Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 1349: Drugs, Prescription - As enacted, requires a county medical examiner to test for, and obtain certain information concerning, the presence of any drugs in a decedent in certain situations; requires the health science center to conduct certain studies regarding drug interactions and submit quarterly reports to the general assembly. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1349 requires county medical examiners to test decedents involved in mass shootings resulting in four or more deaths for psychotropic drugs (medications treating mental health conditions or affecting mood/behavior). It mandates that examiners share anonymized drug data - without identifying information - to the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and the Department of Health. The Health Science Center must study drug interactions and submit quarterly reports to legislative committees on this data. This bill directly affects medical examiners, health agencies, and the research conducted on drug-related incidents in Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates study of psychotropic drug interactions to inform mental health policies, supporting data-driven healthcare improvements through research on drug effects.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

signed · Tennessee · House May 27, 2025

HB 641: Public Funds and Financing - As enacted, enacts the "Savannah Grace Copeland Act." - Amends TCA Title 9; Title 12; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 49.

HB 641, the "Savannah Grace Copeland Act," requires Tennessee to increase funding for child advocacy centers whenever state funding for child protective services grows. Specifically, it mandates that 75% of any increase in child protective services funding must be allocated to child advocacy center contracts starting July 2026. The bill sets specific base funding amounts: $127,855.98 for full centers and $85,000 per forensic interviewer. These centers, which serve over 32,000 children annually with services like forensic interviews and mental health support, directly benefit from this policy change. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, but requires separate annual appropriations to implement the funding adjustments.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesMandates 75% of increased child protective services funding be allocated to child advocacy centers, directly advancing public service funding under Budget & Taxes.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates 75% of increased child protective services funding for child advocacy centers serving 32k+ children annually, which provide medical/mental health evaluations per TCA Title 37 (healthcare services).92% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

died · Tennessee · House May 13, 2025

HB 1360: Child Abuse - As enacted, expands the definition of child abuse to include a person under the age of 18 witnessing either the abuse of another child in the person's immediate family or household or domestic abuse of a member of the person's immediate family or household; specifies that reunification between a parent and a child placed in foster care due to abuse must not occur unless the parent has complied with the parent's statement of responsibilities in the permanency plan and the child has received mental health counseling. - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 37 and Title 39.

HB 1360 expands Tennessee's definition of child abuse to include minors under 18 who witness abuse of another child or domestic violence within their immediate family or household. It directly affects children in foster care due to abuse by requiring two specific conditions before reunification with a parent: the parent must complete their responsibilities in the permanency plan, and the child must receive mental health counseling. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 37-1-102 (defining abuse) and adds a new provision to Title 37 governing foster care reunification. These changes create concrete requirements for family reunification processes, focusing on parental accountability and child mental health support.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates mental health counseling for children in foster care due to abuse, directly advancing mental health services as part of healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

failed · Tennessee · House Mar 18, 2025

HB 1212: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, creates the temporary youth mental health service program. - Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 49.

HB 1212 establishes a temporary program to improve access to mental health and substance use disorder services for Tennessee youth under 18. The program creates a web-based portal for age-appropriate mental health screenings, connects youth with providers for in-person or telehealth sessions, and reimburses providers for up to three initial sessions per youth using existing K-12 mental health funds. Providers must offer at least three sessions per youth to qualify for reimbursement, and the Department of Mental Health must run a public awareness campaign involving schools and community groups. The program expires on July 1, 2026, requiring a final report to health committees on service usage and outcomes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates temporary youth mental health program with web portal, provider reimbursement for initial sessions, and expands access to services using existing funds, directly advancing mental health care access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Telehealth

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 13, 2025

SB 1241: Child Abuse - As enacted, expands the definition of child abuse to include a person under the age of 18 witnessing either the abuse of another child in the person's immediate family or household or domestic abuse of a member of the person's immediate family or household; specifies that reunification between a parent and a child placed in foster care due to abuse must not occur unless the parent has complied with the parent's statement of responsibilities in the permanency plan and the child has received mental health counseling. - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 37 and Title 39.

SB 1241 expands Tennessee's definition of child abuse to include children under 18 who witness another child being abused in their household or domestic violence against a family member in their home. This change directly affects minors in households experiencing abuse, as it now classifies their exposure as abuse under state law. The bill also requires that children placed in foster care due to abuse cannot be reunited with parents unless the parent follows their court-ordered plan and the child receives mental health counseling. These provisions apply to cases handled under Tennessee's child welfare system, specifically in Title 37 (child protective services) and related statutes.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates mental health counseling for children in foster care due to abuse, directly advancing mental health services under healthcare policy.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2025

SB 450: Public Funds and Financing - As enacted, enacts the "Savannah Grace Copeland Act." - Amends TCA Title 9; Title 12; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 49.

SB 450, the "Savannah Grace Copeland Act," increases funding for Tennessee's child advocacy centers, which serve abused and neglected children across all judicial districts. It requires that any future funding increase for the Department of Children's Services' child protective services must include a 75% corresponding increase for child advocacy center contracts. The bill sets new base contract amounts: $127,855.98 for full centers and $85,000 per forensic child interviewer. These changes take effect July 1, 2025, but require separate legislative appropriations to be implemented. The bill addresses decades of stagnant funding, aiming to support centers that served over 32,000 children in 2024 with forensic interviews, medical exams, and mental health services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill mandates 75% funding increase for child advocacy centers alongside DCS funding, directly increasing public service spending as required by law.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIncreases funding for child advocacy centers providing medical/mental health services to abused children, directly advancing healthcare access for vulnerable populations.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 1146: Drugs, Prescription - As enacted, requires a county medical examiner to test for, and obtain certain information concerning, the presence of any drugs in a decedent in certain situations; requires the health science center to conduct certain studies regarding drug interactions and submit quarterly reports to the general assembly. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 1146 requires county medical examiners to test decedents involved in mass shootings (resulting in four or more deaths) for all drugs, including psychotropic medications used for mental health conditions. It mandates anonymized data sharing with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and the Department of Health, prohibiting disclosure of identifying information. The health science center must study drug interactions and submit quarterly reports to legislative health committees. The law, effective July 1, 2025, applies to medical examiners, health agencies, and the University of Tennessee, while requiring compliance with privacy laws.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates testing for psychotropic drugs (mental health medications) in mass shooting decedents and requires health science center to study drug interactions, advancing public health research on mental health and drug safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1094: Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, enacts the "Suicide Prevention Act of 2025," requiring the Tennessee bureau of investigation to establish a program in which a person may enroll to voluntarily waive the right to purchase firearms. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

SB 1094, the "Suicide Prevention Act of 2025," creates a voluntary program allowing Tennessee residents to temporarily waive their right to purchase firearms. It directly affects individuals who are either hospitalized for mental health treatment or personally concerned about their mental health. To enroll, participants submit a form to their local court clerk, which triggers the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) and Department of Safety to block firearm purchases until the waiver is revoked. Participants can cancel the waiver after 14 days by submitting a revocation form, after which firearm access resumes (unless other legal restrictions apply). The program includes an optional feature where participants can designate "guardian angels" (trusted contacts) to be notified if they revoke the waiver.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill creates voluntary firearm waiver for mental health crisis prevention, directly supporting suicide prevention as a mental health service.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 364: Local Education Agencies - As introduced, repeals the "Tennessee Community Schools Act"; enacts the "Tennessee Full Service Community Schools Act." - Amends TCA Title 49.

SB 364 replaces Tennessee's "Community Schools Act" with the "Tennessee Full Service Community Schools Act." It creates a new framework where local school districts (LEAs) partner with community organizations to integrate services like health care, mental health support, and family engagement into schools. The bill establishes a grant program administered by the University of Tennessee starting in 2026, requiring LEAs to form formal partnerships with community partners and demonstrate long-term sustainability to receive funding. This directly affects school districts, community organizations, and students/families by mandating coordinated access to educational, health, and social services through schools.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationReplaces outdated act with new framework integrating health/services via partnerships & UT grant program, enhancing student support beyond traditional education.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareIntegrates health care and mental health services into schools via community partnerships, expanding access to healthcare services through new grant program.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Higher Education Student Health Mental Health

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 911: 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.

SB 911 would allow licensed doctoral-level psychologists in Tennessee to prescribe certain medications (like those for mental health conditions) after meeting specific requirements. It directly affects psychologists who complete a post-doctoral master's program in psychopharmacology (including 450 patient contact hours), pass a national exam, and complete a 1-year supervised fellowship treating 100+ patients. The bill creates two certification levels: an "initial certificate" requiring physician supervision and an "advanced certificate" for independent prescribing, both administered by the state psychology board. This bill is currently under review by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and has not yet become law.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health access by allowing certified psychologists to prescribe medications, improving patient access to care without physician referral for mental health conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track