Rep. Gabby Salinas

Maddy summaryHB 1101 authorizes Tennessee's governor to expand Medicaid eligibility under the federal Affordable Care Act, directly affecting low-income residents who currently lack coverage. The bill updates state law to allow the governor to negotiate terms with federal Medicare and Medicaid officials (CMS) for this expansion. Key provisions include removing existing barriers to Medicaid expansion and establishing the governor's authority to implement the program. This change would enable Tennessee to extend coverage to approximately 200,000 additional low-income adults, aligning with federal ACA requirements. The bill is pending in the Insurance Committee for further review.

Maddy summaryHB 2604 removes an outdated reference to July 1, 2000, from Tennessee's Medicaid (TennCare) application forms. This change affects applicants seeking TennCare uninsured or uninsurable coverage by updating the forms to reflect current requirements under the Medical Assistance Act. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 4, 7, 8, 12, 14, 33, 47, 52, 56, 62, 63, 68, and 71) to delete the obsolete date. It is a procedural update with no impact on Medicaid benefits or eligibility rules.

Maddy summaryHB 2601 changes the deadline for taxpayers eligible for an excise tax exemption to file their application or renewal. Specifically, it moves the filing deadline from the 15th to the 20th day of the fourth month following the tax year. This procedural adjustment directly affects businesses or individuals claiming excise tax exemptions under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 67, Section 67-4-2008(f), with no changes to tax rates or eligibility criteria.

Maddy summaryHB 1103, the "Tennessee for Tampons Act," requires all public colleges and universities in Tennessee to provide free feminine hygiene products (like tampons and sanitary napkins) in every women's and girls' bathroom and locker room by July 1, 2025. It directly affects public higher education institutions and their students, aiming to address accessibility issues highlighted by student surveys. The bill mandates that schools collaborate with student governments and maintenance staff to administer and restock these products. This policy change ensures consistent access to essential hygiene items without requiring additional student funding or advocacy.

Maddy summaryHB 1109 requires private schools participating in Tennessee's education voucher programs (including education freedom scholarships, individualized education accounts, and education savings accounts) to conduct background checks on all staff with direct child contact or access to school grounds. The bill mandates fingerprint or Social Security number-based checks including state/national sex offender registries and child abuse registries, plus verification of educator license status. It applies specifically to schools enrolling students using state-funded voucher programs. The bill failed in the K-12 Subcommittee on March 25, 2025, and is not currently law.

Maddy summaryHB 1110 requires Tennessee county election commissions to publish their early voting office hours at least 30 days before an election, extending the current 25-day requirement. This change directly affects county election offices, which must update their public posting timelines. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Section 2-6-103(c) to implement this 5-day extension, giving voters more time to plan early voting visits.

Maddy summaryHB 1106 changes Tennessee's criminal penalties for exposing someone to HIV. It reduces the standard offense (exposure without transmission) from a Class C felony to a Class B misdemeanor, while creating a new Class C felony for cases where HIV transmission actually occurred. This directly affects individuals convicted of HIV exposure under current law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 39 and would take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1105 would amend Tennessee law to create a legal exception for physicians performing abortions when the pregnancy resulted from rape or incest, as defined by specific Tennessee statutes. This exception applies only to licensed doctors who perform or attempt to perform the abortion, and it would prevent criminal charges for the physician in those specific circumstances. The bill directly affects licensed physicians who provide abortions in cases of rape or incest and their patients in those situations. It does not change general abortion restrictions but adds a specific defense for physicians in these defined cases.

Maddy summaryHB 1107 requires Tennessee public schools (including public charter schools) serving grades 4-12 to provide free feminine hygiene products in all women’s and girls’ bathrooms and locker rooms. The bill also mandates state reimbursement for schools purchasing these products and directs the Department of Health to launch a public campaign encouraging donations from individuals and nonprofits. It applies to the 2025-2026 school year and beyond, with an effective date of July 1, 2025. The bill failed in the Education Administration Subcommittee on March 11, 2025, and did not advance further.