Sen. Becky Massey

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Avery York, the 2026 Salutatorian of South-Doyle High School, for her outstanding academic performance. The bill formally recognizes her high grade point average and her ability to balance studies with extracurricular activities. It directs the state to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to the student as a gesture of commendation. This measure does not change any laws or policies but serves as an official expression of appreciation from the Tennessee legislature.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Jacob Donaldson, the 2026 Salutatorian at Gibbs High School, for his outstanding academic performance. The measure formally commends his high grade point average and successful balance of studies with extracurricular activities. It directs the preparation of a copy of the resolution to be presented to the student as a gesture of recognition. This document serves as an official acknowledgment of his achievement rather than a change to state law or policy.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors Mikel Van Pelt, the 2026 Salutatorian at Gibbs High School, for his academic excellence. The measure formally recognizes his high grade point average and successful participation in extracurricular activities during his high school career. It directs the state to prepare a copy of the resolution for presentation to the student as a gesture of commendation. This action serves as a public acknowledgment of his achievements rather than establishing new laws or policies.

Maddy summarySB 2355 requires juvenile court clerks in Tennessee to report the total amount of guardian ad litem administrative fees that were not waived but also not collected. This applies directly to juvenile court clerks, who must include this specific data in their monthly reports to the administrative director of the courts and the comptroller. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 16, 20, 33, 34, 36, and 37) to add this reporting requirement. The change focuses on transparency around uncollected fees, without altering fee amounts or eligibility.

Maddy summarySB 2362 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services (DCS) to partner with the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA) to better serve children with intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD) in state custody or at risk of entering custody. The bill mandates DDA expertise for five key areas: assessing children's needs and services, determining appropriate placements, overseeing placements and quality, training DCS staff and providers, and coordinating disability-specific care. DCS must implement DDA's recommendations and submit annual reports to legislative committees starting in 2027, tracking referrals, evaluations, placements, oversight findings, and training status. This directly affects children with I/DD in state custody or at risk, ensuring their care aligns with DDA's specialized expertise.

Maddy summarySenate Joint Resolution 1205 is a commemorative measure that honors Knox County Sheriff Tom Spangler for his career in law enforcement. The resolution acknowledges his service history, including his time as a corrections officer, narcotics detective, and Chief Deputy, as well as his current role as Sheriff since 2018. It formally thanks him for more than forty-five years of public service and authorizes the presentation of a copy of the resolution to him.

Maddy summarySB 1848 amends Tennessee law to expand access to buprenorphine treatment for opioid use disorder by allowing more healthcare providers (beyond physicians) to directly administer buprenorphine without naloxone, acting within their scope of practice. The bill specifically permits prescribing to nursing mothers and patients with documented adverse reactions to naloxone, and clarifies that prescribing injectable forms doesn't restrict providers from prescribing buprenorphine without naloxone. These changes aim to streamline treatment options while maintaining safety protocols for specific patient groups. The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 53-11-311(b)(1) and (c)(2).

Maddy summarySB 609 (Tennessee) amends state law to increase the frequency of guaranteed communication between non-custodial parents and their children from twice weekly to three times weekly via phone or video call, when technology is available for both parties. This change directly affects parents who do not have physical custody of their children in Tennessee custody cases. The bill specifically revises Tennessee Code Annotated Section 36-6-101(a)(3)(B)(i) to replace "twice" with "three (3) times" for these unimpeded communication rights. It does not alter custody arrangements or financial support obligations, focusing solely on communication frequency. The bill was introduced in the Tennessee Senate on January 31, 2025, and passed its first committee consideration on February 10, 2025.

Maddy summaryThis Senate Resolution honors Do Something Tennessee Day, scheduled for May 1, 2026, to recognize the efforts of youth, families, schools, and community organizations in volunteer service. The document formally commends these participants and acknowledges the initiative led by Miss Knoxville Meghan Gadsden, which aims to mobilize people across major Tennessee cities for coordinated service projects. While the resolution does not create new laws or funding, it serves as an official state endorsement of the day's activities and the broader goal of strengthening youth civic engagement.

Maddy summaryThis Senate resolution honors the contributions of Arab Americans to Tennessee society during National Arab American Heritage Month in April 2026. The bill formally recognizes the community's historical achievements in fields such as medicine, law, business, and public service while promoting cultural understanding and countering misconceptions. No new laws or funding are created; the measure serves solely as a symbolic acknowledgment of Arab American heritage and values.