Healthcare (Public Health)

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 1157: Drugs, Prescription - As enacted, enacts the "Restore Trust in Public Health Messaging Act." - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 68.

HB 1157, the "Restore Trust in Public Health Messaging Act," requires Tennessee's Department of Health, local health departments, and state executive branch to ensure all public communications about FDA-regulated products (like medications) accurately reflect the FDA-approved or FDA-authorized labels. It prohibits promoting information that conflicts with these labels, including general product categories unless universally true or properly qualified. The law mandates an internal compliance review by July 2025, annual reporting to state officials starting in 2026, and a complaint process for violations with potential penalties. This directly affects state health agencies' public messaging about medical products, aiming to align communications with federal FDA standards.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates accurate public health messaging for FDA-approved drugs, preventing misleading claims that could endanger patients, aligning with protecting public health integrity.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 573: Health Care - As introduced, requires LEAs and public charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products in all women's and girl's bathrooms and locker rooms used by students in grades four through 12 in certain schools; requires a public health campaign dedicated to encouraging individuals and nonprofit organizations to contribute or drop off feminine hygiene products to eligible schools. - Amends TCA Title 49; Title 63; Title 67 and Title 68.

SB 573 requires Tennessee public schools (including charter schools) to provide free feminine hygiene products in all women's and girls' bathrooms and locker rooms used by students in grades 4 through 12. Schools will be reimbursed by the state for the cost of these products. The bill also mandates a public health campaign to encourage individuals and nonprofits to donate products to eligible schools. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires free feminine hygiene products in schools as a public health measure, improving access to essential health services for students.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Jan 16, 2025

SB 143: Health Care - As introduced, requires the department of health to provide free diapers for new mothers and working parents of children less than two years old; requires LEAs and public charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products in all women's and girl's bathrooms and locker rooms used by students in grades four through 12 in certain schools; requires public health campaigns dedicated to both purposes. - Amends TCA Title 49; Title 63; Title 67 and Title 68.

SB 143 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to provide free diapers to new mothers or working parents/guardians of children under age two upon request, excluding those already enrolled in TennCare or CoverKids programs. It also mandates that all public schools (including charter schools) provide free feminine hygiene products in women's and girls' bathrooms and locker rooms for students in grades 4-12, with the state reimbursing schools for these costs. The bill directs the Department of Health to create public health campaigns promoting both diaper access and feminine hygiene product availability. These provisions apply starting July 1, 2025, for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free feminine hygiene products in K-12 schools (grades 4-12) for student access, with state reimbursement funding. Directly advances educational access and student health needs.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates free diapers and feminine hygiene products through public health initiatives, improving access to essential health resources without cost barriers for vulnerable groups.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health Public Health

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2025

HB 1107: Health Care - As introduced, requires LEAs and public charter schools to provide free feminine hygiene products in all women's and girl's bathrooms and locker rooms used by students in grades four through 12 in certain schools; requires a public health campaign dedicated to encouraging individuals and nonprofit organizations to contribute or drop off feminine hygiene products to eligible schools. - Amends TCA Title 49; Title 63; Title 67 and Title 68.

HB 1107 requires Tennessee public schools (including public charter schools) serving grades 4-12 to provide free feminine hygiene products in all women’s and girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms. The bill also mandates state reimbursement for schools purchasing these products and directs the Department of Health to launch a public campaign encouraging donations from individuals and nonprofits. It applies to the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, with an effective date of July 1, 2025. The bill failed in the Education Administration Subcommittee on March 11, 2025, and did not advance further.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProvides free feminine hygiene products in schools, improving access to essential health services under public health programs per bill's mandate and state reimbursement requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 4, 2026

HB 688: Health, Dept. of - As introduced, authorizes the commissioner to develop and maintain an essential buffer stock of necessary medicines and healthcare supplies to be distributed during a natural or man-made disaster, mass casualty event, or public health emergency. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 53; Title 58; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 688 requires Tennessee's Health Commissioner to create and maintain a statewide stockpile of essential medicines and medical supplies for emergencies like natural disasters, public health crises, or mass casualty events. This stockpile directly affects healthcare providers, hospitals, and rural or medically underserved communities by ensuring priority access during emergencies. Key provisions include establishing guidelines for procurement and distribution, consulting with emergency management officials, and allowing contracts with private vendors to manage a "virtually sequestered" buffer stock. The bill mandates that distribution plans specifically address needs in underserved areas and prioritize facilities serving vulnerable populations during shortages.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates essential medicine stockpile for emergencies, ensuring healthcare access during crises and strengthening public health infrastructure.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 3, 2025

HB 188: Physicians and Surgeons - As introduced, requires physicians who attend to a pregnant woman during gestation to take or cause to be taken a sample of blood to test for syphilis infection at the first examination and visit, sometime between the 28th and 32nd week of gestation, and at delivery; clarifies that the hepatitis B surface antigen test is a part of the standard serological test. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 27; Title 56; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 188 requires physicians and surgeons attending pregnant patients in Tennessee to conduct specific blood tests during pregnancy. It mandates syphilis testing at the first visit, between 28-32 weeks gestation, and at delivery, while clarifying that hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) testing is part of standard prenatal care. All results must be reported to local health departments for communicable disease tracking. This directly affects all healthcare providers delivering prenatal care in the state and ensures consistent testing for two preventable infections during each pregnancy.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates syphilis/hepatitis B testing during pregnancy for public health tracking, strengthening disease prevention and reporting in prenatal care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health Women's Health

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introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 516: Public Health - As introduced, adds the legislative librarian as a party to which the department of health must submit an annual report based on data received by a county or district health department that operates a needle and hypodermic syringe exchange program, including the number of people served, number of needles, syringes, and supplies dispensed and returned to the program, number of naloxone kits distributed, and the number and type of treatment referrals provided. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 14; Title 29; Title 33; Title 37; Title 39; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 516 requires the Tennessee Department of Health to include the legislative librarian as a recipient of annual reports from county or district health departments operating needle and syringe exchange programs. These reports must detail specific data, including the number of people served, needles/syringes dispensed and returned, naloxone kits distributed, and treatment referrals made. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 4, 8, 14, 29, 33, 37, 39, 53, 56, 63, 68, and 71) to add this reporting requirement. The change does not alter program operations or funding but expands transparency by directing this data to the legislative librarian.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates data reporting for needle exchange programs, enhancing transparency and oversight of public health initiatives.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 1220: Birth Control - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Contraceptive Freedom Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 1220, the "Tennessee Contraceptive Freedom Act," establishes a fundamental right for all individuals to make decisions about their reproductive health, including access to contraceptives and related information. It requires healthcare providers to either provide contraceptive services or refer patients to someone who can, and prohibits restrictions that single out contraceptive care or impede access. The bill defines "contraception" broadly (including emergency contraception and sterilization) and clarifies it is distinct from abortion. It applies directly to patients, healthcare providers, health insurance carriers, and public health agencies across Tennessee. The bill is currently pending, having failed in the Health Committee's Population Health Subcommittee on March 18, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes right to contraceptive access, mandates provider services, prohibits restrictions on reproductive health care95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health Women's Health

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