SB 2510, the "Maternal Health Care Protection Act," prohibits healthcare providers, institutions, and payers from refusing to provide or pay for pregnancy-related care based on conscience objections. It directly affects medical professionals, hospitals, and insurance companies by requiring them to offer services like emergency care, diagnosis of pregnancy complications, and standard obstetric care within their professional scope. The bill amends Tennessee law to remove existing conscience exemptions for these specific services, ensuring providers cannot deny care due to personal beliefs. This applies to all pregnant patients, defined as individuals who are pregnant or reasonably believed to be pregnant, regardless of gestational age.
HB 2351 updates Tennessee's medication aide certification rules to allow nursing students in good standing enrolled in approved nursing programs to qualify for certification without prior work experience as a nurse aide or occupational therapy assistant. To qualify, students must complete required coursework in medication administration, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with passing grades. This change directly affects nursing students seeking early career opportunities and healthcare facilities needing medication aides. The bill also adds new requirements for training program timelines (14-90 days) and exam pass rate calculations.
SB 2544 creates the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact" to allow licensed respiratory therapists from one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining a new license. This directly affects respiratory therapists seeking to work across state lines, particularly military families relocating and those addressing workforce shortages in healthcare. The bill establishes standardized rules for license recognition, background checks, and disciplinary actions across member states while preserving each state's authority to protect public health. It aims to increase access to respiratory therapy services and streamline administrative processes for both therapists and states.
HB 2196 authorizes Putnam County and its incorporated cities (with specific population ranges) to regulate sober living homes for substance abuse recovery, provided rules comply with the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill amends Tennessee law to define eligible local governments based on 2020 census population thresholds (county: 366,200-366,300; cities: 79,800-79,900). It directly affects sober living homes operating in Putnam County and its cities by establishing their regulatory framework. The key provision ensures local regulations cannot violate federal civil rights protections for residents seeking recovery housing.
HB 2461 exempts feminine hygiene products (like tampons and sanitary napkins) from Tennessee's sales and use tax, effective July 2026. It also requires the state education department to provide these products for free in public schools upon request by school administrators or boards. The bill defines "feminine hygiene products" as items used during menstruation and clarifies they include common products like tampons and pads. This policy directly affects students in public schools and consumers purchasing these items.
HB 2092 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to launch a public outreach campaign about Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease research, using print, radio, social media, and other materials. The campaign must include a toll-free hotline for individuals to report diagnoses or donate to research, with specific funding categories covering data portals, community outreach, materials, and evaluation. It mandates the campaign run until July 1, 2027, and takes effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects individuals with this rare neurological condition and the Department of Health, which must implement these specific outreach mechanisms.
HB 2572 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to publish on its website the inspection criteria pain management clinics must follow for compliance. It also mandates that the Department publicly post the criteria used to identify "high-risk" prescribers (those with high patient overdose rates) and establishes a process for removing this designation after prescribers complete required training. The bill exempts pain management specialists from the high-risk prescriber identification process and changes clinic reporting requirements from weekly to quarterly. These provisions increase transparency for clinics and prescribers while updating regulatory procedures.
HB 2295 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to study creating a program allowing doctors who graduated from medical school and passed the U.S. Medical Licensing Exam (but haven't completed residency) to provide care under supervision. The report must assess the feasibility of this "graduate physician licensure program" by January 1, 2027, detailing how such physicians could work within a continuous supervision agreement with licensed doctors. It directly affects physicians without accredited residency training who wish to practice in Tennessee. The bill mandates this study to inform future legislative decisions, but does not create the program or change current licensure requirements.
SB 2571 allows Tennessee residents with a qualifying medical condition to legally possess cannabis obtained directly from a licensed physician. It criminalizes unauthorized possession: possessing ≤1 ounce is a Class A misdemeanor with a $100 fine max or 10 hours community service (no jail), while larger amounts face escalating fines and potential jail time (up to 6 months for repeat offenses over 1 ounce). The bill specifically targets non-medical cannabis use, setting penalties based on quantity without jail for small amounts. It directly affects residents seeking medical cannabis access versus those using cannabis without a physician's authorization.
House Joint Resolution 908 designates March 4, 2026, as HPV Awareness Day in Tennessee to raise public awareness about human papillomavirus (HPV) and the importance of vaccination for preventing HPV-related cancers. The resolution highlights that HPV is a common virus linked to cervical and oropharyngeal cancers - which occur at higher rates in Tennessee than the national average - and notes that vaccination coverage remains below optimal levels despite being recommended for ages 9-26. As a symbolic commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or requirements but aims to support public health efforts by drawing attention to existing prevention programs like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's HPV Cancer Prevention Program. This resolution serves as a non-binding recognition to encourage broader discussion about HPV vaccination and cancer prevention strategies.
