HB 1280 creates a $250 million "medical expense relief fund" within Tennessee's general fund to help the next of kin or estate of a decedent who was enrolled in TennCare at the time of death pay their unpaid medical debt and expenses. The Department of Human Services would administer the fund, setting application procedures, eligibility criteria (considering debt amount and need), and determining whether grants go to next of kin, the estate, or directly to creditors. Funds would be used solely for covering the decedent's medical costs, including unpaid TennCare benefits or premiums. The bill requires DHS to establish reporting mechanisms and submit annual reports to legislative committees, but it does not appropriate funds until the state budget act includes specific funding.
HB 760 authorizes healthcare providers to prescribe bronchodilator rescue inhalers to specific "authorized entities" (like schools, childcare centers, restaurants, and sports venues) for emergency use during asthma or respiratory distress episodes. It requires these entities to store inhalers in accessible, unlocked locations and train designated staff to administer them under pre-approved protocols. The bill also encourages all public schools and charter schools to maintain at least two inhalers in secure, accessible locations (e.g., offices or nurse’s stations) for student emergencies. Crucially, it provides legal protection for staff and entities who follow the protocols, shielding them from liability unless there was intentional disregard for safety. The law became effective May 2, 2025, after Governor’s signature.
HB 111 amends Tennessee's maternal health screening law to require standard blood tests during pregnancy to include hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) testing, with automatic follow-up testing for HCV RNA if the antibody test is reactive. This directly affects all pregnant women in Tennessee receiving routine prenatal care, as it adds hepatitis C screening to the existing mandatory tests for syphilis, rubella, and hepatitis B. The key provision mandates that laboratories performing these standard serological tests must automatically conduct the HCV RNA test when anti-HCV is positive, streamlining the detection of active hepatitis C infection. The bill aims to improve early identification of hepatitis C in pregnant individuals to support timely treatment and maternal health outcomes.
HB 155 amends Tennessee law to allow registered nurses to pronounce death for patients or residents in nursing homes, hospitals, or assisted-care facilities without needing to confirm the death was "anticipated." The bill removes this prior requirement and instead requires the attending physician's written agreement to sign the death certificate, which must be present at the time of death. This change directly affects registered nurses working in healthcare facilities by expanding their authority to formally declare death. The law took effect upon enactment (April 8, 2025), streamlining the death certification process for healthcare providers.
HB 1360 expands Tennessee's definition of child abuse to include minors under 18 who witness abuse of another child or domestic violence within their immediate family or household. It directly affects children in foster care due to abuse by requiring two specific conditions before reunification with a parent: the parent must complete their responsibilities in the permanency plan, and the child must receive mental health counseling. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 37-1-102 (defining abuse) and adds a new provision to Title 37 governing foster care reunification. These changes create concrete requirements for family reunification processes, focusing on parental accountability and child mental health support.
SB 742 requires Tennessee's Commissioner of Health to develop programs improving dental access in rural and underserved communities. These programs could include partnerships with dental schools, clinic upgrades, provider incentives, senior dental services, and telehealth support. All proposed programs must first receive approval from the Commissioner of Finance and Administration. The bill explicitly states it does not allocate funds, meaning no spending can occur without a separate legislative appropriation.
HB 865 changes Tennessee nursing education rules to make practical nursing programs more accessible. It requires the Board of Nursing to allow students who meet high school diploma or equivalent standards to enroll in public college practical nursing programs. The bill also mandates that students completing these programs can take the national NCLEX-PN licensing exam immediately after graduation, without additional requirements. Additionally, it sets a minimum of 1,296 clock hours for program completion and allows early high school access to nursing curricula. This law, effective July 1, 2025, directly affects students pursuing practical nursing licenses at Tennessee public institutions.
SB 680 requires Tennessee local schools (including public charter schools) to include specific diabetes information in health-related communications to parents of K-12 students, starting August 1, 2025. The bill mandates the Tennessee Department of Education, working with the Department of Health, to create and post free, downloadable resources on its website containing key facts about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes, risk factors, warning signs, screening guidance, and treatment planning recommendations. These resources must be provided to schools to share with parents when discussing immunizations, infectious diseases, or other health topics. The law took effect April 11, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.
SB 65 extends the operation of Tennessee's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services until June 30, 2029, by amending specific sections of state law. The bill removes an automatic expiration date (sunset provision) for the department, ensuring its continued funding and operations. This change directly affects the department's ability to provide mental health and substance abuse services across the state. The legislation modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapters 29 and 3, to reflect this extension.
HB 1201 creates a temporary "foreign training license" for internationally licensed physicians in Tennessee who meet specific criteria. It directly affects physicians trained outside the U.S. but holding valid licenses in their home countries, requiring them to provide proof of an AMA-approved medical education, an ECFMG certificate, three years of postgraduate training (or seven years of practice), and current good standing in their home licensing country. The license is tied to a specific Tennessee healthcare employer, requiring applicants to have a job offer from that provider and restricting practice to that employer unless the board is notified of a change. After two years of active practice in Tennessee under this license, physicians may qualify for a full, unrestricted medical license. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.
