennessee.
SB 1053 would allow TennCare enrollees in Part A of the Katie Beckett program (children with disabilities requiring long-term care) to access their allocated community-based care funds through health reimbursement arrangements instead of traditional service delivery. The bill requires the TennCare director to take necessary actions, including seeking federal waiver amendments, to enable this option. It directly affects families enrolled in the Katie Beckett program by expanding how they can use their state-funded care resources. The change modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 71-5-164 to implement this flexibility in fund utilization. This is a procedural policy change focused on administrative access to existing funds.
SB 587 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to create a pilot program placing free feminine hygiene product vending machines (dispensing tampons and sanitary napkins) in women's restrooms or locker rooms at eligible public schools. The program targets schools with Title I designation serving grades 5-12 that have high percentages of economically disadvantaged students, prioritizing two schools per grand division. Participating schools receive the machines and initial supplies at no cost, with the department sourcing products through partnerships and donations. The initiative applies starting the 2025-2026 school year and aims to provide accessible hygiene products to students without financial burden.
SB 1256 requires Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration, working with the Department of Health and TennCare, to apply for federal approval by January 1, 2026, to import prescription drugs from Canada. The bill mandates that the application must prove imported drugs meet federal/state safety standards, comply with supply chain laws, list cost-saving drugs, and estimate annual savings versus importation costs. If approved, the state would implement a program focused on the most cost-effective drugs for TennCare (state Medicaid) and residents. This bill does not directly change drug prices or guarantee savings but sets a process for potential future cost reductions through federal approval. It affects state Medicaid programs and residents relying on prescription medications.
HB 995 expands Tennessee's law protecting individuals who seek medical help for an overdose to include alcohol-related incidents. It amends state code by replacing "drug overdose" with "overdose" and "drug violation" with "drug or alcohol violation" in immunity provisions. This means people calling for help during an alcohol or drug overdose can no longer face prosecution for minor alcohol or drug offenses related to the incident. The law directly affects individuals experiencing overdoses and those assisting them by seeking emergency care. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2025.
SB 789 amends Tennessee's licensure rules for marriage and family therapists to clarify student and trainee roles, update supervisor qualifications, and revise associate license requirements. It allows students in accredited programs to use titles like "marital therapy intern" under supervision, expands the definition of "approved supervisor" to include more licensed mental health professionals, and requires associate license holders to pass a licensing exam within nine months while practicing under supervision. The bill also specifies that associate license holders must display their status as "associate licensed marriage and family therapist" (AMFT) and cannot claim full licensure. These changes directly affect therapy students, trainees, and practitioners seeking licensure in Tennessee.
SB 817 allows healthcare providers to prescribe and pharmacists to dispense asthma rescue inhalers to authorized entities (like schools, childcare centers, sports venues, and restaurants) under a pre-approved plan. Schools in Tennessee are encouraged to keep these inhalers in at least two accessible, secure locations (e.g., offices or nurse stations) for immediate use during asthma emergencies. The bill protects trained staff and schools from liability when administering the inhaler in good faith during emergencies, as long as they follow the healthcare provider’s standing protocol. It specifically amends Tennessee law to create these protocols for both general authorized entities and schools.
SB 1380 shortens the deadline ambulance services must provide patient run records. It reduces the required time from five to three business days for both patients (or their authorized representatives) who request copies and for health surveyors working with the Health Facilities Commission. The bill amends Tennessee law in Titles 56, 68, and 71 to implement this change. This affects ambulance providers statewide by streamlining their response time to record requests. The policy change is procedural, focusing solely on accelerating access to medical documentation.
HB 1219 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to create a pilot program placing free feminine hygiene product vending machines (for tampons and sanitary napkins) in women's restrooms or locker rooms at eligible public schools. It directly affects public schools in grades 5-12 that have Title I schoolwide designation and serve a high percentage of economically disadvantaged students. The program prioritizes selecting at least two schools per grand division, with the department sourcing machines and products through partnerships or donations. The pilot begins for the 2025-2026 school year and applies only to participating schools, not all schools statewide.
SB 650 ("Emma's Bill") requires Tennessee's TennCare program to consider a patient's overall health condition - not just cost - when deciding if medical services are medically necessary. It directly affects TennCare patients (particularly those with complex needs like ventilator use or mobility issues) and the Tennessee Department of Health (the "bureau" making coverage decisions). The bill amends TennCare rules to mandate that reviewers assess factors like mobility, cognitive ability, need for supervision, and life-sustaining equipment, even if the chosen care isn't the least expensive option. This shifts the focus from cost-cutting to holistic patient needs in coverage determinations. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
