Sen. London Lamar

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial resolution (not a law) honoring the Tennessee Cluster and South Eastern Region of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. It recognizes the sorority's members and leaders for their community service, historical contributions, and 100+ years of work in Tennessee, Mississippi, and Alabama. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it simply expresses the Tennessee Senate's appreciation through a formal statement. It was unanimously passed and signed by the Senate leadership in March 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1120 requires professional sports franchises to include a clause in contracts with personal seat license (PSL) holders who have held their license for 10 or more years. This clause ensures those holders can purchase an upgraded or improved seat at the same price they originally paid for their seat. The law applies to contracts for seat upgrades at stadiums in counties with over 500,000 residents (per 2020 census) and 65,000+ seating capacity. It affects new contracts entered into after the bill's effective date, preventing price increases for long-term fans upgrading seats.

Maddy summarySB 1257, the "Pay Stub Protection Act," requires Tennessee employers to provide employees with a detailed pay stub on payday containing specific wage and work information. The pay stub must include the employee's name, address, employer's name, gross and net wages, each deduction's purpose, pay period dates, and for hourly workers, total hours worked, hourly rate, and overtime hours. If an employee doesn't receive a required pay stub, they can request it in writing, and the employer must provide it within 10 days. For repeated violations after a warning, the Department of Labor may impose civil penalties of $50 to $500 per violation.

Maddy summarySB 403 requires Tennessee healthcare facilities receiving public funds (like Medicaid reimbursements) to cover uncompensated care costs to cancel debt equal to that funding for eligible patients. Facilities must notify patients whose debt is canceled and cannot pursue legal action for the canceled amount. The bill also mandates annual reports from the Department of Health and TennCare on uncompensated care payments to the legislature. It directly affects hospitals receiving public funds for charity care and patients with outstanding medical debt.

Maddy summarySB 956 reduces waiting periods for expunging certain criminal records in Tennessee. It shortens the required time from 5 years to 3 years for misdemeanors or Class E felonies, and from 10 years to 6 years for Class D felonies after completing a sentence. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 40-32-101(g)(2)(B) and (k)(1)(C) to implement these changes. This affects individuals seeking to clear eligible criminal records for specific offense types. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 958 creates a Community Grant Advisory Board within Tennessee’s Department of Human Services to administer grants for eligible nonprofit organizations. The bill establishes a special fund to provide financial support ranging from $10,000 to $100,000 per grant to 501(c)(3) nonprofits serving communities in education, public health, housing, social services, or economic development. Applicants must demonstrate need, outline project plans with measurable outcomes, and prioritize community-driven solutions. The program requires annual reporting by the board and grant recipients, with an initial $1 million appropriation planned for fiscal year 2025-2026.

Maddy summarySB 1256 requires Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration, working with the Department of Health and TennCare, to apply for federal approval by January 1, 2026, to import prescription drugs from Canada. The bill mandates that the application must prove imported drugs meet federal/state safety standards, comply with supply chain laws, list cost-saving drugs, and estimate annual savings versus importation costs. If approved, the state would implement a program focused on the most cost-effective drugs for TennCare (state Medicaid) and residents. This bill does not directly change drug prices or guarantee savings but sets a process for potential future cost reductions through federal approval. It affects state Medicaid programs and residents relying on prescription medications.

Maddy summarySB 190 requires employers to continue providing health insurance coverage under an employer-sponsored plan to employees terminated while pregnant, until the pregnancy ends. It directly affects pregnant employees covered by such plans who lose their jobs and employers offering those plans. Key provisions mandate employers to keep paying their share of premiums and prevent insurers from dropping coverage without written proof the pregnancy ended, while requiring employees to notify employers in writing within 30 days after pregnancy concludes. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 959 allows individuals serving 8+ years in prison for crimes committed before January 1, 2026, to request a new sentencing hearing if they were victims of domestic abuse (physical, sexual, or psychological) inflicted by a family or household member at the time of the offense. To apply, they must submit court records, police reports, or other verified evidence proving their abuse history and current sentence eligibility. Courts will review prison program participation (like domestic violence counseling) and abuse history but cannot reconsider the original conviction. If approved, the court may reduce the sentence while crediting time already served.

Maddy summaryThis is a ceremonial Senate Resolution (SR 17) honoring Carlissa A. Shaw, a Memphis attorney, advocate, and community leader. It recognizes her decades of work founding The CASE FIRM, co-founding Esquire Investments and the Memphis Women's Expo, and serving in roles like Shelby County Assistant County Attorney and Civilian Law Enforcement Review Board co-chair. The resolution formally commends her contributions to Tennessee during "Women's Day on the Hill" celebrations. As a symbolic gesture with no policy changes or funding, it does not affect laws or regulations.