Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 996: Psychologists - As introduced, creates prescribing authority for certain psychologists if certain conditions and prerequisites are met. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68.

This bill would allow certain licensed psychologists in Tennessee to independently prescribe medications for mental health conditions after meeting specific training and certification requirements. It directly affects doctoral-level psychologists who complete a post-doctoral master's program in clinical psychopharmacology, pass a national prescribing exam, and complete a one-year fellowship with 100 patient evaluations under supervision. Key provisions require 450 patient contact hours in training, a master's degree covering neurosciences and pharmacology, and verification by the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology. The board would issue an "advanced certificate to prescribe" for independent authority, expanding psychologists' scope to include prescribing psychotropic medications without physician oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health treatment access by granting prescribing authority to qualified psychologists, improving patient access to medication-based care without requiring psychiatrist oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 920: Sexual Offenses - As enacted, provides that when the victim of a sexually oriented crime is a minor, the consent of a parent or guardian is not required for the victim to receive a forensic medical examination. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 38 and Title 39.

SB 920 increases compensation for healthcare providers who perform forensic medical exams on sexual assault victims from $1,000 to $2,500 per exam, effective July 1, 2025. It also requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to complete DNA testing on sexual assault evidence kits within 120 days of receiving them from law enforcement, with written explanations for delays beyond that timeframe. The bill affects healthcare providers, law enforcement agencies, and the Bureau of Investigation by changing payment standards and establishing new timelines for evidence processing. Kits flagged for delay must be analyzed "within a reasonable time thereafter," and the bill clarifies that delays don't affect evidence admissibility. These changes apply to exams performed and kits received on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeIncreases compensation for forensic exams and mandates timely DNA testing on sexual assault evidence, improving victim support and evidence processing in criminal justice system.92% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases compensation for healthcare providers performing forensic exams (from $1k to $2.5k), directly funding a healthcare service for sexual assault victims.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Law Enforcement Victims' Rights Violent Crime

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 28, 2026

HB 427: Employees, Employers - As enacted, allows for eligible employees to be absent four weeks from work following a living organ donation surgery; requires the department of health to create living organ donor informational material and make such material available on the department's website. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 50; Title 56 and Title 68.

HB 427 provides 12 weeks of job-protected leave for eligible employees recovering from living organ donation surgery, including state workers with 12+ months of service and private-sector employees covered under federal FMLA rules. It prohibits insurers from denying or altering life, disability, or long-term care insurance coverage based solely on someone being a living organ donor. The bill also requires Tennessee's Department of Health to create and post public educational materials about living donation benefits, risks, and insurance impacts by July 2025. These provisions directly affect living organ donors, their employers, and insurance providers across Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurance denial based on donor status, mandates job-protected leave for organ donation recovery, and requires health department educational materials - directly advancing patient access and rights in healthcare.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentProvides 12 weeks job-protected leave for organ donation recovery and prohibits insurance discrimination based on donor status, directly advancing worker benefits and protections under employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Long-Term Care Paid Leave

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 17, 2026

HB 867: Women - As introduced, creates a pilot program to be administered by the bureau of TennCare to provide pregnant TennCare recipients improved maternal health care through remote patient monitoring for maternal hypertension and maternal diabetes. - Amends TCA Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 867 creates a pilot program for pregnant TennCare recipients with hypertension or diabetes, using remote patient monitoring to improve maternal health outcomes. The program requires technology vendors to provide devices that track blood pressure, glucose, and other health data, deliver devices directly to participants, and train them on use - ensuring functionality without broadband access. A nursing team and healthcare provider must monitor data, provide health coaching, and establish emergency protocols. The pilot aims to serve at least 300 participants across selected counties and must launch within 180 days of vendor contracts. The bill is currently pending review by the Finance, Ways, and Means Committee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates remote monitoring pilot for pregnant TennCare recipients with hypertension/diabetes to improve maternal health outcomes, directly advancing healthcare access and quality for vulnerable patients.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Telehealth Women's Health

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Jan 13, 2026

SB 165: Human Services, Dept. of - As introduced, increases the amount of funding the state is authorized to match local contributions for funding of human resource agencies. - Amends TCA Title 13, Chapter 26.

SB 165 updates Tennessee's funding formula for human resource agencies by increasing the state's maximum annual contribution to match local government funding. It sets new thresholds: for local assessments of 1-20 cents per capita, the state will match up to $295,000; for 21-30 cents, up to $340,000; and for 31+ cents, up to $370,000 annually. This directly affects local governments that fund human services through per capita assessments, allowing them to secure higher state funding based on their contribution levels. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 26, without changing eligibility requirements. The change aims to strengthen state-local partnerships in delivering human services to residents.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state matching funds for human services agencies, directly boosting government spending on essential programs through revised funding thresholds.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases state matching funds for human services agencies, directly expanding funding for healthcare-related programs under Tennessee's human services framework.95% confidence

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2025

HB 301: Housing - As introduced, authorizes local governments to regulate sober living homes for recovery from alcohol, drug, and substance abuse to the extent such regulation complies with the Fair Housing Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act, including prescribing a distance requirement for such homes from primary schools, preschools, and daycares, regulating the location and operation of such homes, and requiring that prospective residents receive a clinical referral for placement in a sober living home. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 13 and Title 33.

HB 301 would allow Tennessee local governments (counties, cities, and towns) to regulate sober living homes - residences for adults recovering from substance abuse without formal treatment services. The bill requires these homes to be located at least 1,000 feet from schools, preschools, or daycares and mandates that prospective residents receive a clinical referral from a licensed healthcare provider confirming their need for such housing. Local governments must ensure all regulations comply with federal fair housing and disability laws. This bill would directly affect how sober living homes operate, where they can be located, and who can reside there.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires clinical referrals from licensed healthcare providers for sober living home placement, strengthening healthcare integration in substance abuse recovery services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SB 58: Sunset Laws - As enacted, extends the Bureau of TennCare within the department of finance and administration to June 30, 2029. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 71.

SB 58 extends the existence of the Bureau of TennCare within Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration until June 30, 2029, preventing its automatic termination. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections 4-29-246 and 4-29-250 to formally establish the Bureau's continued operation under the Department of Finance and Administration. This change directly affects the administrative structure managing TennCare (the state's Medicaid program) by ensuring its ongoing oversight without requiring new legislation each year. The extension applies to the Bureau itself, not the TennCare program's eligibility or benefits for residents.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExtends TennCare (state Medicaid) operations until 2029, maintaining existing healthcare coverage structure without termination.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 372: TennCare - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Medicaid Modernization and Access Act of 2025," which aligns TennCare's current Medicaid reimbursement rates for obstetrics/gynecology, primary care, outpatient mental health, and substance use disorder treatment with the Medicare fee schedule or average commercial rates, whichever is higher. - Amends TCA Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 372, the "Tennessee Medicaid Modernization and Access Act of 2025," aligns TennCare’s reimbursement rates for key healthcare services - obstetrics/gynecology, primary care, outpatient mental health, and substance use disorder treatment - with either the Medicare fee schedule or average commercial rates in Tennessee, whichever is higher. This change directly affects healthcare providers who serve Medicaid patients and Medicaid beneficiaries, particularly in rural and underserved areas, by ensuring providers receive fairer compensation. The bill requires annual reviews to update rates based on Medicare or commercial benchmarks and mandates new annual reports on fiscal impacts and access improvements. It does not automatically appropriate funds but requires future budget allocations to cover implementation costs.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesIncreases state Medicaid spending by aligning provider reimbursement rates with higher Medicare/commercial benchmarks, funding essential healthcare access for underserved populations.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAligns TennCare reimbursement rates with higher Medicare/commercial rates, improving provider access and patient care for key services including mental health and substance use treatment in underserved areas.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Fees & Licensing Medicaid Medicare Primary Care

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failed · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2025

HB 1103: Education, Higher - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee for Tampons Act," which requires public institutions of higher education to provide feminine hygiene products in all women's and girl's bathrooms and locker rooms. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 7; Title 49, Chapter 8 and Title 49, Chapter 9.

HB 1103, the "Tennessee for Tampons Act," requires all public colleges and universities in Tennessee to provide free feminine hygiene products (like tampons and sanitary napkins) in every women's and girls' bathroom and locker room by July 1, 2025. It directly affects public higher education institutions and their students, aiming to address accessibility issues highlighted by student surveys. The bill mandates that schools collaborate with student governments and maintenance staff to administer and restock these products. This policy change ensures consistent access to essential hygiene items without requiring additional student funding or advocacy.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationMandates free feminine hygiene products in campus facilities to improve student accessibility, directly supporting educational access in higher education institutions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates free feminine hygiene products in public colleges, improving access to a health necessity (menstrual hygiene) and addressing health accessibility issues, aligning with healthcare support indicators.85% confidence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 8, 2025

SB 606: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As enacted, rewrites the fee limits for a party requesting a patient's medical record in either paper or electronic format from a provider or the provider's third-party release of information provider. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 606 (now Public Chapter 339) sets specific fee limits for copying medical records in Tennessee. It caps paper copy costs at $25 for 5 pages or less (50¢ per page after), and electronic copies at $5 for 10 pages or less (25¢ per page after). The bill directly affects patients, healthcare providers, and third-party record release companies by limiting charges for both paper and electronic records. Key provisions include flat $20 fees for certification/notarization and $20-$25 caps for radiology images, while ensuring records are provided electronically upon request unless not maintained digitally. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCaps medical record fees to improve patient access and reduce costs, directly supporting patient rights and access to healthcare information.92% confidence

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