Rep. Michele Reneau

Maddy summaryHB 853 clarifies that parents, legal guardians, or legal custodians of unemancipated minors can access all health and medical records, including those related to treatments provided without parental consent. The bill also permits school employees to provide basic first aid (bandages, gauze, or ice packs) for minor injuries like cuts, scrapes, bumps, or bruises without requiring parental permission. This legislation amends Tennessee Code sections in Titles 33, 36, 37, 49, 63, and 68 to update language on medical record access and school health procedures. The changes directly affect minors, their caregivers, and school staff by standardizing medical information access and allowing immediate minor injury care in schools.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a House Joint Resolution that formally honors Walden's Ridge Emergency Service for its 50th anniversary. It recognizes the volunteer group's 50 years of providing emergency services to communities in Hamilton County and surrounding areas, including firefighting, medical aid, and rescue operations. The resolution serves as a public acknowledgment of the organization's contributions and expresses gratitude for the volunteers' dedication to public safety. No new laws or funding are created; the measure is purely commemorative and does not alter existing policies.

Maddy summaryThis bill authorizes the State of Tennessee to dedicate a historical marker honoring World War II veteran Russell LeRoy Pickett at Veterans Park in Soddy-Daisy. The resolution recognizes Pickett's service as one of the first soldiers to land on Omaha Beach during the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. It formally acknowledges his legacy and bravery, noting that he was considered one of the last surviving members of that historic group at the time of his death in 2020. The measure directs the preparation of a copy of the resolution for presentation alongside the marker's dedication ceremony.

Maddy summaryThis bill honors Komatsu Chattanooga Manufacturing Operations for its 40th anniversary. It recognizes the company as Tennessee's first Japanese manufacturing plant and notes its community involvement and employee support. The resolution formally commends the business for its four decades of operation and wishes it continued success. No new laws or funding are created; the measure serves only as a ceremonial acknowledgment.

Maddy summaryHB 1692 (Tennessee) would allow courts to waive the standard home study requirement for adoptions when a child has already lived with the prospective adoptive parents for six months, provided the adoption is deemed in the child's best interest. This change applies directly to adoptive parents seeking to adopt a child already residing in their home for six months, including cases where the child is not a relative. The bill amends Tennessee adoption laws (Titles 36 and 37) to expand existing waiver provisions for related adoptions to include this six-month residency scenario. It requires courts to review the child’s circumstances and confirm the adoption serves the child’s best interest before waiving the home study and six-month waiting period.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors Anna Cat Shepard, a high school educator recognized by the Mountain Education Foundation as Educator of the Year. The bill formally acknowledges her professional dedication and service to students in Tennessee through a legislative commendation. It directs the state to prepare and present a copy of the resolution to Shepard as a gesture of appreciation for her work.

Maddy summaryThis House Joint Resolution honors Shannon Roddy, a middle school educator recognized as the Mountain Education Foundation Middle School Educator of the Year. The bill formally acknowledges her dedication to teaching and her role as a mentor to students and colleagues in Tennessee. It does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official commendation of her professional achievements.

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors firefighters throughout Tennessee for their essential work in public safety. It recognizes both career and volunteer firefighters who respond to emergencies such as fires, accidents, and natural disasters. The bill does not change laws or create new programs; instead, it serves as a formal commendation to acknowledge their contributions to protecting communities.

Maddy summaryHB 2393 prohibits Tennessee public schools serving kindergarten through fifth grade (K-5) from allowing students to use digital devices at school, requiring teachers to use devices for instruction, or administering assessments electronically. The law directly affects K-5 students and educators in local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools. Key exceptions include compliance with disability laws (IDEA, Section 504, ADA), public virtual schools, and state-mandated assessments like universal screeners or dyslexia screenings. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026, and does not ban device use for all purposes but restricts it in core instructional and assessment contexts for young learners.

Maddy summaryHB 1694, the "Tennessee K-9 Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act," allows emergency medical personnel (like EMTs) to provide emergency care and transport to injured police, military, or search-and-rescue dogs (called "canine first responders") during their duties. The bill requires EMTs to complete specific training and operate under the oversight of a licensed veterinarian designated as an "emergency veterinary medicine service director," and permits transport only when no human patient requires immediate care. It also provides legal immunity to EMTs acting in good faith to provide such care or transport, protecting them from civil or criminal liability. This law directly affects injured working dogs and emergency medical personnel who serve law enforcement, military, or search-and-rescue teams.