Rep. Mary Littleton

Maddy summaryThis joint resolution honors the memory of Stephanie Jan Halaiko Chivers, a former Tennessee State Representative and public servant. The bill formally recognizes her contributions to politics and public service, including her historic role as the first female Republican elected to the Tennessee House of Representatives. It also expresses the legislature's sympathy to her surviving family members. The resolution is a commemorative measure that does not change laws or policies.

Maddy summaryHB 2352 restricts access to juvenile court records in delinquency and unruly proceedings to specific court personnel, prosecutors, and public defenders when handling cases involving children. It amends Tennessee law to require that only judges, court staff, district attorneys, and public defenders may view these records while performing official duties related to child cases. The bill explicitly prohibits unauthorized disclosure of this information, reinforcing confidentiality protections for minors in juvenile court matters. This change directly affects minors involved in juvenile court cases and ensures their records are only accessible to authorized legal professionals handling their cases.

Maddy summaryHB 2351 updates Tennessee's medication aide certification rules to allow nursing students in good standing enrolled in approved nursing programs to qualify for certification without prior work experience as a nurse aide or occupational therapy assistant. To qualify, students must complete required coursework in medication administration, pharmacology, and nursing fundamentals with passing grades. This change directly affects nursing students seeking early career opportunities and healthcare facilities needing medication aides. The bill also adds new requirements for training program timelines (14-90 days) and exam pass rate calculations.

Maddy summaryHB 2188 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services (DCS) to create a formal agreement with the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) to improve support for children in state custody or at risk of entering custody who have intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD). The bill mandates DDA to evaluate children with suspected I/DD, recommend appropriate placements, oversee service quality, develop staff training, and coordinate disability-specific care. It directly affects children with I/DD in or near state custody, DCS staff, and service providers. The law also requires DCS to submit annual reports to legislative committees detailing referrals, evaluations, placements, oversight findings, and training status by January 1, 2027, and annually after.

Maddy summaryHB 2012 creates a new civil cause of action for Tennessee residents whose intimate images (photos or videos of intimate body parts or sexual conduct) are shared without consent. It allows victims to sue for damages including $150,000 in liquidated damages, actual harm (like emotional distress), and attorney fees, while clarifying that consent to create an image doesn’t cover its distribution. The bill defines "intimate image" broadly, requires valid consent for distribution to be in writing with clear terms, and excludes certain cases like law enforcement reporting or good-faith assistance. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies to incidents occurring on or after that date.

Maddy summaryHB 1786 prohibits recreational boat owners from securing (mooring) their vessels for more than 14 consecutive days at any single location along reservoir water edges or within one mile of the water's edge. It also bans blocking navigation access in reservoirs and establishes temporary moorage restrictions in Tennessee River navigation channels. Violating these rules would be a Class C misdemeanor, though federal permit holders for permanent mooring are exempt. The law directly affects recreational boaters using reservoirs managed by federal agencies, aiming to prevent long-term vessel accumulation and maintain water access.

Maddy summaryHB 2349 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services to create a public website by July 1, 2027, providing parents and caregivers with clear information about licensed child care agencies. The site must include license status, violation history (including serious injuries or deaths), inspection results, and corrective actions, while excluding private home addresses and individual child/foster parent details. It also mandates plain-language summaries of monitoring reports and key processes like licensing, inspections, and complaint handling. The bill directly affects families seeking child care, child care agencies, and the public by increasing transparency around facility safety and compliance.

Maddy summaryThis bill is a joint resolution honoring the memory of Shipp Robbley Weems, a public servant from Dickson, Tennessee. It recognizes his career as a judge and public defender, including his role in establishing Tennessee's first public defenders program. The resolution formally acknowledges his contributions to justice and offers condolences to his family. It does not create new laws or policies but serves as a commemorative tribute to his life and legacy.

Maddy summaryHB 2353 would require Tennessee's Department of Human Services to provide applicants for temporary assistance (welfare benefits) with a written notice of their eligibility determination, rather than a general notice. This change directly affects individuals applying for welfare programs by ensuring they receive a clear, written record of their eligibility status. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71, Section 71-3-107(f), by replacing the word "notice" with "written notice" to specify the required format. The policy aims to increase transparency and clarity in the welfare application process for applicants.

Maddy summaryHB 2354, introduced as House Bill 2354, changes sentencing for sexual battery committed by authority figures (such as teachers, coaches, or counselors) in Tennessee. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 (criminal procedure) and Title 40 (sentencing), specifically removing probation eligibility for this offense under Section 39-13-527. This means individuals convicted of sexual battery by an authority figure will no longer qualify for probation and must face other sentencing options. The law would take effect July 1, 2026, applying to offenses occurring on or after that date.