Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 4, 2025

HB 1156: Children - As introduced, deletes the responsibility of a parent or legal guardian to ensure that such person's child receives vaccines as recommended by guidelines of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention or the American Academy of Pediatrics. - Amends TCA Title 37.

HB 1156 would remove a Tennessee law requiring parents or legal guardians to ensure their children receive vaccines recommended by the CDC or AAP. This change directly affects parents and guardians in Tennessee who currently have this legal obligation under TCA Title 37. The bill specifically deletes Section 37-10-401(a) of the Tennessee Code but clarifies it won't impact existing school, daycare, or childcare immunization requirements. The legislation is currently pending in the Health Committee for further review.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRemoves legal mandate for childhood vaccinations, weakening public health enforcement without altering school requirements90% confidence

Sub-Topics Children's Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 28, 2025

HB 111: Public Health - As enacted, adds as a disease for which a laboratory must test during a standard serological test of a pregnant woman hepatitis C antibody (anti-HCV) with automatic reflex to HCV RNA if anti-HCV is reactive, and makes certain other changes to the process of conducting required pregnancy serological tests. - Amends TCA Section 68-5-602.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds mandatory hepatitis C screening during pregnancy, expanding maternal health prevention measures to improve early detection and treatment of a critical public health concern.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

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died · Tennessee · House Apr 8, 2025

HB 155: Death - As enacted, removes the limitation that a death must have been anticipated for a registered nurse to make the actual determination and pronouncement of death if a deceased was a patient or resident at a nursing home, hospital, or assisted-care living facility. - Amends TCA Title 68.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves unnecessary restriction on nurses' authority to pronounce death in healthcare facilities, improving procedural efficiency without impacting coverage or funding.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Hospitals Long-Term Care

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died · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 1360: Child Abuse - As enacted, expands the definition of child abuse to include a person under the age of 18 witnessing either the abuse of another child in the person's immediate family or household or domestic abuse of a member of the person's immediate family or household; specifies that reunification between a parent and a child placed in foster care due to abuse must not occur unless the parent has complied with the parent's statement of responsibilities in the permanency plan and the child has received mental health counseling. - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 37 and Title 39.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health counseling for children in foster care due to abuse, directly advancing mental health services as part of healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 742: Dentists and Dentistry - As introduced, requires the commissioner of health to create programs designed to enhance access to dental services in rural and underserved areas subject to the approval of the commissioner of finance and administration. - Amends TCA Title 63, Chapter 5 and Title 68.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires programs to enhance dental access in underserved areas, directly improving healthcare access despite no allocated funds.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Telehealth

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passed both · Tennessee · Senate Apr 4, 2025

SB 318: Anatomical Gifts - As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act." - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 68.

SB 318, the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act," prohibits Tennessee health insurers from covering organ transplants sourced from the People's Republic of China or performed there, effective January 1, 2026. It also bans medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencing equipment or software produced by or linked to "foreign adversaries" (defined as nations on U.S. sanctions lists), requiring replacement within 180 days. The bill restricts storage of genetic sequencing data to U.S. geographic locations and prohibits remote access from outside the U.S. without state health commissioner approval. These provisions directly affect health insurers, hospitals, and research facilities operating in Tennessee.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareProhibits insurers from covering China-sourced organ transplants and bans foreign-linked genetic equipment, restricting healthcare access and coverage options.90% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyRestricts use of genetic sequencing tech from foreign adversaries, banning equipment linked to sanctioned nations and requiring replacement within 180 days.95% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 15, 2025

HB 865: Nurses, Nursing - As enacted, requires the board of nursing to permit a student to enroll in a practical nursing program offered by a public institution of higher education governed by the Tennessee board of regents if the student meets the qualifications for a high school diploma or its equivalent and meets other requirements; requires the board of nursing to permit a student enrolled in a practical nursing program to sit for the national council licensure exam for practical nurses (NCLEX-PN) upon completion of a practical nursing program. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 63.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases nursing workforce accessibility by streamlining program enrollment and NCLEX-PN exam eligibility, improving healthcare access and provider availability.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 680: Local Education Agencies - As enacted, requires an LEA and public charter school that provides parents or guardians of K-12 students with information on immunizations, infectious diseases, medications, or other school health issues to include information about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes published by the department of education; directs the department, in cooperation with the department of health, to publish and make available to LEAs and public charter schools for free on its website certain information about Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. - Amends TCA Title 49 and Title 68.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates schools to provide diabetes education resources, enhancing public health awareness and student health management through official health department collaboration.90% confidence

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 65: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the department of mental health and substance abuse services to June 30, 2029. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 4, Chapter 3.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends mental health department funding until 2029 by removing sunset provision, preventing defunding and ensuring service continuity.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

passed · Tennessee · House Apr 3, 2025

HB 1201: Medical Occupations - As introduced, limits a foreign training license of limited duration to an internationally licensed physician who meets certain listed criteria. - Amends TCA Title 63.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates pathway for foreign physicians to practice in TN with specific qualifications, potentially increasing healthcare provider access and workforce diversity.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

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