Rep. Becky Jo Alexander

Maddy summaryHB 860 amends Tennessee law to change requirements for new funeral director applicants who weren't previously licensed in the state. It allows them to replace one year of hands-on apprenticeship with either an associate degree from an ABFSE-accredited college or completion of a funeral service education program. The bill also permits applicants to combine educational hours with apprenticeship work to fulfill requirements within one calendar year. This change takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting new applicants seeking licensure in Tennessee.

Maddy summaryHB 859 changes the effective date for a helmet exemption for certain autocycles in Tennessee. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 55-10-428(c), by shifting the date when the exemption takes effect from December 1, 2025, to February 1, 2026. The exemption applies specifically to autocycles that meet the definition of "fully enclosed" (having side panels, a roll bar or roof, and a windshield). This affects autocycle operators in Tennessee who use vehicles meeting this definition, as they will no longer be required to wear helmets under the updated timeline.

Maddy summaryHB 364 ("Emma's Bill") changes Tennessee's TennCare program to require health officials to consider a patient's overall medical condition - not just cost - when deciding what care is medically necessary. It directly affects TennCare patients (especially those with complex needs like mobility issues, cognitive challenges, or life-support equipment) and the Tennessee Department of Health (the "bureau" managing TennCare). The bill adds specific factors to review, including mobility, communication ability, need for constant nursing supervision, and reliance on ventilators or life-sustaining equipment, even if more expensive care is needed. This overrides the previous rule that required choosing the "least costly alternative" for all decisions. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 713 amends Tennessee's cemetery laws (Title 46) to clarify fee structures and interment rights. It prohibits cemetery companies from charging more for memorial care than for installation fees, ensuring consistent pricing for consumers purchasing memorials. The bill also establishes a 75-year rule for abandoned interment rights, requiring cemeteries to conduct specific searches before reclaiming rights and allowing owners to reclaim rights within 25 years. Additionally, it changes how improvement care trust fund deposits are calculated by averaging values over three years instead of one. These changes directly affect cemetery companies and individuals purchasing or owning cemetery plots or memorials.

Maddy summaryHB 932 requires Tennessee public schools to create policies banning student use of phones, tablets, and other wireless devices during class time, except for specific educational purposes, health emergencies, or when required by a student's special education plan (IEP) or 504 plan. The policy must allow teachers to permit device use for learning, let students access devices in emergencies, and ensure parents can be contacted during crises. Schools must publish these policies online and may temporarily withhold devices from students who violate the rules. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, applying to all public schools and charter schools in the state.

Maddy summaryThis resolution honors Tennessee's disabled victims of filicide (murder by family members or caregivers) by naming specific individuals (such as Chuckey Sweeten, Fiona Mitchell, and David Leath) on the national Day of Mourning observed March 1st. It commemorates their lives without creating new laws, funding, or policy changes. The resolution was passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the governor in March 2025. As a commemorative measure, it focuses solely on raising awareness and acknowledging these victims.

Maddy summaryHB 419 would require Tennessee public schools and charter schools to prohibit students from using personal electronic devices (like phones, tablets, or smartphones) during the school day, except for school-provided devices, authorized use under school policy, or for students with disabilities using assistive technology under an IEP or 504 plan. School boards and charter school governing bodies must create and adopt a written policy by July 31, 2025, which may ban devices in specific areas (e.g., libraries) and must include a process for contacting parents during emergencies. The policy must ensure parents can be notified without relying on student device access. This bill would apply starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 605 requires Tennessee's Board of Claims to review, consider, and approve insurance policies recommended by the Division of Claims. These policies would cover legal claims against the state or its employees arising from contracts or accidents. The bill defines "state agency" broadly to include boards, commissions, departments, and institutions of higher education, clarifying which entities are covered. This change ensures the Board of Claims has formal authority to manage and coordinate liability insurance purchases for all state units. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections to implement these procedural changes.

Maddy summaryHB 438 requires Tennessee employers to post pay day notices in three conspicuous locations instead of two. This change directly affects all employers covered under Tennessee labor laws who must display their regular pay schedules. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 39, 49, 50, and 62) to update the posting requirement. It makes no other policy changes and focuses solely on increasing the number of required posting locations for employee pay notices.

Maddy summaryThis law clarifies that autopsy reports and medical examiner records for minor victims of violent crimes are private and not open to the public. Families of these minors can access the reports if they are not suspects in the case and provide consent, or if a judge approves the release based on a specific need. The bill also ensures that medical records, police investigation files, and photos of deceased individuals remain confidential. These changes apply to all counties in Tennessee and take effect immediately upon signing.