Sen. Charlane Oliver

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors Ellie L. Thompson on the occasion of her 100th birthday by formally recognizing her life achievements and contributions to her family and community. The resolution acknowledges her roles as a devoted mother, grandmother, and church leader, as well as her personal habits of reading, watching television, and staying informed about current events. It directs the Senate to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to Mrs. Thompson as a gesture of appreciation, with the final clause omitted from the official copy given to her.

Maddy summarySB 242, the "Homes not Hedge Funds Act," prohibits business entities (including hedge funds and large property companies) from purchasing more than 100 single-family homes in qualifying Tennessee counties (those with over 150,000 residents per the 2020 census) for rental purposes. The bill creates a legal cause of action for the state attorney general or affected individuals to sue violators, with penalties up to $100 per day per home and potential damages. It directly affects large-scale property investors operating in high-population counties, aiming to preserve homeownership opportunities by limiting bulk rentals. The law does not apply to homes purchased for personal residence or to governmental entities.

Maddy summarySB 2508 requires Tennessee's health commissioner to study how neighboring states use designated caregivers for hospitalized patients, using existing resources. The study must determine how common this practice is and identify best practices, with "designated caregivers" defined as relatives, partners, friends, or neighbors with significant relationships to the patient. The commissioner must compile findings and legislative recommendations into a report for the legislature by December 31, 2026. This bill directly affects hospitals and future policy decisions but does not create new regulations or funding.

Maddy summarySB 2507 requires Tennessee's Contractors State Board to notify the Department of Commerce and Insurance whenever it posts disciplinary actions against contractors on its website. This bill directly affects the Contractors State Board (which enforces licensing rules) and the Department of Commerce and Insurance (which oversees insurance regulation). The key provision adds a mandatory notification step to the board's existing process, ensuring the Department is informed of disciplinary actions as soon as they are publicly posted. The bill does not change licensing standards or penalties but streamlines inter-agency communication about contractor violations.

Maddy summarySB 2506, the "Tennessee Fair Chance Housing Act," prohibits landlords and housing providers from refusing to rent or lease housing solely based on a person's criminal history. It limits consideration of criminal records to a 3-year look-back period for misdemeanors and 10 years for felonies (except for sex offenses, which require an individualized safety assessment). Housing providers must conduct an individualized assessment considering factors like the offense severity, time since conviction, rehabilitation efforts, and safety risks before denying housing. This law directly affects renters with criminal records and housing providers managing residential properties across Tennessee.

Maddy summarySB 2513, the "Workers' Right to Live Act," requires Tennessee employers to report workplace fatalities within 24 hours, with a $50,000 penalty for late reporting. If an investigation finds negligence caused a death, employers face a minimum $250,000 fine per fatality and must repay state incentives (claw back) received under accountability agreements. The bill mandates that the division investigate fatalities within five business days and publicly report findings within 90 days. These provisions apply to all Tennessee employers, with specific focus on high-risk industries like construction and manufacturing.

Maddy summarySB 2510, the "Maternal Health Care Protection Act," prohibits healthcare providers, institutions, and payers from refusing to provide or pay for pregnancy-related care based on conscience objections. It directly affects medical professionals, hospitals, and insurance companies by requiring them to offer services like emergency care, diagnosis of pregnancy complications, and standard obstetric care within their professional scope. The bill amends Tennessee law to remove existing conscience exemptions for these specific services, ensuring providers cannot deny care due to personal beliefs. This applies to all pregnant patients, defined as individuals who are pregnant or reasonably believed to be pregnant, regardless of gestational age.

Maddy summaryThis resolution (SJR 663) is a non-binding commemorative measure honoring Meharry Medical College's 150th anniversary in 2026. It recognizes the college's founding in 1876 as the first medical school in the South for African Americans and its historical role in training Black physicians, dentists, and healthcare leaders. The resolution celebrates Meharry's legacy of advancing health equity and its current initiatives, including "Campaign 150," to strengthen community care and education. It does not create new laws or policies but formally acknowledges the institution's contributions to Tennessee and national healthcare.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 662 is a non-binding resolution passed by the Tennessee General Assembly to formally honor Fisk University on its 160th anniversary, recognizing its founding in 1866, cultural contributions (including the Fisk Jubilee Singers), and notable alumni like W.E.B. Du Bois and John Lewis. The resolution was unanimously adopted by both the Senate and House, with no opposition, and is now pending the Governor's signature for final approval. As a commemorative measure, it has no legal effect or policy impact but serves to acknowledge the university's historical significance to Nashville and Tennessee.

Maddy summarySJR 695 is a symbolic legislative resolution that commends the Tennessee Justice Center on its 30th anniversary. The resolution recognizes the organization's work in advancing equity and justice, including securing healthcare benefits for 95,000 children and food aid for Tennesseans, but does not create any new laws or legal obligations. It was passed unanimously by both chambers of the Tennessee General Assembly and is now awaiting gubernatorial action. This resolution serves as a formal expression of legislative appreciation with no direct impact on policy or affected individuals.