Healthcare

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 26, 2026

SB 2579: Dieticians and Nutritionists - As enacted, enacts the "Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act." - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 63.

SB 2579, the "Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act," establishes new licensure requirements for dietitians and nutritionists in Tennessee, replacing current standards. It defines key terms like "medical nutrition therapy" (for treating health conditions) versus "general non-medical nutrition information," and creates distinctions between "complex" (high-acuity medical cases) and "non-complex" care. The bill expands the governing board from five to nine members and sets minimum education and competency standards for licensed practitioners. This directly affects dietitians, nutritionists, and the public seeking these services, clarifying who can provide medical nutrition care versus general dietary advice.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEstablishes clearer licensure standards for dietitians/nutritionists, defines medical vs. non-medical services, and expands oversight to ensure qualified care for patients.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2169: Public Defenders - As introduced, creates five additional social worker positions in the public defender system. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 14 and Title 9, Chapter 4.

SB 2169 creates five new social worker positions within Tennessee's public defender offices, effective July 1, 2026. These positions will directly support public defender systems statewide by adding social work resources to assist clients, particularly those with mental health or social service needs. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 14, and Title 9, Chapter 4, to formalize these staffing changes without altering legal procedures or case outcomes. It focuses solely on expanding support staff capacity within existing public defense services.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeAdds social worker positions to public defender system to assist clients with mental health/social needs, enhancing defendant support and rehabilitation resources within criminal justice framework.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAdds social workers to address mental health needs within public defender system, directly supporting mental health services per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 18, 2026

SB 2675: Children - As introduced, exempts a school social worker, licensed by the state board of education, who provides preventative and developmental counseling, from having to obtain the consent of a parent of a minor prior to rendering such services. - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 8; Title 49 and Title 63, Chapter 1.

SB 2675 exempts licensed school social workers in Tennessee from needing parental consent to provide preventative and developmental counseling to minors. The bill directly affects school social workers (licensed by the state board of education) and the students they serve in public schools. It amends Tennessee law to remove the requirement for parental consent specifically for these types of counseling services, while maintaining consent requirements for other medical or therapeutic interventions. This change applies to counseling focused on prevention and student development, not general medical treatment.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRemoves parental consent barrier for school social workers' preventative counseling, enhancing student access to mental health services in K-12 schools.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves parental consent barrier for school-based mental health counseling, improving access to preventative services for minors.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Student Health

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2307: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As introduced, enacts the "The Frank J. Lake III Act"; requires a long-term care ombudsman for an assisted-care living facility to notify all residents of such facility if the facility contacts the ombudsman; directs the health facilities commission to post a certain specified notice on the commission's website if an assisted-care living facility is placed on probation; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 11.

SB 2307, known as "The Frank J. Lake III Act," requires assisted-care living facilities in Tennessee to notify all residents or their representatives if the facility contacts the long-term care ombudsman. It also mandates the state health facilities commission to post a specific notice on its website when a facility is placed on probation or if disciplinary action is pending, clarifying that the notice does not admit any deficiency. Additionally, facilities must provide residents with a website link showing their current licensure status and any history of disciplinary actions before admission or contract signing. These provisions aim to increase transparency about facility oversight for residents and their families.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires facilities to notify residents of ombudsman contact and post probation notices, enhancing transparency and resident rights in care facilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Long-Term Care Medical Licensing

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2243: Medical Occupations - As introduced, reduces from 45 to 35 days, the amount of time the board of physician assistants has to either render a decision on a licensure application submitted by an individual licensed, registered, or certified as a physician assistant in another jurisdiction or inform the licensure applicant from another jurisdiction of the need to appear before the board. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 7; Title 24; Title 33; Title 38; Title 49; Title 53; Title 55; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68; Title 71 and Chapter 1042 of the Public Acts of 2024.

SB 2243 shortens the timeframe for Tennessee's Board of Physician Assistants to review licensure applications from out-of-state applicants. It reduces the decision period from 45 to 35 days for applicants already licensed in another state. This change directly affects physician assistants seeking to practice in Tennessee who hold credentials from other jurisdictions. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to applications submitted on or after that date.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareShortens licensure review time for out-of-state physician assistants, improving healthcare access and provider availability by reducing administrative delays.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing

Track

introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2197: Health Care - As introduced, authorizes an individual to submit a request for a pre-application determination of eligibility for an occupational license based on criminal history either in writing or electronically, rather than exclusively in writing, and updates the provision regarding judicial review to clarify that the 30-day window to petition the Davidson County chancery court is triggered by the receipt of either written or electronic notice of disqualification. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 2197 allows individuals seeking health care licenses in Tennessee to request a pre-application eligibility check based on criminal history both in writing and electronically, not just in writing. It updates the process by clarifying that the 30-day window to challenge a disqualification notice in court begins when the notice is received - whether sent by mail or electronically. This directly affects people with criminal records applying for health care licenses (e.g., nurses, pharmacists). The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 63-1-130(b) and (c) to implement these procedural changes.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeClarifies process for license eligibility with criminal history, reducing barriers to healthcare employment - aligns with criminal justice reform by aiding reintegration.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill streamlines healthcare licensing for individuals with criminal records by enabling electronic requests and clarifying court challenge timelines, improving access to healthcare professions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Courts

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2290: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As enacted, requires each fertility clinic operating in this state to obtain a certificate from the department of health to perform assisted reproductive technology services. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 29; Title 36; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 2290 requires fertility clinics and practitioners in Tennessee to obtain certification from the Department of Health to provide assisted reproductive technology (ART) services. It creates new rules mandating certification for ART practice, limits genetic embryo testing to chromosomal abnormalities or fatal fetal anomalies, and requires standardized consent forms explaining embryo care options. The bill defines ART using federal standards (42 U.S.C. § 263a-7) and prohibits unlicensed practice, applying directly to all ART providers in the state. These changes take effect once the certification process is established, with providers needing certification within 60 days of rule implementation.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires ART certification, standardizes consent forms, and limits genetic testing to protect patient safety and ensure regulated care quality under healthcare services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 20, 2026

SB 2406: Health Care - As introduced, permits a healthcare organization's quality improvement committee to evaluate the security measures in place at a healthcare organization to ensure the safety of patients and staff. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 38; Title 62 and Title 68.

SB 2406 allows healthcare organizations' quality improvement committees to evaluate existing security measures at their facilities. This expands the committees' role to specifically assess security protocols aimed at protecting both patients and staff. The bill amends Tennessee Code sections governing healthcare facilities (Titles 8, 38, 62, and 68) to include this security evaluation requirement, directly affecting healthcare organizations across Tennessee.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates security evaluations by quality committees to protect patients/staff, enhancing healthcare facility safety per amended codes.85% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentMandates security evaluations to protect staff safety, directly advancing workplace safety standards under Labor & Employment policies.90% confidence

Track

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Apr 15, 2026

SB 2179: Public Funds and Financing - As introduced, requires that monies from the opioid abatement fund that are disbursed to nonprofit organizations for statewide, regional, or local opioid abatement and remediation purposes be disbursed as a combination of advance payment and reimbursement grants. - Amends TCA Title 9, Chapter 4, Part 13 and Title 33, Chapter 11.

SB 2179 requires that funds from Tennessee's opioid abatement fund, distributed to nonprofit organizations for opioid-related programs, be split equally between advance payments (covering recurring costs like staff wages) and reimbursement grants. This applies to all statewide, regional, or local opioid abatement efforts funded through this specific account. The bill mandates that advance payments must constitute approximately 50% of total grant funds disbursed. It amends Tennessee Code Sections 33-11-105 and 9-4-13 to implement this disbursement structure. The law affects nonprofit organizations receiving these funds but does not create new funding or alter the fund's purpose.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates 50% advance payments for opioid abatement programs, ensuring stable funding for public health initiatives addressing the opioid crisis.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track

in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 25, 2026

HB 2100: Opioids - As introduced, removes nonresidential substitution-based treatment centers for opiate addiction from the requirement of obtaining a certificate of need beginning July 1, 2026. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 11 and Chapter 985 of the Public Acts of 2024.

HB 2100 removes a requirement for nonresidential substitution-based treatment centers (like medication-assisted therapy for opiate addiction) to obtain a certificate of need starting July 1, 2026. This change affects treatment centers providing outpatient care for opiate addiction, eliminating a prior approval process for these facilities. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 68, Chapters 11 and 985) to delete the certificate of need mandate. The policy change aims to reduce regulatory barriers for these treatment centers, effective July 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves certificate of need requirement for opioid treatment centers, increasing access to outpatient care without prior approval.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

Track