Sen. Ferrell Haile

Maddy summarySJR 223 is a commemorative resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to formally recognize Westmoreland High School for earning the 2023-2024 Reward School designation - the highest academic honor awarded by the Tennessee Department of Education. The resolution, signed by the Governor on March 31, 2025, commends the school’s achievements in meeting state academic standards and its dedication to student success. It does not create new laws or affect any policies, serving solely as a public expression of praise for the school’s administration, staff, students, and community.

Maddy summarySB 1234 revives civil lawsuits for sexual assault that were previously time-barred under Tennessee law because the statute of limitations expired. It allows survivors who were 18 or older at the time of the assault to file new lawsuits between July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2027. The bill defines "sexual assault" to include specific offenses like rape, sexual battery, and incest under Tennessee Code. This provision applies only to cases dismissed before July 1, 2025, due to the time limit, not to new claims.

Maddy summarySB 860 allows individuals (including terminal patients) to formally refuse body or tissue donation through written documentation or oral statement, which cannot be overridden by others. If a person refuses donation, procurement organizations must immediately release remains to the funeral home designated by the family, without contacting relatives. The bill also requires organizations to contact family within six hours of death if no refusal exists, and imposes $500 civil penalties for repeated violations of these rules. It directly affects donors, families, and organ procurement organizations in Tennessee.

Maddy summarySB 911 would allow licensed doctoral-level psychologists in Tennessee to prescribe certain medications (like those for mental health conditions) after meeting specific requirements. It directly affects psychologists who complete a post-doctoral master's program in psychopharmacology (including 450 patient contact hours), pass a national exam, and complete a 1-year supervised fellowship treating 100+ patients. The bill creates two certification levels: an "initial certificate" requiring physician supervision and an "advanced certificate" for independent prescribing, both administered by the state psychology board. This bill is currently under review by the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and has not yet become law.

Maddy summarySB 852 extends the timeframe for physicians to remove non-compete restrictions from 10 to 30 business days when a dispute arises over the fair market value of a practice during a repurchase attempt. It directly affects physicians and healthcare employers in Tennessee by giving physicians more time to resolve valuation disagreements. The bill requires employers to accept a payment equal to the physician's original sale price to lift practice restrictions after the 30-day period. This change modifies Tennessee law under Titles 63 and 68 of the state code regarding healthcare provider agreements. The bill is currently pending before the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.

Maddy summarySB 127 modifies Tennessee's requirement for charter schools to submit annual financial audits. It changes the current rule (which requires audits "as soon as practical after June 30") to allow the state comptroller to set the specific deadline each year. This bill directly affects all Tennessee charter schools, as it gives the comptroller authority to determine when audits must be submitted annually. The change is procedural, focusing solely on the timing of audit submissions without altering audit content or standards. The bill does not create new requirements but adjusts the administrative process for compliance.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 213 is a formal resolution honoring Barbara Towns of Cato, Tennessee, for receiving the Governor's Volunteer Stars Award. It recognizes her 48 years of community volunteerism, including work with local organizations like the Trousdale County School Board, 4-H, and nursing home support, as well as her decades of service as a registered nurse. The resolution specifically celebrates her contributions to Trousdale County and her embodiment of the "spirit of the Volunteer State." As a symbolic gesture, it does not create new laws or policies.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (SJR 212), not a law, honoring Austin Spangler, a Trousdale County youth volunteer. It recognizes his receipt of the Governor's Volunteer Stars Award for his community service, including volunteering with the Trousdale County Fair, FFA, 4-H, and managing cattle. The resolution formally congratulates him for his contributions to his community and extends well-wishes for his future education in agricultural education. It passed unanimously in both chambers and was signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 945 removes an outdated requirement from Tennessee law that previously mandated the state comptroller's office to submit a report about community schools to education committees by November 1, 2018. The bill deletes this specific language from education-related statutes (Tennessee Code Annotated Titles 4, 8, and 49), which expired years ago. This procedural change affects no current operations or entities, as the reporting deadline has long passed and the requirement is no longer active.

Maddy summarySB 125 requires Tennessee's Higher Education Commission, with input from the Department of Labor, to study all state-funded financial aid programs to identify opportunities for expanding support toward workforce credentials (like vocational certifications or technical training). This study will also examine private employer or organization programs offering similar aid. The Commission must report findings and any legislative recommendations to education committees by January 15, 2026. The bill does not change current aid programs but sets a process for evaluating potential expansions to help students pursue career-focused training.