Healthcare (Mental Health)

HB 1375 creates the "Tennessee Mental Health Volunteer Alliance," a statewide database of licensed mental health professionals who can volunteer to provide immediate mental health support at schools or public facilities following traumatic events like gun violence or disasters. Schools and public facilities can request specific mental health professionals through this system, with services provided pro bono (no cost to the requesting entity). The state allocates $250,000 annually to cover database administration, travel expenses (using federal mileage rates), and lodging for on-site services, with unused funds transferred to the School Safety Fund. This bill directly affects schools, mental health professionals, and state agencies managing the database and safety funding.

HB 677 requires psychologists and neuropsychologists to securely protect test materials and data from psychological evaluations to maintain test validity. It directly affects patients undergoing evaluations, psychologists, and mental health professionals by restricting access to test materials - only licensed psychologists or trained experts can view them, not patients or third parties. Key provisions ban third-party observers (like family or attorneys) during testing, prohibit audio/video recordings, and allow exceptions only for documented disabilities, language needs, minors with psychologist approval, or trainee supervision. The bill aims to prevent compromised test results that could impact high-stakes decisions like custody cases, medical treatments, or forensic evaluations.