SB 1290 permanently removes a temporary expiration date for a law that excludes certain testing equipment from being classified as drug paraphernalia. Specifically, it makes permanent the exclusion of equipment used to test for synthetic opioids (like fentanyl) unless the equipment is used to commit a drug crime. This change directly affects harm reduction organizations, public health workers, and law enforcement using such tools for legitimate testing purposes. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 39-17-402 by deleting the prior repeal date of July 1, 2025. The law is now permanent and took effect April 3, 2025.
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.
SB 692 requires Tennessee's Attorney General to annually report to legislative leaders (starting March 1, 2026) on violations of existing restrictions on medical procedures for minors related to gender identity. The report must include: (1) the number of violations reported to the Attorney General, (2) actions taken against healthcare providers who violated these rules, and (3) civil penalties collected. This bill directly affects the Attorney General's office (as the reporting entity) and healthcare providers who may perform restricted procedures. It does not change the underlying medical restrictions but adds transparency requirements for tracking enforcement.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
