Sen. London Lamar

Maddy summarySB 1681 requires Tennessee hospital emergency departments to provide an immediate medical screening examination to any pregnant woman presenting with active labor or an emergency medical condition. It prohibits transfers before stabilization (as defined by federal EMTALA standards) unless the woman or her authorized representative provides written consent after being informed of risks and benefits. The bill applies directly to hospitals and pregnant women seeking emergency care, mandating that facilities offer appropriate treatment or transfer under specific conditions. Violations may result in penalties and licensing sanctions, as the law amends Tennessee Codes Title 63 and Title 68.

Maddy summarySB 1255 requires Tennessee’s Department of Health to mandate blood lead level testing for all students before attending public K-12 schools and for pregnant women receiving WIC program vouchers. It directs the department to provide support services - including nutritional counseling and educational resources - for individuals with elevated lead levels or lead poisoning. Juvenile detention facilities receiving federal funding must collaborate with health and education agencies to offer these services to detained youth with high lead levels. The bill affects students, pregnant women in WIC, and detained youth, with parental opt-out allowed for school testing.

Maddy summaryThis legislative resolution formally commends Bennie Smith of Shelby County for his service on the Tennessee State Election Commission. It recognizes his professional contributions to election integrity and public governance during his tenure, which concluded recently. The bill does not alter any laws or policies but serves as an official acknowledgment of his work and dedication to the state.

Maddy summarySB 2286 requires Tennessee's Commissioner of Health to study how neighboring states grant practice independence to certified nurse midwives. The study will examine varying levels of practice authority in those states, and the commissioner must compile findings and recommendations into a report to be delivered to the legislature by December 31, 2026. This bill does not change current laws or midwife practice rules - it only mandates a research study. The study will inform future legislative decisions but does not directly affect midwives, patients, or healthcare providers. The bill is procedural and focuses solely on gathering comparative data.

Maddy summarySB 1597 amends Tennessee law to expand access to death certificate information and the ability to challenge medical examiner findings. It allows a surviving parent (not just other next of kin) to formally disagree with a county medical examiner's suicide determination for their child and request reconsideration by the state chief medical examiner. The bill also permits the other parent of a minor child (under 18) to request a copy of the child's death certificate. These changes update definitions in Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 68-3-502 and 68-3-205 to clarify who qualifies as "next of kin" and who may request death certificates. The bill focuses on procedural access for specific family members following a death.

Maddy summarySB 2621 caps noneconomic damages at $1 million in medical malpractice lawsuits involving obstetric or maternity negligence that causes the death or permanent injury of a pregnant or postpartum woman. It directly affects patients, families, and healthcare providers in Tennessee by limiting compensation for non-monetary harms like pain and suffering in these specific cases. The bill amends Tennessee law to override existing damage award rules for health care liability actions under Title 29, Chapter 26. This change applies only to cases meeting the defined criteria of negligence resulting in death or permanent injury during pregnancy or postpartum care. The legislation does not affect economic damages (such as medical bills) or other types of medical malpractice claims.

Maddy summarySB 1565 would authorize Tennessee's Department of Health to use federal Title V maternal and child health funds (subject to federal approval) to create a program for women who experience stillbirth. The program would provide financial assistance to cover burial or disposition costs for stillborn children and fund educational scholarships for affected women. It requires the commissioner to seek any necessary federal waivers to implement the program. The bill amends Tennessee health codes to establish this support mechanism for women who have endured pregnancy loss.

Maddy summarySB 1599 prohibits Tennessee courts from charging defendants with court costs in criminal cases when the defendant is found not guilty (by jury or judge), charges are dismissed by the prosecution or court, or the state enters a nolle prosequi. It directly affects criminal defendants who are acquitted or have charges dropped, ensuring they won't face additional financial penalties for those outcomes. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 39-11-102 and 40-25-123 to establish this rule, effective July 1, 2026. This policy change removes a financial burden for acquitted defendants, aligning court cost assessments with case outcomes.

Maddy summarySB 45 would add a new sentencing factor for judges in Tennessee: when sentencing an adult who committed a criminal offense with a minor, judges must consider this fact as an enhancement within the existing sentencing range. This applies regardless of whether the minor was convicted of the offense. The bill amends Tennessee law (Title 39 and Title 40) to require this consideration for all relevant criminal cases. The change would affect adult defendants in cases involving minors, making it a factor judges must weigh during sentencing decisions, but it does not alter the maximum or minimum sentences. The law would take effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 188 exempts feminine hygiene products (including tampons, pads, liners, cups, and douches) from sales tax during Tennessee's annual sales tax holiday. This bill amends the state tax code to explicitly add these items to the list of exempt products under Section 67-6-393. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, directly affecting consumers who purchase these products during the tax holiday period. The bill defines "feminine hygiene product" as items used for menstruation or genital-tract secretions, aligning with existing tax exemption categories.