Sen. Sara Kyle

Maddy summarySB 573 requires Tennessee public schools (including charter schools) to provide free feminine hygiene products in all women's and girls' bathrooms and locker rooms used by students in grades 4 through 12. Schools will be reimbursed by the state for the cost of these products. The bill also mandates a public health campaign to encourage individuals and nonprofits to donate products to eligible schools. It takes effect for the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summarySB 1158 (Tennessee) amends state law to allow members of the Tennessee General Assembly to claim expense and mileage allowances for travel on Saturdays or Sundays during legislative sessions. This applies when legislators arrive on those days to attend or prepare for meetings directly related to legislative business. The change modifies existing allowance rules (TCA Title 3, Chapter 1) and takes effect November 3, 2026. The bill specifically affects state legislators' travel reimbursement during sessions, with no broader policy impact beyond this procedural adjustment.

Maddy summarySB 618 requires Tennessee's Senate and House speakers to establish an equal number of legislative conferences or conference days for which members of either chamber can claim expense and mileage allowances. It standardizes the allowance system by mandating that the approved count of conferences or days must be identical for both the Senate and House. The bill defines "conference" broadly to include meetings, workshops, or gatherings related to state legislative duties. This procedural change affects all state legislators who claim travel expenses for official legislative events. The policy takes effect on November 3, 2026.

Maddy summarySB 594 restores voting rights for Tennessee residents convicted of an "infamous crime" (serious criminal convictions) once their sentence, probation, or parole ends. It removes the previous requirement that individuals must pay all restitution, court costs, and be current on child support before regaining the right to vote. The bill clarifies that voting rights restoration occurs automatically after sentence completion, without needing a full citizenship restoration or pardon. This change applies to all eligible individuals, including those convicted before 1981, and updates voter registration forms to reflect the new eligibility criteria.

Maddy summarySB 702 creates the "Climate Resiliency Fund" to finance projects addressing climate change impacts in Tennessee. It requires fossil fuel businesses (coal, oil, gas) operating between 1995 and 2025 to pay cost recovery fees based on their greenhouse gas emissions into the fund. The fund will support climate adaptation projects like flood protections, infrastructure upgrades, and healthcare programs, with priority given to communities designated as "environmental justice focus populations" (low-income, high-minority, or limited English proficiency areas). The bill defines specific eligible projects, including nature-based solutions, stormwater system improvements, and resilience planning for vulnerable infrastructure.

Maddy summarySB 143 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to provide free diapers to new mothers or working parents/guardians of children under age two upon request, excluding those already enrolled in TennCare or CoverKids programs. It also mandates that all public schools (including charter schools) provide free feminine hygiene products in women's and girls' bathrooms and locker rooms for students in grades 4-12, with the state reimbursing schools for these costs. The bill directs the Department of Health to create public health campaigns promoting both diaper access and feminine hygiene product availability. These provisions apply starting July 1, 2025, for the 2025-2026 school year and beyond.

Maddy summarySB 142 requires all Tennessee public school districts (local education agencies) to provide free breakfast and lunch to every student enrolled in their schools, effective for the 2025-2026 school year. The bill mandates school boards to establish these programs and specifies that the state will reimburse districts for meal costs after all applicable federal funds (from programs like the National School Lunch Act) have been applied. This eliminates the current system where meals were only free for qualifying low-income students, making meals universal for all students. The law applies to every public school under a district's jurisdiction and shifts the financial responsibility for uncovered costs from local districts to the state.

Maddy summaryThis law establishes a study committee to examine whether creating formal parenting plans would help maintain relationships between incarcerated parents and their children in Tennessee. The committee includes representatives from the legislature, corrections, children's services, and the courts, who will meet to evaluate the potential benefits of such plans. By December 1, 2024, the group must submit a report with findings, a sample parenting plan, and any suggested laws to the state's legislative committees. The committee will officially end its work after issuing a final report by February 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis law changes the age range for indecent exposure offenses in Tennessee to include victims up to 18 years old, rather than stopping at 17. It specifically updates the state code to ensure that exposing oneself in public is treated as a crime regardless of whether the victim is a minor or an adult. The changes apply to any prohibited behavior that happens on or after July 1, 2024.

Maddy summaryThis bill requires health insurance plans in Tennessee to cover prostate cancer screenings for high-risk men without charging deductibles, copayments, or coinsurance. It specifically mandates coverage for African-American men and those with a family history of prostate cancer starting at age 40, while also covering all men aged 50 and older. The law applies to most private and public health insurance policies but includes an exception for high-deductible plans until the minimum deductible is met. Effective July 1, 2024, the act aims to improve early detection rates by removing financial barriers to screening for at-risk populations.