Sen. Ed Jackson

Maddy summarySB 1196 allows assisted-care living facilities in Tennessee to display required posted information (like policies or safety notices) on electronic screens visible to residents and the public, instead of traditional physical signs. This change requires prior approval from the state board that licenses health care facilities. The bill amends Tennessee law (Titles 63 and 68) governing long-term care facilities to implement this flexible compliance method. It directly affects assisted-care living facilities seeking to meet posting requirements under state regulations.

Maddy summarySB 1197 allows Tennessee counties to skip automatic annual salary increases for county officials if the Department of Economic and Community Development determines the county faced "substantial economic distress" (based on unemployment, income, and poverty data) in the prior fiscal year. Counties must pass a resolution to forgo the increase, and officials' minimum pay remains frozen at the lower level until the department declares the distress ended or after the next county election. This directly affects county officials' compensation in counties meeting the economic distress criteria. The bill creates a temporary freeze mechanism tied to state economic data, with automatic reinstatement of higher pay when conditions improve or following a new election cycle.

Maddy summarySB 635 removes specific legal provisions from Tennessee's criminal code. It deletes the rule that killing during certain crimes (like robbery) automatically qualifies as first-degree murder, and eliminates sections defining criminal responsibility for another person's actions or "facilitation" of felonies. These changes affect how murder charges are classified and defended in court, specifically removing three existing legal elements from the law. The bill does not create new policies but deletes existing provisions in Tennessee Code sections related to murder and criminal responsibility.

Maddy summaryTennessee Senate Bill 182 (SB 182) requires the Tennessee Department of Health to submit a report by January 1, 2026, to specific legislative committees about anesthesiology practice in the state. The report must include data on current anesthesiologists, residency program participants, and graduates from anesthesiology programs, plus recommendations to increase their numbers. This bill directly affects the Department of Health, which must gather and submit this information, and the House Health committee and Senate Health and Welfare committee, which will receive the report. The legislation does not change existing laws but mandates a specific data collection and reporting process. (SB 182, enacted July 1, 2025)

Maddy summarySB 85 extends the Tennessee Board of Court Reporting's existence until June 30, 2027, by amending two sections of Tennessee law (TCA Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 20, Chapter 9). The bill removes an outdated reference and adds a new definition to clarify the board's role within the legal code. This procedural change ensures the board can continue operating without needing new legislation before 2027, directly affecting the board’s administrative continuity and the court reporting professionals it oversees.

Maddy summarySB 108 shortens the deadline for Tennessee's Department of Correction to report deaths in custody from 10 to five business days after the death. It requires reports to include the facility name and be sent to the state senator and representative representing the deceased person's last Tennessee home address. The bill applies only to deaths of people who resided in Tennessee and takes effect July 1, 2025. This change aims to improve transparency for legislators representing affected communities.

Maddy summarySB 107 requires each Tennessee state agency head to complete periodic training to ensure compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 2007. This procedural bill directly affects agency leaders (like department directors) by adding a new training requirement to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act (UAPA). The key provision mandates regular training sessions to help agencies meet existing regulatory requirements under the 2007 law. The bill is still pending in the Senate Government Operations Committee after being introduced and passed initial readings. It does not create new regulations but establishes a process for agency compliance.

Maddy summarySB 70 extends the Tennessee Human Rights Commission's operation until June 30, 2029, by amending state laws in Title 4, Chapters 21 and 29. The bill removes a reference to an expired provision (TCA § 4-29-246(a)(23)) and adds the commission's name to another legal section (TCA § 4-29-250(a)). This procedural change directly affects the Human Rights Commission, ensuring its continued functioning without requiring new legislative action. The bill does not alter the commission's duties or powers, only its operational timeline.

Maddy summaryThis law allows prisoners in Tennessee county jails or workhouses to leave the facility for paid or unpaid work without wearing an electronic monitoring device. To qualify for this exemption, both the sentencing judge and the county sheriff must provide written approval. Additionally, the rule requires that any prisoner released under this provision must be supervised by an armed officer and kept within that officer's direct line of sight at all times. The change updates existing state statutes to clarify these conditions for work release programs.

Maddy summaryThis bill enacts the Physician Assistant Licensure Compact in Tennessee, allowing licensed physician assistants to practice in other states that have joined the agreement without needing a new state license. The law creates a system where a physician assistant holding a valid license in one participating state can receive a "compact privilege" to work in another, provided the patient is located within that second state. To maintain safety and oversight, the bill establishes a national data system to track licenses and adverse actions, while also requiring criminal background checks for applicants. Additionally, the legislation specifically aims to assist military families by simplifying the process for active-duty personnel and their spouses to obtain practice privileges in different states.