SB 465 removes a restriction in Tennessee law that previously limited legal immunity from arrest or charges for people experiencing drug overdoses to only their *first* overdose. The bill amends Tennessee Code §63-1-156(b) to allow immunity for subsequent overdoses if the person seeks emergency help. This directly affects individuals experiencing drug overdoses who contact emergency services, as they would no longer face arrest or prosecution for drug offenses during multiple overdose events. The key change is extending the existing immunity protection beyond the initial overdose, while maintaining the requirement to cooperate with emergency responders.
HB 1318 extends Tennessee's Access Tennessee health insurance program, which provides coverage to low-income residents, by changing its expiration date from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030. This amendment directly affects qualifying Tennessee residents who rely on the program for health coverage, ensuring continued access through 2030. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Section 56-7-2916 to reflect the new end date without altering program eligibility or benefits. It is a straightforward extension of an existing state program, not a new policy. The bill became law as Public Chapter 185 on April 30, 2025.
HB 1074 removes two notification requirements related to prior authorization for healthcare services in Tennessee. It eliminates the obligation for healthcare providers to inform patients when communicating with insurers about missing information for prior authorization requests, and it removes the requirement for utilization review organizations to notify patients when providers fail to submit needed information within seven days. The bill directly affects patients, healthcare providers, and insurance entities by changing communication protocols during the prior authorization process. These changes amend Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-171(b) and 56-6-705(a), effective upon becoming law (Public Chapter 125, enacted April 8, 2025).
SB 852 extends the timeframe for physicians to remove non-compete restrictions from 10 to 30 business days when a dispute arises over the fair market value of a practice during a repurchase attempt. It directly affects physicians and healthcare employers in Tennessee by giving physicians more time to resolve valuation disagreements. The bill requires employers to accept a payment equal to the physician's original sale price to lift practice restrictions after the 30-day period. This change modifies Tennessee law under Titles 63 and 68 of the state code regarding healthcare provider agreements. The bill is currently pending before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.
HB 229 extends the Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors' authority until June 30, 2029, by amending Tennessee Code Sections 4-29-246 and 4-29-250. This change removes the board's previous expiration date, allowing it to continue overseeing licensing standards for alcohol and drug counselors. The board, established under Title 68, Chapter 24, will now operate without sunset provisions until the new date.
SB 1122 establishes Tennessee's temporary youth mental health service program, providing free mental health and substance use disorder services to youth under 18. The program uses a state-developed portal for age-appropriate screenings and connects youth with providers for up to three initial sessions (with possible additional sessions), reimbursing providers through existing K-12 mental health funds. It requires providers to maintain client confidentiality and mandates a statewide outreach campaign involving schools and community organizations. The program expires on July 1, 2026, with the department required to report service statistics by that date.
SB 1039 requires healthcare facilities in Tennessee to obtain clear written and verbal consent before testing pregnant individuals, those under one year postpartum, or newborns for drugs or alcohol. The consent must explain the medical purpose, confidentiality, and potential legal consequences (including possible reporting to child services), while ensuring no coercion. Emergency testing without consent is permitted only if immediate treatment is needed to avoid harm. The bill also prohibits refusing medical care due to a patient's refusal of testing and takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 9 removes existing restrictions that prevented hospitals and certain healthcare facilities from directly employing radiologists, pathologists, anesthesiologists, and emergency physicians. The bill amends Tennessee law (specifically Titles 47, 63, and 68) to delete provisions that previously barred such direct employment or limited it to specific arrangements. This change allows hospitals to hire these specialists directly or through third-party agreements, without requiring them to maintain prior employment structures. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.
HB 693 eliminates a requirement that could force insured patients to pay administrative fees for pharmacist-provided hormonal contraceptives when their pharmacy benefit already covers the cost. The bill directly affects insured patients using pharmacy benefits for hormonal contraceptives and pharmacists who dispense these medications. Key provisions amend Tennessee law to change language from "shall prohibit" to "must not prohibit" fees, ensuring patients cannot be charged extra for covered contraceptives. This change applies to all pharmacists authorized under Tennessee law who provide hormonal contraceptives to insured patients. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 569 prevents pharmacies from charging administrative fees for hormonal contraceptives when a patient's insurance covers the cost and includes pharmacy benefits. It directly affects insured patients seeking hormonal contraceptives and pharmacists who previously might have charged such fees. The bill amends Tennessee law to remove language allowing pharmacies to require these fees, ensuring patients covered by insurance do not face additional costs. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all pharmacies in Tennessee.
