Sen. Ed Jackson

Maddy summarySB 1937 amends Tennessee laws related to child abuse and child sexual abuse by adding the commissioner of mental health and substance abuse services to the Second Look Commission. It updates how abuse cases are reviewed (replacing "second or subsequent incident" with "case being reviewed") and expands the commission’s access to state agency records needed for its work. The bill also updates definitions to include "strangulation" in abuse and neglect contexts and modifies child protective team responsibilities. These changes directly affect children in abuse cases, child protective teams, and the Second Look Commission’s operations. The bill takes effect in 2026, with most provisions delayed until July 1.

Maddy summarySB 1613 amends Tennessee law to allow state veterans' homes to provide services beyond skilled nursing care to honorably discharged veterans, directly affecting veterans seeking non-nursing support. The key provision (added to § 58-7-101(e)) explicitly permits homes to offer "other services for the support and care" of veterans, as authorized by existing state or federal law. This expands the range of care options available at veterans' homes without creating new services, only enabling previously authorized ones. The bill also makes minor technical updates to sections about home locations, contracts, and the purpose of veterans' homes.

Maddy summarySB 1804 requires Tennessee's Department of Correction to notify the police chief of an inmate's city of residence (if the city has a police chief) and the county's chief law enforcement officer whenever an inmate is granted a furlough. This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 40 and Title 41, to add this notification requirement without changing furlough eligibility or conditions. The law directly affects the Department of Correction (which must send notifications) and local law enforcement agencies (which receive them). The change applies to all furloughs and aims to improve communication between state corrections and local police.

Maddy summarySB 1523 extends the expiration date of Tennessee's Inmate Disciplinary Oversight Board to June 30, 2028. This board reviews disciplinary actions taken against inmates in state correctional facilities. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 41, Chapter 21, Part 10) to update the board's sunset date. The extension ensures continued oversight of inmate discipline processes without altering the board's existing responsibilities.

Maddy summarySB 1551 extends the Tennessee Council for Career and Technical Education's operational period until June 30, 2030, by removing its previous expiration date. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections related to career education (Title 4, Chapter 29) and the council's statutory authority (Title 49, Chapter 11). This procedural change ensures the council continues operating without needing new legislation before 2030, directly affecting its oversight of career and technical education programs statewide.

Maddy summarySB 1639 simplifies administrative requirements for Tennessee corporations and charitable organizations ending operations. It removes the filing fee for corporations submitting termination documents, extends the deadline for notifying the Secretary of State after stopping fundraising from 30 to 90 days, and eliminates the requirement for large charitable organizations ($1M+ annual revenue) to submit audited financial statements when ending fundraising. These changes directly affect businesses and nonprofits that cease operations or fundraising activities. The bill aims to reduce paperwork burdens without altering substantive regulations.

Maddy summarySB 1595 amends Tennessee utility laws to update the process for consolidating utility systems (such as water or electricity providers) and includes utility authorities in consolidation procedures. The bill requires utility systems seeking to merge to form a formal agreement, obtain a resolution from their governing bodies, and petition a county mayor for approval after a public hearing. County mayors must approve consolidation only if it enhances public convenience, is economically sound, and serves the public interest, with approval orders specifying the new utility’s name, boundaries, and asset handling. The bill also specifies that when consolidating two or more utility districts, the new utility’s board must consist of five commissioners.

Maddy summaryThis bill updates Tennessee law to replace the term "marital and family therapists" with "marriage and family therapists" across multiple code sections (including Titles 4, 8, 33, 36, 52, 56, 63, and 68). It primarily corrects terminology in licensing, practice, and regulatory provisions affecting therapists and the Board of Examiners. Key additions include Section 16, which establishes reciprocal licensing agreements with other states and defines endorsement requirements, and Section 20, which clarifies exemptions for interns and certain professionals. The bill does not alter clinical practice standards but standardizes the profession’s official name in state law.

Maddy summarySB 2132 prevents certain state agency rules from automatically expiring on June 30, 2026. Specifically, it applies to permanent rules filed with the secretary of state on or after January 1, 2025, that are active when the bill takes effect and would otherwise expire on that date. These rules will remain in effect indefinitely until changed by the agency, new legislation, or repealed - rather than expiring as scheduled. The bill does not override other laws, ensuring rules cannot conflict with statutes outside the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. This is a procedural adjustment to administrative rules, not a substantive policy change.

Maddy summarySB 1914 prevents Tennessee's Department of Correction from moving state inmates out of local jails into state facilities if they're in a work release or re-entry program, unless the inmate fails program requirements or has disciplinary issues. This directly affects inmates participating in these community-based programs who might otherwise face sudden relocation. The bill adds a specific legal prohibition requiring the department to maintain these inmates in local jails during program participation, barring only documented failures or misconduct. It creates a concrete policy change to support continuity in rehabilitation programs by limiting arbitrary transfers.