Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · Tennessee · House Jan 20, 2026

HB 996: 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.

This bill would allow certain licensed psychologists in Tennessee to independently prescribe medications for mental health conditions after meeting specific training and certification requirements. It directly affects doctoral-level psychologists who complete a post-doctoral master's program in clinical psychopharmacology, pass a national prescribing exam, and complete a one-year fellowship with 100 patient evaluations under supervision. Key provisions require 450 patient contact hours in training, a master's degree covering neurosciences and pharmacology, and verification by the Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology. The board would issue an "advanced certificate to prescribe" for independent authority, expanding psychologists' scope to include prescribing psychotropic medications without physician oversight.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands mental health treatment access by granting prescribing authority to qualified psychologists, improving patient access to medication-based care without requiring psychiatrist oversight.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 29, 2025

HB 960: Health, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to collaborate with an organization in this state to create or identify a continuing education program to provide healthcare professionals with information or training relative to maternal mental health disorders. - Amends TCA Title 63.

HB 960 requires Tennessee's medical, osteopathic, and psychology licensing boards to develop and offer an optional continuing education course on maternal mental health. This affects physicians specializing in obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, or psychiatry, as well as certain psychologists. The course must cover screening practices, types of maternal mental health disorders, effective treatment options (including patient involvement in care plans), and when to consult a specialist versus making a referral. Successful completion of this course counts toward required continuing education for license renewal.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mandatory maternal mental health training for healthcare professionals, improving care standards and access to specialized treatment options.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 4, 2025

HB 1169: Children - As enacted, requires on or before June 30, 2026, and each June 30 thereafter, the council on children's mental health care to submit a report to certain officials regarding the status of the statewide system of care for children's mental health and the service delivery system and the status of children's mental health in this state. - Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 3.

HB 1169 requires Tennessee's Council on Children's Mental Health to submit annual reports starting June 30, 2026, detailing the statewide mental health system for children. The reports must cover current services (including state/federal programs), gaps in care, and recommendations for better coordination between agencies. The council must gather input from relevant departments (mental health, education, health, etc.) to create a comprehensive overview. These reports will be shared with the governor, legislative leaders, and agency heads. The bill, effective March 28, 2025, updates existing law to ensure regular oversight of children's mental health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual reports to assess and improve children's mental health services, identifying gaps and recommending better coordination between agencies to strengthen the system.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 29, 2025

SB 849: Health, Dept. of - As enacted, requires the department to collaborate with an organization in this state to create or identify a continuing education program to provide healthcare professionals with information or training relative to maternal mental health disorders. - Amends TCA Title 63.

SB 849 requires Tennessee medical and osteopathic boards to create an optional continuing education course on maternal mental health for healthcare professionals. It directly affects physicians specializing in obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatry, as well as certain psychologists. The course must cover screening practices, types of maternal mental health disorders, evidence-based treatments, and when to consult a psychiatrist. Boards must update the curriculum periodically to reflect new research and accept course completion as credit toward required continuing education.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates continuing education on maternal mental health for healthcare providers, directly advancing mental health services training per bill's requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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 4, 2025

SB 1342: Children - As enacted, requires on or before June 30, 2026, and each June 30 thereafter, the council on children's mental health care to submit a report to certain officials regarding the status of the statewide system of care for children's mental health and the service delivery system and the status of children's mental health in this state. - Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 3.

SB 1342 requires Tennessee's Council on Children's Mental Health Care to submit annual reports starting June 30, 2026, detailing the status of the state's children's mental health system and service delivery. The reports must include a current list of all state and federally funded mental health programs for children, along with recommendations for improving coordination between agencies and addressing treatment gaps. The council must share these reports with the governor, state agency commissioners, and legislative leaders. This bill does not create new programs but mandates regular, comprehensive assessments to inform state-level decision-making on children's mental health services.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual reports to assess children's mental health system, improve coordination, and address treatment gaps, directly strengthening mental health service oversight and delivery.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 26, 2025

SB 1122: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, creates the temporary youth mental health service program. - Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 49.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates free youth mental health program using existing funds, expands access to services, and mandates confidentiality - directly strengthens mental health care access for minors.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 30, 2025

HB 654: Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, revises certain protocols for mental health and substance abuse services. - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 71.

HB 654 requires most Tennessee health insurance plans (including TennCare and CoverKids) to cover mental health and substance abuse services through a specific integrated care model called the Psychiatric Collaborative Care Model (PCCM), starting July 1, 2025. This model involves primary care providers, care managers, and psychiatric consultants working together to coordinate treatment using validated tools. Insurers may only deny coverage for these services based on medical necessity if they already comply with existing state and federal parity laws. The law directly affects insurers, healthcare providers, and patients seeking mental health/substance abuse treatment covered by these plans.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for mental health/substance abuse services via integrated care model, expanding access and coordination under TennCare/CoverKids.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

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