Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 8, 2025

SB 619: Health Care - As enacted, allows a healthcare provider to petition a relevant board after completing a peer assistance or treatment program contract to remove information from the public-facing licensure verification website regarding the adverse action and the order by the relevant board after five years from the completion date of that program or contract indicated in such order; authorizes the division of health related boards to promulgate rules to effectuate such petition process. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 619 allows licensed healthcare providers in Tennessee who completed a peer assistance or treatment program following a disciplinary action (like a consent order) to petition their licensing board to remove public records about that action after 10 years. The bill requires the relevant board to review and approve such petitions before removing the information from public licensing websites. It also authorizes Tennessee's Division of Health Related Boards to create rules for implementing this process, following standard administrative procedures. This change directly affects healthcare providers seeking to have past disciplinary records removed from public view after meeting the 10-year waiting period.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllows healthcare providers to petition for removal of public disciplinary records after 10 years, reducing stigma and supporting provider rehabilitation in healthcare system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Substance Abuse

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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 Apr 28, 2025

SB 421: Opioids - As enacted, clarifies that a physician licensed in this state is the only healthcare provider authorized to prescribe a buprenorphine product for a FDA-approved use in recovery or medication-assisted treatment; revises criteria for providers not licensed in this state to prescribe a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 41; Title 53 and Title 63.

This bill restricts buprenorphine prescriptions for opioid addiction treatment to Tennessee-licensed physicians only. It creates a limited exception allowing out-of-state healthcare providers working in state or county jails to prescribe under strict conditions: requiring DEA registration, employment at correctional facilities, and adherence to approved treatment protocols. The law takes effect July 1, 2025. It directly affects prescribing practices in correctional facilities and general medical settings by clarifying who may legally prescribe these medications.

Topics ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts buprenorphine prescribing to Tennessee-licensed physicians only, limiting provider access for opioid treatment and restricting patient options beyond narrow jail exceptions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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signed · Tennessee · House May 5, 2025

HJR 100: Memorials, Government Officials - Urges the Tennessee opioid abatement council and each participating county to allocate 25 percent of approved expenditures from the opioid abatement fund to initiatives that distribute and promote overdose reversal medications. -

HJR 100 is a resolution urging Tennessee’s opioid abatement council and participating counties to allocate at least 25% of opioid settlement fund expenditures toward distributing and promoting overdose reversal medications like Narcan. It directly affects the state’s opioid abatement council and counties that joined the opioid settlement agreement. The resolution requires these entities to prioritize funding for initiatives that save lives through medication access, rather than other uses of the fund. This is a non-binding recommendation, not a new law, aimed at accelerating reductions in overdose deaths.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects 25% opioid settlement funds to distribute overdose reversal meds (Narcan), improving public health access to life-saving treatment.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1418: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Mental Health Volunteer Alliance Act." - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 1418 establishes the "Tennessee Mental Health Volunteer Alliance Act," creating a statewide database of licensed mental health professionals who can volunteer to provide free counseling services at schools or public facilities within 24 hours after a traumatic event like a school shooting or disaster. The Department of Mental Health manages the database, verifies professional credentials, and coordinates volunteer requests submitted by school officials specifying their needs. The bill allocates $250,000 annually for database operations, travel reimbursement at federal rates, and unspent funds roll over to the School Safety Fund for purchasing safety equipment. This directly affects schools, students, and staff by enabling rapid mental health support after crises, while mental health professionals gain a structured pathway to volunteer.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates statewide database for mental health volunteers to provide free counseling post-crisis, improving access to mental health services per bill's core purpose.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 17, 2026

HB 1400: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, directs the department to develop and implement a suicide prevention program; requires the department to submit a report to legislative committees with jurisdiction over health-related matters on this program and any suggestions from the department based upon the research conducted from the previous calendar year. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1400 directs Tennessee's Department of Mental Health to create and implement a suicide prevention program. The program must include community-based prevention efforts, support for individuals who have attempted suicide, research on suicide rates across diverse groups, strategies to reduce access to dangerous methods, and postvention support for affected families. The department must submit an annual report to health committees detailing the program's progress and research findings. This bill directly affects the Department of Mental Health and aims to improve statewide suicide prevention services through structured community partnerships and data-driven approaches.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects creation of suicide prevention program requiring community-based efforts, research, and annual reports to strengthen mental health services per bill's explicit language.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 19, 2025

HB 1291: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, requires health insurance carriers to provide mental health coverage in parity with alcoholism and drug dependence coverage. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 1291 requires Tennessee health insurance carriers to cover mental health services at the same level as coverage for alcoholism and drug dependence. This means insurance plans must provide equal benefits, coverage, and reimbursement rates for mental health treatment compared to substance use disorder treatment. The bill also mandates that insurers include clear explanations of this equal coverage in plan materials. It applies to all health insurance plans issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates parity in mental health coverage with substance use disorder, expanding access to mental health services under insurance plans.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates equal mental health coverage parity with substance use disorder, expanding worker health benefits and aligning with labor protections for comprehensive workplace wellness.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 28, 2025

SB 428: Opioids - As enacted, authorizes an insurer, for purposes of group insurance plans offered to state employees, to adopt or amend a state preferred drug list (PDL); requires the insurer to ensure that a non-opioid drug approved by the U.S. food and drug administration for the treatment or management of pain is not disadvantaged or discouraged with respect to coverage relative to an opioid or narcotic drug for the treatment or management of pain on the PDL. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 428 requires insurers offering health insurance plans to Tennessee state employees to treat non-opioid pain medications (FDA-approved for pain treatment) equally with opioids on their preferred drug list, ensuring they are not disadvantaged in coverage or discouraged. It also mandates separate reimbursement for healthcare providers and hospitals when non-opioid pain treatments are provided to covered employees. The law applies immediately upon FDA approval of a non-opioid drug and takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects insurers and state employee health plans under Tennessee Code.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates equal coverage for FDA-approved non-opioid pain treatments vs opioids, expanding patient access to safer alternatives and reducing opioid dependency in healthcare coverage.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 661: Criminal Offenses - As introduced, enacts the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act." - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

HB 661, the "Comprehensive Assault Crime Intervention Act," requires judges to mandate counseling for individuals convicted of assault offenses. It specifies that defendants must complete certified batterer's intervention programs (minimum 26 weeks, 3 hours per session, with a 6:1 participant-to-counselor ratio) or substance abuse treatment as part of sentencing. The bill also mandates annual 12+ hour domestic violence training for judges and court staff. These provisions directly affect assault defendants and court personnel, focusing on rehabilitation and consistent judicial handling of domestic violence-related cases.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates batterer's intervention programs and domestic violence training to promote rehabilitation, reduce recidivism, and strengthen judicial oversight in assault cases.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates substance abuse treatment and batterer's intervention counseling as sentencing requirements, advancing healthcare access for offenders through court-ordered services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts Domestic Violence Violent Crime Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2025

SB 465: Drugs, Synthetic or Analogue - As introduced, removes the limitation that a person who is experiencing a drug overdose only has immunity from being arrested, charged, or prosecuted on the first drug overdose. - Amends TCA Title 50; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68.

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.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves first-overdose limitation, expanding immunity for seeking help during multiple overdoses - reduces criminalization of drug users and promotes public health approach to overdose response.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves legal barriers to seeking emergency care for drug overdoses, improving access to healthcare services and protecting individuals from prosecution when seeking help.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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