Rep. Chris Hurt

Maddy summaryHB 2242 amends Tennessee law to expand the TRICOR (Tennessee Rehabilitative Initiative in Correction) program's mission, allowing it to operate commissary programs (prison stores) within state prisons. This change directly affects Tennessee state prisons and the TRICOR program, which aims to offset incarceration costs through revenue generation. The bill modifies the program's authorized activities by explicitly adding commissary operations to its existing revenue model, while maintaining the requirement that these activities must align with "free enterprise" principles. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet become law.

Maddy summaryHB 2237 requires Tennessee's Office of Research and Education Accountability (within the Comptroller's office) to submit an annual report on test results for education freedom scholarship recipients to the legislative librarian. This procedural bill amends Tennessee law to add this reporting requirement, directly affecting the Comptroller's office and the legislative librarian's office. It does not change scholarship eligibility or funding, only adding a new step for sharing existing test data with the legislature. The bill is focused on transparency through existing reporting mechanisms.

Maddy summaryHB 1102 requires healthcare facilities in Tennessee to obtain specific written and oral consent before performing drug or alcohol tests on pregnant patients, patients less than one year postpartum, or newborns. The consent must explain legal consequences, medical purpose, confidentiality, and be provided without coercion. Exceptions allow testing without consent only in medical emergencies where delaying treatment would endanger the patient or newborn. The bill also prohibits healthcare providers from refusing care due to a patient's refusal to test and ensures privacy protections extend to this patient group. It takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1423 requires Lauderdale County to relocate its Probate and Juvenile Courts to the Justice Complex, including all staff, records, and operations. It dissolves these courts upon the current judge’s term ending, transferring probate matters to Chancery Court and juvenile matters to General Sessions Court. The bill mandates county legislative approval (a two-thirds vote) before taking effect. This directly affects Lauderdale County residents who use these courts and changes how local court services are administered. The law became effective after Governor approval on May 21, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 453 requires Tennessee schools to conduct full evacuation fire drills at least once every 30 school days (including two drills in the first 30 days of the school year) and hold four annual fire safety educational announcements developed by school districts. It also mandates fire drills every two months in institutional settings like group homes, with schools required to maintain detailed records of all drills for state fire marshal review. The law supersedes conflicting local regulations and applies to educational and institutional occupancies as defined in the bill. It became effective in May 2025 after being enacted as Public Chapter 315.

Maddy summaryHB 347 clarifies that a parent's or guardian's financial hardship alone cannot be used to terminate parental rights or define neglect in Tennessee's juvenile court system. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections (including Titles 36, 37, and 39) to specify that courts must not consider economic disadvantage as a basis for termination or neglect unless reasonable material resources (such as cash assistance, housing, or goods) were offered and refused by the parent. This change prevents poverty from being treated as neglect without evidence of the parent declining available support. The law takes effect on July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 351 changes who pays for electronic monitoring devices when prisoners work outside jail. If a prisoner works for pay, the cost is deducted from their wages; if working unpaid, the organization using them pays. This applies to all Tennessee jails and work programs utilizing electronic monitoring. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHJR 500 is a resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to honor Mary Carol Perry, a Crockett County volunteer who received the Governor's Volunteer Stars Award. The resolution recognizes her extensive community service, including leadership roles with the Imagination Library, Crockett County Health Council, and the Carl Perkins Center for the Prevention of Child Abuse. It formally congratulates her for dedicating her time to support children and community needs in Crockett County. This resolution has no legal effect but serves as a formal expression of appreciation from the state legislature.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (HJR 498) honoring Shawna Dodds, a Lauderdale County educator and longtime volunteer, for receiving Tennessee's Governor's Volunteer Stars Award. It recognizes her decade as a high school cheerleading coach, community event organizing, library board service, and church leadership. The resolution formally congratulates her on her "outstanding community leadership" and "laudable commitment to her community" as a model of the Volunteer State's spirit. It does not create new laws or affect policy - only provides symbolic recognition.

Maddy summaryHouse Joint Resolution 499 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Ella Cate Haynes of Crockett County for receiving Tennessee's Governor's Volunteer Stars Award. It formally recognizes her community service, including volunteering at food pantries and mentoring youth, as a model of volunteerism in Tennessee. The resolution has no legal effect - it simply expresses the General Assembly's appreciation and will be presented to Ms. Haynes after being signed by the Governor (April 15, 2025). It does not create new laws or policies.