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.
SB 437 requires most health insurance plans in Tennessee to cover mental health and substance abuse services through a specific integrated care model called the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (PCCM), effective July 1, 2025. This model involves primary care providers, care managers, and psychiatric consultants working together to coordinate patient treatment using validated tools and regular assessments. Insurance plans may deny coverage only if they comply with existing state and federal mental health parity laws (including the MHPAEA) and medical necessity standards. The requirement applies to TennCare and CoverKids programs when services are deemed medically necessary by program guidelines.
This is a resolution (not a binding bill), formally urging the U.S. Congress to enact legislation that would expand veterans' access to treatments for traumatic brain injury (TBI) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). It specifically references the Veterans' National Traumatic Injury Treatment Act (H.R. 3649), which would fund pilot programs for therapies like hyperbaric oxygen therapy alongside counseling. The resolution does not create new policy but requests Congress adopt such legislation to improve veteran care. It directly affects veterans with TBI or PTSD by advocating for broader treatment options.
SB 52 extends the operating authorization for Tennessee's Board of Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors until June 30, 2029. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29, and Title 68, Chapter 24, to remove an outdated reference and add the board's name to relevant sections. This procedural update ensures the board can continue its regulatory work without needing new legislation before 2029. The bill directly affects the board's ability to oversee alcohol and drug abuse counselor licensing and standards. It does not change the board's duties or create new requirements.
HB 651 prohibits health insurance companies and TennCare managed care organizations (MCOs) from including "all-products clauses" in contracts with healthcare providers. These clauses would force providers (like doctors, nurses, and physician assistants) to join multiple networks or offer services under other plans from the same insurer as a condition of participation. The bill makes such clauses void and imposes a $10,000 civil penalty per violation on insurers. It requires the insurance commissioner to create rules by July 2026 to enforce this prohibition, directly affecting provider contracts and network access.
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 70 requires TennCare health benefit plans (renewed or issued on or after July 1, 2025) to cover and reimburse biomarker testing for preeclampsia in pregnant women. This directly affects pregnant women enrolled in Tennessee's Medicaid program (TennCare) and the health insurance carriers providing their coverage. The bill mandates that testing must be ordered by a physician, conducted by the prenatal care provider using FDA-approved methods, and follow clinical guidelines. It also allows TennCare to create rules and seek federal approval to ensure Medicaid coverage for this testing.
HB 508 extends the refund period for Medicare supplement policies (Medigap) in Tennessee from 30 to 60 days after policy delivery. This change directly affects consumers who purchase these policies, giving them more time to review coverage and request a premium refund if unsatisfied. The bill requires all policies to include a clear notice about the 60-day refund window prominently on the first page. It will take effect January 1, 2026, for policies delivered on or after that date.
SJR 52 is a Senate Joint Resolution that formally reaffirms the Tennessee General Assembly's intent to prevent the criminalization of pregnancy outcomes. It states the legislature opposes using state laws to prosecute pregnant people, their friends, or family members for pregnancy loss, miscarriage, stillbirth, or abortion. The resolution highlights that Tennessee has the third-highest number of such criminal cases in the U.S. and notes that current laws disproportionately impact low-income residents and people of color. As a non-binding statement of legislative intent, it does not change existing laws but expresses the Assembly's position on this issue.
SB 489, the "Tennessee Medical Cannabis Act," would establish a regulated medical cannabis program for patients with qualifying conditions in Tennessee. It creates a Tennessee Medical Cannabis Program Commission to license and oversee cultivation, processing, and dispensing operations, requiring physician certifications for patients and setting up a tracking system from cultivation to sale. The bill defines medical cannabis (excluding hemp) and specifies qualifying conditions, while prohibiting smoking/vaping products and cannabis-infused foods like edibles until future rulemaking. It would directly affect Tennessee patients seeking medical cannabis, healthcare providers issuing certifications, and businesses applying for licenses to operate dispensaries or cultivation facilities. The bill remains pending after failing committee review in February 2025.
