Rep. Kevin Vaughan

Maddy summaryThis law allows the cities of Memphis and Nashville to change how they spend money collected from hotel and motel taxes, provided they do not alter the specific purpose for which the funds were originally designated. While the bill restricts these municipalities from modifying the designated use of the revenue, it grants them the authority to reallocate the funds for other purposes within the city. The change applies specifically to preexisting privilege taxes related to transient accommodations and hotel occupancy in these two locations.

Maddy summaryThis bill, known as the Tennessee Rural and Workforce Housing Act, amends state laws governing the Tennessee Housing Development Agency (THDA). Its primary change reduces the number of members on the THDA Board of Directors from nine to eight. The legislation takes effect on July 1, 2024, and July 1, 2025, updating the agency's structure without altering its other housing-related functions.

Maddy summaryThis law allows licensed nurses and physician assistants in Tennessee to prescribe buprenorphine for medication-assisted treatment and recovery, expanding access to this medication beyond doctors. The key provision requires these providers to follow specific state guidelines and standards, which they must post on a board website within ten days of receiving them. By updating state codes, the bill removes previous restrictions that limited who could legally prescribe this type of medication.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires specific state regulatory boards in Tennessee to issue private advisory rulings when individuals request guidance on matters within their professional jurisdiction. It applies to boards under the Department of Commerce and Insurance as well as health-related boards within the Department of Health, ensuring that licensed or certified professionals can seek official opinions on their specific situations. The law clarifies that these rulings are personal to the requester and do not set precedents for others, while also allowing boards to resolve disputes through existing legal procedures. Additionally, the bill includes several technical amendments to the state code that remove outdated provisions related to board composition and authority.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires healthcare providers and insurers in Tennessee to comply with federal rules against blocking access to electronic health records and mandates that they allow patients to access their own medical data without restriction. It specifically prohibits doctors from delaying the release of certain sensitive test results, such as cancer diagnoses or HIV status, for more than seventy-two hours unless the provider explicitly authorizes the delay. Additionally, the legislation establishes a penalty system that can fine healthcare entities up to $250,000 for knowingly blocking information for financial gain and allows the state attorney general to sue for violations. Insurance companies are also required to create specific digital tools that let patients and providers easily exchange health information.

Maddy summaryThis bill restricts the prescription of buprenorphine for treating opioid use disorder to licensed physicians, with limited exceptions for other healthcare providers working in specific settings like hospitals or community health centers. Under the new rules, non-physician providers must work under the direct supervision of a physician who holds a federal waiver and is actively treating patients at the same facility. The legislation also limits how many non-physician providers a single supervising physician can oversee and requires state health officials to inspect facilities for compliance with these new requirements.

Maddy summaryThis bill prohibits local governments in Tennessee from discriminating against first responders in employment based on where they live. By removing specific exceptions in state law, it ensures that residency cannot be used as a reason to deny a job or treat a first responder unfairly. The law applies to all local authorities and covers various employment-related decisions. This change strengthens protections for first responders by closing loopholes that previously allowed residency-based discrimination.

Maddy summaryThis bill amends Tennessee insurance laws to increase the minimum coverage limits for workers' compensation policies held by local government entities. Specifically, it raises the minimum deductible from $50,000 to $100,000 and adjusts the corresponding premium calculation threshold to $200,000. The changes apply to all insurers, including insurance pools, providing these policies to local governments. These adjustments take effect on January 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis law gives county election commissions the authority to choose which voting machines are purchased for their counties and requires them to destroy those machines once they are considered obsolete. It also allows these commissions to independently sign contracts for buying or leasing equipment without needing approval from the local county government. Additionally, the bill clarifies that local governments must pay for these machines through taxes or debt obligations, with specific exceptions for cases where the election commission handles the agreement. The changes apply to Tennessee's election code and affect how voting technology is acquired and managed at the county level.