Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

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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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 1239: 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.

HB 1239 clarifies that only physicians licensed in Tennessee may prescribe buprenorphine for FDA-approved uses in opioid recovery or medication-assisted treatment. It also establishes new requirements for non-Tennessee-licensed healthcare providers (such as those working in correctional facilities) to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder: they must hold a federal DEA registration, be employed by or contract with a correctional facility or jail, and have clinical protocols for medication-assisted treatment. The bill revises existing law to limit prescribing authority while creating specific pathways for correctional healthcare providers. It takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeEnables medication-assisted treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, supporting rehabilitation within criminal justice system90% confidence ✗ HealthcareOpposes HealthcareRestricts prescribing authority to Tennessee-licensed physicians only, adding barriers for non-physician providers in correctional settings, limiting access to medication-assisted treatment.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1200: Veterans Services, Dept. of - As introduced, allocates 1 percent of the revenue from sports gaming in this state to the department to be used to support veterans services in this state. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 49; Title 58; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 1200 allocates 1% of revenue generated from sports gaming in Tennessee to the Department of Veterans Services starting July 1, 2025. This funding directly supports state veterans services programs, including counseling, housing assistance, and other support initiatives for veterans. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections to redirect this specific portion of sports gaming revenue to the veterans department. It does not change existing allocations for other services, such as the 4% currently dedicated to mental health and substance abuse services.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesRedirects 1% of sports gaming revenue to fund veterans services, supporting essential programs without tax increases or defunding.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates sports gaming revenue to veterans services including counseling and support initiatives, directly funding mental health and healthcare programs for veterans.85% confidence ✓ HousingSupports HousingBill explicitly allocates sports gaming revenue for veterans' housing assistance, directly funding a housing program as part of veterans services.90% confidence ✓ VeteransSupports VeteransAllocates 1% of sports gaming revenue to fund veterans services including counseling and housing assistance, directly advancing state veterans programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse Veteran Housing

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 12, 2025

SB 1199: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, adds legislative librarian to the list the department of mental health and substance abuse services must submit its quarterly report to on the implementation and impact of available suitable accommodations, including the number and length of any delayed admissions, in state-owned or -operated hospitals or treatment resources. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 16; Title 17; Title 18; Title 20; Title 21; Title 24; Title 29; Title 30; Title 32; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 1199 requires the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to include the legislative librarian as a recipient of its quarterly reports. These reports detail the implementation of accommodations, delayed admissions, and facility operations in state hospitals and treatment centers. The bill amends existing reporting requirements without changing service standards or funding. It directly affects the department’s reporting process by adding a new recipient for transparency purposes. The legislation is procedural, focusing solely on report distribution.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds legislative librarian to mental health reporting, enhancing oversight of accommodations and admission delays to improve service transparency and accountability.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 3, 2025

SJR 346: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Supports regulation or ban on the sale of Kratom in Tennessee. -

SJR 346 is a non-binding legislative resolution expressing the Tennessee General Assembly's support for regulating or banning Kratom sales within the state. It directly affects convenience stores and retailers selling Kratom products (sold as capsules, powders, or liquids), as well as consumers who purchase it as an unregulated "herbal supplement." The resolution cites health risks including over 2,000 national overdose deaths linked to Kratom, lack of safety labeling, and a specific case of a young man’s fatal overdose involving Kratom. It urges Tennessee to adopt stricter controls or an outright ban, aligning with actions taken by other states and countries that have classified Kratom as a controlled substance.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCites health risks including 2,000+ overdose deaths and lack of safety labeling, supporting public health regulation of Kratom as a health risk.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 28, 2025

HB 37: 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.

HB 37 requires insurers offering health plans to Tennessee state employees to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications equally with opioids on their preferred drug lists (PDL). It prohibits insurers from discouraging coverage for non-opioid options used for pain management, though it allows insurers to prefer one opioid over another or one non-opioid over another. This applies specifically to state employee group insurance plans covered under Tennessee Code Annotated sections 56-7-3801 to 56-7-3803. The law, effective January 1, 2026, aims to expand access to non-opioid pain treatments without mandating their preference.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires insurers to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain meds equally with opioids in state employee plans, improving patient access to alternatives and reducing opioid reliance.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Substance Abuse

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 30, 2025

SB 437: Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, revises certain protocols for mental health and substance abuse services. - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 71.

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.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates insurance coverage for mental health/substance abuse via PCCM, expanding access and support per bill requirements.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 1354: 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.

SB 1354 directs Tennessee's Department of Mental Health to create and implement a suicide prevention program. The program must include community-based prevention, support for individuals who have attempted suicide, partnerships with local organizations, research on suicide rates across diverse groups, strategies to reduce access to lethal means, and postvention support for affected families. The department must annually report to health committees on the program's progress and research findings by January 1. This bill affects all Tennessee residents by requiring state-level action on suicide prevention services, with implementation beginning in 2025.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareDirects creation of suicide prevention program requiring community services, research, and annual health committee reports, advancing mental health care access and funding.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 12, 2025

HB 464: 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.

HB 464 removes a restriction in Tennessee law that previously limited legal immunity from arrest or prosecution for drug overdose to only the first overdose. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-156 and related provisions to ensure immunity applies to all subsequent overdoses when seeking help. This directly affects individuals experiencing drug overdoses who contact emergency services, as they will no longer face legal consequences for prior overdoses. The key change eliminates the "first overdose" limitation, providing consistent legal protection regardless of how many overdoses occur. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRemoves legal barriers for overdose victims seeking help, expanding immunity to all overdoses to encourage emergency assistance without fear of prosecution.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves legal barriers preventing overdose victims from seeking emergency help, directly improving access to healthcare services and protecting patient rights during medical crises.92% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Substance Abuse

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