Healthcare (Substance Abuse)

signed · Tennessee · House Apr 20, 2026

HJR 1254: Memorials, Recognition - Will Taylor -

This bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally honors Will Taylor for his leadership in recovery advocacy and his service to the people of Tennessee. The resolution acknowledges his work with state agencies, nonprofit organizations, and faith communities to improve mental health and substance use treatment systems. It highlights his role in developing addiction programs and promoting the "Recovery Is The New High" message to reduce stigma and support long-term recovery. The measure does not create new laws or funding but serves as an official commendation to recognize his contributions to the state's behavioral health ecosystem.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill honors advocacy for mental health and substance use treatment, promoting recovery and reducing stigma, which supports healthcare access.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2394: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the report detailing strategies the department intends to use to increase resources for services and supports, including those funded by Medicaid, TennCare, or other public and private sources, to be submitted in an electronic format. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33; Title 34; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

SB 2394 requires the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to submit its report on strategies to increase mental health and substance abuse resources in electronic format. The report must detail plans for services funded by Medicaid, TennCare, or other public and private sources. This bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law to mandate the electronic submission format, without changing the report's content or requirements.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires report detailing strategies to increase mental health resources, aligning with support for mental health services and resource expansion.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Medicaid Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 31, 2026

SB 2281: 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.

SB 2281 removes a regulatory requirement for nonresidential medication-based treatment centers treating opiate addiction in Tennessee. Specifically, it deletes provisions that currently mandate these centers obtain a state "certificate of need" to operate. The change takes effect July 1, 2026, directly affecting opioid treatment providers that offer outpatient care using medications like methadone or buprenorphine. This policy simplifies the process for these facilities to establish or expand services without prior state approval.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRemoves certificate of need requirement for opioid treatment centers, simplifying expansion of outpatient medication-based care and improving patient access to addiction treatment services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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died · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2196: Local Government, General - As enacted, authorizes Putnam County and incorporated cities within the county 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. - Amends TCA Title 7, Chapter 51, Part 26.

HB 2196 authorizes Putnam County and its incorporated cities (with specific population ranges) to regulate sober living homes for substance abuse recovery, provided rules comply with the Fair Housing Act and Americans with Disabilities Act. The bill amends Tennessee law to define eligible local governments based on 2020 census population thresholds (county: 366,200-366,300; cities: 79,800-79,900). It directly affects sober living homes operating in Putnam County and its cities by establishing their regulatory framework. The key provision ensures local regulations cannot violate federal civil rights protections for residents seeking recovery housing.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill enables local regulation of sober living homes for substance abuse recovery, ensuring compliance with ADA/Fair Housing Act to protect access. Supports healthcare by facilitating operation of facilities providing substance abuse treatment serv...85% confidence

Sub-Topics Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 4, 2026

HB 2572: Health Care - As enacted, requires the department of health to make available to the public on its website all inspection criteria required for compliance by pain management clinics; makes other changes relative to pain management. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 2572 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to publish on its website the inspection criteria pain management clinics must follow for compliance. It also mandates that the Department publicly post the criteria used to identify "high-risk" prescribers (those with high patient overdose rates) and establishes a process for removing this designation after prescribers complete required training. The bill exempts pain management specialists from the high-risk prescriber identification process and changes clinic reporting requirements from weekly to quarterly. These provisions increase transparency for clinics and prescribers while updating regulatory procedures.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates transparency in pain management clinic inspections and creates process for correcting high-risk prescriber designations, improving patient safety and oversight in healthcare services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Primary Care Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 17, 2026

SB 2460: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, adds the 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 33; Title 52; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 2460 requires Tennessee's Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to include the legislative librarian in its quarterly reports about mental health accommodations. These reports must detail the implementation and impact of available accommodations, including the number and duration of delayed admissions at state-run hospitals and treatment facilities. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (Titles 33, 4, 52, 63, and 68) to update reporting requirements. It directly affects the department's reporting process and ensures the legislative librarian receives these reports.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates detailed reporting on mental health accommodations and admission delays, enhancing oversight and accountability in state mental health services.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 13, 2026

SB 2549: Opioids - As enacted, adds that a healthcare provider who subcontracts through the contracted healthcare vendor with the department of correction may prescribe a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder if other certain listed criteria are met. - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 63.

SB 2549 allows healthcare providers who subcontract through contracted vendors with Tennessee's Department of Correction (or county/municipal jails) to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder treatment, provided specific criteria are met. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 53-11-311 and related provisions to enable this practice in correctional healthcare settings. It directly affects medical staff working within prison or jail healthcare systems by expanding their ability to use buprenorphine - a medication for opioid addiction - under defined conditions. The law would take effect upon enactment, modifying how opioid treatment is delivered in state correctional facilities.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill enables buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, supporting rehabilitation and reducing recidivism through expanded medical care in prisons.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder in correctional facilities, improving patient access to evidence-based care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Corrections Drug Policy Substance Abuse

in committee · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 2533: Drugs, Prescription - As enacted, requires the Tennessee opioid abatement council to allocate funds held in the opioid abatement fund in a certain manner. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 38 and Title 41.

SB 2533, known as "The Isbill Act," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers and correctional personnel to undergo annual training on criteria for involuntary mental health admissions. It mandates the POST commission and Tennessee corrections institute to develop guidelines and training materials covering both emergency and nonemergency involuntary admissions to inpatient treatment. The bill directly affects all law enforcement officers and correctional staff in Tennessee, requiring them to complete this training annually. The law takes effect July 1, 2027, and amends Tennessee Code Sections 38-8-101, 41-7-101, and 33-6-401.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeMandates mental health training for law enforcement to reduce unnecessary arrests and improve crisis handling, a criminal justice reform.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual training for law enforcement on mental health admission criteria, improving crisis response protocols for inpatient treatment access under Tennessee's involuntary admission system.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Mental Health Substance Abuse

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 2149: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As enacted, enacts the "HOPE Treatment Act." - Amends TCA Title 9; Title 33; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 2149, the "HOPE Treatment Act," creates a framework for Tennessee to fund clinical trials using ibogaine - a compound being studied for treating mental health and substance use disorders - to accelerate research into its medical potential. It allows groups of organizations (including drug developers, universities, and hospitals) to form a "cohort" and apply for state funding to conduct FDA-approved trials for conditions like opioid addiction, PTSD, depression, and traumatic brain injury. The bill requires detailed proposals covering trial design, safety protocols, participant recruitment, and aftercare plans before funding is granted. This initiative aims to advance research on ibogaine within Tennessee, aligning with broader state and federal interest in psychedelic-assisted therapies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareFunds clinical trials for mental health/substance abuse treatments, accelerating research into ibogaine-based therapies for opioid addiction and PTSD, directly advancing healthcare access.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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

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