Legislative Updates for Tennessee's Licensed Health Professionals

Pub. Ch. 535

As enacted, extends the board of veterinary medical examiners to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 537

As enacted, extends the state Alzheimer's disease and related dementia advisory council to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 538

As enacted, extends the Tennessee child fatality prevention team to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 554

As enacted, extends the board of examiners in psychology to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 555

As enacted, extends the board of social worker licensure to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 563

As enacted, extends the Interstate Medical Licensure Compact to June 30, 2034.

Pub. Ch. 566

As enacted, extends the professional art therapist advisory committee of the board of examiners in psychology to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 598

As enacted, requires each LEA and public charter school to administer the Presidential Fitness Test to students to assess their strength, endurance, and flexibility.

Pub. Ch. 620

As enacted, requires a local governing body subject to the open meetings laws to reserve a period of public comment to provide the public with the opportunity to comment on any matter germane to the jurisdiction of the governing body, regardless of whether the matter is listed on the agenda for the meeting.

Pub. Ch. 633

As introduced, extends the Audiology and Speech-Language Pathology Interstate Compact to June 30, 2034.

Pub. Ch. 634

As introduced, extends the board of chiropractic examiners to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 635

As introduced, extends the board of communications disorders and sciences to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 636

As introduced, extends the board of dentistry to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 637

As introduced, extends the board of dispensing opticians to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 638

As introduced, extends the board of optometry to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 639

As introduced, extends the board of podiatric medical examiners to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 640

As introduced, extends the committee for clinical perfusionists to June 30, 2031.

Pub. Ch. 643

As introduced, extends the Occupational Therapy Licensure Compact to June 30, 2034.

Pub. Ch. 647

As introduced, prohibits a person from developing or deploying an artificial intelligence system that advertises or represents to the public that such system is or is able to act as a qualified mental health professional.

Pub. Ch. 884

As introduced, expands the scope of practice for athletic trainers by authorizing them to treat conditions that limit or prevent a person’s participation in certain physical activities rather than just treating injuries that limit or prevent such participation.

Pub. Ch. 714

As introduced, redefines the practice of optometry, which includes permitting an optometrist to perform a board-approved surgical procedure for the correction and relief of an ocular abnormality, except for certain listed procedures

Pub. Ch. 977

As introduced, enacts the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Act."

Pub. Ch. 1002

As introduced, enacts the "Dietetics and Nutrition Practice Act," which rewrites the requirements for licensure for the practice of dietetics and nutrition and makes other related changes

Pub. Ch. 675

As introduced, changes the scope of practice of a podiatrist from a person who examines, diagnoses, or treats, in addition to the ailments of the human foot and ankle, the soft tissue of the lower leg distal to the tibial tuberosity

Pub. Ch. 813

As introduced, revises various provisions regarding medication aides, including allowing for a student in good standing enrolled in an approved school of nursing to be eligible to receive a medication aide certificate

Pub. Ch. 713

As introduced enacts the "Tennessee K-9 Emergency Medical Care and Transport Act." Allows emergency medical services personnel to transport and provide emergency care to a canine first responder.

Pub. Ch. 900

As introduced, requires the board of medical examiners to issue a provisional foreign training license of two years, which may be extended for an additional one year, to an internationally trained physician

Pub. Ch. 848

As introduced, enacts the "Tennessee Nursing Education Integrity and Oversight Act." This bill creates a temporary moratorium on the acceptance and approval of applications by the board of nursing ("board") from nursing education programs located outside this state that seek approval from the board to operate, enroll students, or place students for clinical experiences within this state.

Pub. Ch. 861

As introduced, requires the department of health to make available to the public on its website all inspection criteria required for compliance by pain management clinics; makes other changes relative to pain management.

Pub. Ch. 883

As introduced, clarifies that a child's parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian may access and review all health and medical records of the child, including those records related to treatments available to unemancipated minors without parental consent; allows an employee of a local education agency to provide bandages, gauze, or ice packs for the treatment of minor cuts, scrapes, bumps, and bruises

Pub. Ch. 932

As introduced, requires gender clinics accepting funds from this state to perform gender transition procedures to also perform detransition procedures; requires insurance entities providing coverage of gender transition procedures to also cover detransition procedures; requires certain gender clinics and insurance entities to report information regarding detransition procedures to the department of health.

Pub. Ch. 817

As introduced, clarifies that one of the persons appointed to the medical cannabis commission by the speaker of the senate must be a specialist in the area of substance abuse prevention; requires the speaker to select the member from a list of three names submitted by the Prevention Alliance of Tennessee, with the member to be appointed by the speaker

Pub. Ch. 1107

Authorizes a dental hygienist working under the direct supervision of a dentist to complete diagnostic radiographs; assess and record existing hard and soft tissue data; perform prophylaxis on new or existing patients; and apply fluoride agents. The dental hygienist may take such actions prior to a dentist seeing a new patient. For existing patients, a dental hygienist may perform such actions under the general supervision of a dentist.

Pub. Ch. 754

As introduced, removes certain listed nonprofits from the definition of food service establishment without regard to whether volunteer personnel for such listed nonprofits prepared, served, transported, or stored the food on consecutive or nonconsecutive days

Pub. Ch. 737

As introduced, changes references to marital and family therapists to marriage and family therapists throughout the code, and makes other changes relative to marriage and family therapists

Pub. Ch. 1139

As introduced, creates a certification requirement to practice in assisted reproductive technology; requires the department of health to create a certification process for fertility clinics and makes other related changes

Pub. Ch. 955

As introduced, specifies in various provisions that for a person to be eligible for a particular license, certificate, permit, or authorization, the person must be a citizen of the United States or a qualified alien.

Pub. Ch. 1111

As introduced, enacts the "Freedom, Access, and Integrity in Registered Pharmacy (FAIR Rx) Act." Prohibits a person or entity from directly or indirectly owning, operating, controlling, or directing the operation of, the whole or part of any pharmacy and either a health insurance issuer or a pharmacy benefits manager. Such prohibition takes effect on January 1, 2028, and applies when the percentage of ownership interest held by a person, entity, or affiliate is greater than 5%.

Pub. Ch. 1080

As introduced, prohibits hospital emergency departments from denying an appropriate medical screening examination to a pregnant woman who presents at the emergency department reporting to be in active labor or experiencing an emergency medical condition; prohibits transferring the pregnant woman unless her condition has been stabilized; requires that a transfer be under certain conditions and only upon the recommendation of an examining physician or qualified medical professional.

Pub. Ch. 748

As introduced, prohibits a healthcare provider from asking certain listed gender-related questions to a minor unless a parent is physically present and fully informed and provides written consent to such questions and the questions are directly related to the diagnosis or treatment of a specific medical or psychological condition currently being evaluated; makes other related changes

Pub. Ch. 728

As introduced, requires the commissioner of health to use existing resources to conduct a study of neighboring states to examine the varying levels of practice independence that may or may not be granted to certified nurse midwives in such states; requires the commissioner to compile the findings of the study and any recommendations in a report and transmit the report to the general assembly no later than December 31, 2026

Pub. Ch. 666

As introduced, authorizes a surviving parent, in addition to another next of kin, to formally disagree with the county medical examiner's determination that the manner of death for the parent's child was suicide and request reconsideration from the state chief medical examiner; allows the other parent of a child of the decedent to request a copy of the decedent's death certificate if the child is under 18 years of age

Pub. Ch. 965

As introduced allows a paramedic may make an actual determination and pronouncement of death if the paramedic has successfully completed training in the determination and pronouncement of death

Pub. Ch. 677

As enacted, adds that a healthcare provider who subcontracts through the contracted healthcare vendor with the department of correction may prescribe a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder if other certain listed criteria are met.

Pub. Ch. 697

As introduced, adds clinical informatics, lifestyle medicine, and medical virtualist to the list of words or abbreviations that a person may attach to a name to indicate or induce another person to believe that the person is engaged in the practice of medicine or osteopathic medicine.

Pub. Ch. 755

As introduced, allows a physician assistant to delegate medication administration to a certified medical assistant; adds categories of medications to the list of medications that a certified medical assistant is authorized to administer or prepare, and makes other related changes.

Pub. Ch. 773

As introduced, directs the department of health to test for the presence of sickle cell trait in each newborn and, if the test results are positive for sickle cell trait, to notify the parent or legal guardian of the newborn tested as soon as practicable.

Pub. Ch. 794

As introduced, creates a civil cause of action against a healthcare professional by a person who suffered an injury that resulted from certain medical procedures if the reason the person, or the person's parent, guardian, or legal representative, consented to the medical procedure was due in whole or in part to coercion by the healthcare professional.

Pub. Ch. 796

As introduced, removes requirement that persons seeking licensure as speech language pathologists be members of the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

Pub. Ch. 800

As introduced, authorizes the department to establish and administer an early childhood mental health home visiting program as a voluntary, evidence-based and home-based intervention to promote the mental health, developmental progress, and family stability of children from birth to five years of age and their families.

Pub. Ch. 813

As introduced, revises various provisions regarding medication aides, including allowing for a student in good standing enrolled in an approved school of nursing to be eligible to receive a medication aide certificate.

Pub. Ch. 935

This bill prohibits a physician or podiatrist from prescribing, dispensing, or administering medication for, or otherwise treating, the physician's or podiatrist's own self or immediate family, except in minor, self-limited, short-term, or urgent, emergency situations. However, a physician may prescribe, dispense, or administer medication for, or otherwise treat, immediate family within the physician's regular scope of practice if there is no other physician offering healthcare services at a location within 30 miles of the physician's primary practice site.

Pub. Ch. 1016

As introduced, establishes requirements for the retrieval, manufacture, storage, and use of stem cells used for stem cell therapy. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

Pub. Ch. 1041

CORE ACT (DOH’s Admin Bill) – Cleans up various reporting requirements, modifies the definition of palliative care, gives the commissioner of the department emergency rulemaking authority under certain circumstances, and adds psychologists to the list of professionals that must complete board-approved suicide training every four years.

Pub. Ch. 857

As introduced, requires at least one hour of the board of medical examiners' required continuing education hours to be completed on topics related to nutrition; requires the same of the board of osteopathic examination.

Pub. Ch. 887

As introduced, removes acute care hospitals from the requirement of obtaining a certificate of need beginning July 1, 2028.

Pub. Ch. 897

As enacted, requires a law enforcement officer to cause to be administered by a qualified practitioner at a hospital a blood or urine test on a person for the presence of a psychotropic drug if such officer has probable cause to believe that the person committed a mass shooting; directs the health science center to study the drug interactions between any drugs found in the person's blood or urine.

Pub. Ch. 904

As enacted, provides that any certificate of public advantage in effect on June 30, 2028, automatically expires but any pricing restrictions in a certificate of advantage remain in effect until the fifth anniversary of the expiration date or the date that a new inpatient acute care hospital opens in the geographic service area, whichever is earlier; requires the attorney general to supervise any pricing restrictions still in effect, and the pricing restrictions may only be modified by the mutual written agreement of the attorney general and the entity subject to the restrictions; makes related changes.

Pub. Ch. 922

As introduced, lowers the age of an inpatient from 65 to 50 or older when a hospital, each year from October 1 through March 1, must offer immunization against influenza disease prior to discharge; requires a hospital to offer immunization against pneumococcal disease to an inpatient aged 50 or older prior to discharge.

Pub. Ch. 947

As introduced, expands the prescribed forms of epinephrine that an LEA or nonpublic school is authorized to administer when a student is believed to be experiencing a life-threatening allergic or anaphylactic reaction to any prescribed form of epinephrine, not just epinephrine auto-injectors.

Pub. Ch. 1106

As introduced, adds local governments to the entities that must verify that each applicant for public benefits is a United States citizen or lawfully present in the United States; authorizes the attorney general and reporter to investigate violations of requirements for verification of citizenship or presence for public benefits; requires certain reporting related to such verification for benefits.

Pub. Ch. 827

As enacted, authorizes, effective January 1, 2027, temporary placards to be issued to a female who has a pregnancy certified to be high risk by her physician.

Pub. Ch. 940

The bill creates the Caring for Caregivers Act, establishing a pilot grant program administered by the Department of Disability and Aging through December 31, 2027, to provide grants of up to $6,000 to eligible family caregivers to help cover qualifying caregiving expenses for family members with significant care needs."

Pub. Ch. 1019

As introduced, specifies that a good faith disclosure of information related to an activity of a quality improvement committee (QIC) made by a healthcare provider or healthcare organization to a patient or a family member of a patient is not a waiver of the privilege and confidentiality protections provider under current law and makes other related changes.

Pub. Ch. 1008

Provides that if no objection is filed by the commissioner of mental health and substance abuse services and the commissioner of health for a substance that is approved by the FDA and designated or scheduled under federal law by a final order published in the Federal Register, then the substance is considered to be in the same schedule as such substance is designated or scheduled under the federal schedule of controlled substances after the expiration of 30 days from the date of publication of the final order. Any such designation or scheduling is effective immediately after the expiration of 30 days from the date of publication of the final order and is not contingent on the annual revision and republishing of schedules pursuant to present law.

Pub. Ch. 880

As introduced, increases the amount of products containing ephedrine or pseudoephedrine a person may purchase in a one-year period from 43.2 grams to 61.2 grams; changes references to the "National Precursor Log Exchange" to the "electronic sales tracking system"; requires any manufacturer of an ephedrine or pseudoephedrine product that is sold in or into this state to, on a monthly basis, pay fees to the administrator of the electronic sales tracking system.

Pub. Ch. 923

As introduced, requires certain insurers to reimburse chiropractic physicians at the same rate as physicians for the same services.

Pub. Ch. 779

As enacted, allows for eligible employees to be absent 4 weeks from work following a living organ donation surgery; requires the department of health to create living organ donor informational material and make such material available on the department's website.

Pub. Ch. 789

As enacted, clarifies that if marijuana is rescheduled or deleted as a controlled substance under federal law, the commissioner is prohibited from rescheduling or deleting marijuana under state law, unless the general assembly has established a regulatory framework for marijuana and authorized the commissioner to reschedule or delete marijuana as a controlled substance.

Pub. Ch. 1081

As introduced, enacts the "Military Families Licensing Recognition Act." The bill requires Tennessee licensing authorities to comply with applicable federal law recognizing occupational licenses held by eligible active-duty servicemembers and their spouses who relocate to Tennessee under military orders or relocate to a contiguous state and seek employment in Tennessee. It updates statutory definitions to conform to federal law, clarifies that the act does not affect other licensure pathways or interstate licensure compacts, and requires licensing authorities to notify applicants of the availability of military license recognition.

Pub. Ch. 994

As introduced, enacts the "Regulatory Freedom Act of 2026." This legislation requires agencies whose rules must be approved by the general assembly to prominently publish the new or amended rule on its home page during the 45-day period prior to the public hearing. Additionally requires a good faith effort to notify each trade association or organization known to represent the regulated community that may be fiscally impacted by a new or amended rule.

PC 45 HB192 / SB282

As enacted, enacts the "Individualized Investigational Treatment Act." Outlines a patient’s right to seek treatment with an individualized investigational treatment and that a healthcare provider is protected against disciplinary action taken by the licensing board based solely on the provider’s recommendation regarding access or treatment with an individualized investigational treatment - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 63.  - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 63.

*PC 46 HB111 / SB1283

As enacted, adds Hepatitis C to the list of serological tests run at the time of the first examination for pregnant women. Removes Hepatitis B and adds a second Syphilis screening for all pregnant women between the 28^th and 32^nd week of gestation. Also, adds a third Syphilis screening for all pregnant women at the time of delivery.

PC 56 HB383 / SB 744

As enacted, directs the commissioner of health to, on or before July 1, 2025, add alpha-gal syndrome to the department of health's published list of reportable diseases and conditions, the occurrence of which must be reported to the department by a healthcare provider pursuant to existing administrative rule. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 63 and Title 68. 

PC 69 HB1226 / SB669

As enacted, deletes all references to the world health organization; requires a pandemic to be declared by the federal centers for disease and prevention control, rather than the world health organization, with a subsequent declaration of a state of emergency by the governor for the governor to have exclusive jurisdiction to issue executive orders and directives related to the pandemic until the pandemic ceases to exist. - Amends TCA Title 7 and Title 68. 

PC 100 HB657 / SB619

As enacted, allows a healthcare provider to petition a relevant board after completing a peer assistance or treatment program contract to remove information from the public-facing licensure verification website regarding the adverse action and the order by the relevant board after five years from the completion date of that program or contract indicated in such order; authorizes the division of health related boards to promulgate rules to effectuate such petition process. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 63 and Title 68. 

PC 125 HB1074 / SB1063

As enacted, removes the requirement that a provider notify a patient of communication between the provider and a health insurance entity or healthcare facility concerning additional information needed to process a prior authorization request for the patient; removes the requirement that an utilization review agent notify the enrollee and the provider or healthcare facility when additional information is needed from the enrollee, provider, or healthcare facility to make a determination on the request for prior authorization. - Amends TCA Title 56 and Title 63, Chapter 1. 

*PC 127 HB1311 / SB1284

As enacted, removes requirement that a license issued by a health related board be signed by members of the board prior to such issuance; authorizes the presiding officer to divide the board into panels to conduct contested case hearings or disciplinary matters; includes patient billing records as part of the medical and practice records that providers must make available for inspection upon the department's request; clarifies that identifying information of certain parties to a contested case hearing involving disciplinary charges filed against a provider must only be produced by the provider in response to a subpoena from a law enforcement agency.  - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 63 and Title 68.

PC 213 HB510 / SB554

As enacted, enacts the "Tennessee Physician Workforce Information Act." Requires the Department of Health to contact qualified medical organizations in Tennessee and request information on challenges, opportunities, and solutions related to physician workforce sustainability, including burnout, policy needs, training, access to care, and national trends. Amends TCA Title 4; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68. 

PC 217 HB990 / SB1004

As enacted, creates definitions for "inevitable abortion" and "serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function" providing more clarity to physicians in determining when a condition could qualify for an abortion to be performed that is not considered criminal - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 29; Title 33; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 53; Title 56; Title 62; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

PC 247 HB533 / SB449

As enacted, enacts the "Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act." Outlines protections for fertility treatment and contraception - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68. 

PC 266 HB1044 / SB955

As enacted, creates the "Medical Ethics Defense Act." Grants healthcare providers the legal right to decline to participate in or fund any healthcare procedure, treatment, or service that violates their conscience. - Amends TCA Title 63. 

PC 272 HB1349 / SB1146

As enacted, requires the medical examiner's office to ascertain and document current drug use, including psychotropic drugs, by a deceased individual who committed a mass shooting; directs the University of Tennessee's health science center to study drug interactions between the psychotropic drugs and any other drugs present in the deceased individual's system; requires the department of health to disclose the psychotropic drug use of the individual to the public upon request. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68. 

PC 294 HB1237 / SB1235

As enacted, prohibits the exclusion of persons from membership on state regulatory and health-related boards on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, and national origin; prohibits such boards from establishing or operating under race-based policies pertaining to their composition; creates a private cause of action against a board and its officers, employees, and agents for such practices; removes requirement that appointing authorities strive to ensure certain boards and commissions are represented by members of racial minorities. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 21; Title 9; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68. 

PC 317 HB1203 / SB359

As enacted, authorizes the board of medical examiners and board of osteopathic examination to issue a license subject to a private advocacy order which requires the applicant to participate in a peer assistance program approved by the board; designates private advocacy orders as confidential and not public records, as long as the provider does not fail to maintain participation in the peer assistance program and requires the initiation of disciplinary proceedings by the board. - Amends TCA Title 63. 

PC 339 HB495 / SB606

As enacted, rewrites the fee limits for a party requesting a patient's medical record in either paper or electronic format from a provider or the provider's third-party release of information provider. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68. 

PC 346 HB760 / SB817

As enacted, authorizes a healthcare practitioner to prescribe and a pharmacist to dispense a prescribed, bronchodilator rescue inhaler to an authorized entity to be administered to a person believed to be experiencing asthma symptoms or respiratory distress in an emergency situation, under a standing protocol from the healthcare practitioner; encourages schools in LEAs and public charter schools to keep bronchodilator rescue inhalers to be administered to students believed to be having asthma symptoms or in respiratory distress in an emergency situation. - Amends TCA Title 49; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68. 

PC 347 HB826 / SB895

As enacted, outlines parental consent regarding medical treatment and video or voice recording of children on school property, as well as absences from school due to religious holidays- Amends TCA Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68. 

PC 361 HB318 / SB263

 As enacted, prohibits the enforcement and recognition of requirements or mandates issued by the World Health Organization, United Nations, or World Economic Forum in this state or its political subdivisions. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 1, Part 4.

PC390 HB1355 / SB1052

As enacted, specifies that a biological father or alleged biological father who makes token financial support to or for the benefit of a child or the child's mother during the pregnancy or when the mother had physical custody of the child is not a putative father; makes various other changes regarding final orders of adoption. Adds to the list of persons a healthcare provider can get informed consent from before vaccinating a minor to include biological, legal, adoptive parent, potential adoptive parent or individual granted medical decision-making authority over a child under state law - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 63. 

*PC 400 HB1310 / SB1282

 As enacted, deletes present laws pertaining to rented premises unfit for habitation and quick fast food establishment delivery vehicles; removes the statutorily set permit fees to operate food service establishments and requires such permit fees to be set by rule; makes other revisions to present laws pertaining to food service and safety. - Amends TCA Section 53-8-103; Title 68, Chapter 110; Title 68, Chapter 111; Title 68, Chapter 14 and Title 68, Chapter 15.

HB923 / SB1084

As enacted, enacts the "Dismantling DEI Departments Act." Prohibits a department, agency, or other unit of state government from use of a discriminatory preference in an effort to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion or establish or maintain an office, division, or department for such purposes. Sets exemptions for public health, medical research, or disease prevention programs   - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 49, Chapter 7.

HB622 / SB1083F

As enacted, enacts the “Dismantle DEI Act,” which prohibits local governments and public institutions of higher education from basing hiring decisions on any metrics that consider an applicant’s race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, or disability, or hiring a particular candidate to achieve any goals to increase diversity, equity, or inclusion in the workplace. – Amends TCA Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 49. 

HB1330 / SB1316

As introduced, enacts the “Less is More Act of 2025.” – Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 20; Title 33; Title 38; Title 40; Title 52; Title 55; Title 62; Title 63; Title 68; Title 70 and Title 76.

HB869 / SB890

 As enacted, deletes the 72 hour pause on certain lab results, requiring labs to fully comply with federal information blocking requirements. Also outlines requirements for insurance entities to establish and maintain certain application programming interfaces as described in federal code for the benefit of insureds - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 47; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68. 

HB979 / SB764

 As enacted, establishes rules around which types of physicians can be employed by hospitals in different counties, with specific restrictions for specialties like radiologists, anesthesiologists, pathologists, and emergency physicians. It also defines conditions under which these physicians can be employed, including ensuring medical decision-making is not interfered with by the employing hospital. Establishes a licensing system for anesthesiologist assistants in Tennessee, setting requirements for education, certification, and supervision, and outlining their scope of practice under the direct oversight of a licensed anesthesiologist. - Amends TCA Title 47; Title 63 and Title 68. 

PC.557 SB2074/HB1678

As enacted, transfers certain duties and authority regarding data reported by health facilities from the executive director of the health facilities commission to the department; requires licensed birthing centers to report claims data on discharges to the department at least quarterly; removes requirement that an owner of a hospital that closes must submit to the department a report of the statistical particulars relative to the hospital's patients for the fiscal year.

PC.561 SB2075/HB1679

As enacted, generally prohibits a licensed dentist from allowing, under general supervision, more than three dental hygienists to work at any one time; authorizes a dentist to supervise, under direct supervision, no more than five dental hygienists while the dentist and each hygienist are providing dental services on a volunteer basis through a nonprofit provider of free mobile clinics; authorizes a dentist to supervise, under general supervision, no more than five dental hygienists if the dentist and dental hygienists work for the department of health, a county or metropolitan health department, or an entity that participates in the state safety net program for the uninsured.

PC.761 SB2482/HB2773

As enacted, enacts the "Cassie Wright Act," which makes changes to law relative to a parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian having access to certain medical information of their unemancipated minor. Requires a health care professional who reports a threat of bodily harm or threat of committing suicide, by a service recipient who is an unemancipated minor, to law enforcement must also report to the unemancipated minors parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian. Requires access to an unemancipated minors prescription records unless the provider is required to report abuse or access to this information is reasonably likely to endanger the life or physical safety of the minor.

PC.783 SB1673/HB1625

As enacted, requires a qualified mental health professional or behavior analyst to warn or protect an identified victim or group of people when the professional or analyst determines that a service recipient has communicated an intent for actual threat of bodily harm; requires the professional or behavior analyst to report such threat; provides immunity from civil, criminal, and regulatory liability for a professional or analyst who takes reasonable action to warn or protect identified victims or groups and to report such threat.

PC.831 SB1766/HB1882

As enacted, requires a healthcare provider to provide to a patient or the patient’s authorized representative a full copy of the patient’s medical records within 10 working days of receipt of a written request by the patient or representative, instead of providing a full copy or a summary of the records; requires a healthcare provider to provide to a principal or an attorney in fact acting pursuant to a durable power of attorney for health care a full copy of the principal’s medical records within 10 working days of receipt of a written request by the principal or attorney in fact, instead of providing a full copy or a summary of the records.

PC.893 SB1720/HB2451

As enacted, requires certain information to be included in a healthcare practitioner advertisement. A practitioner may only advertise the profession, title, or designation associated with the educational degree of the practitioner.

PC.944 SB2588/HB2097

As enacted, requires state regulatory boards within the department of commerce and insurance and state health related boards within the department of health to issue advisory opinions upon request.

PC.1027 SB1881/HB2857

As enacted, removes from the definition of "provider-based telemedicine" the requirement that the healthcare service provider or the provider's practice group or healthcare system have an established provider-patient relationship that is documented by an in-person encounter within 16 months prior to the interactive visit.

PC.1030 SB1963/HB2176

As enacted, permits a court to award the reasonable court costs and attorney's fees to a petitioner successfully proving that a governing body knowingly and willfully violated the public meetings laws in this state.

PC.1043 SB2151/HB2861

As enacted, clarifies that a healthcare practitioner shall not coerce a person, including a person who has legal authority to make healthcare decisions for a child, to consent to a vaccination; Mislead or misrepresent that a vaccination is required by state law, when state law provides an exemption; or (3) Mislead or misrepresent that a newborn screening test is required by state law, when state law does not require such screening without providing an exemption to such requirement.

PC.1061 SB2749/HB2936

As enacted, enacts the "Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act." This act outlines that parental consent must be given to a healthcare provider to render certain treatment or services unless under certain circumstances such as emergency medical or surgical treatment or if blanket consent has been given.

Noteworthy Health-Related Legislation

• The Department of Health’s administration bill successfully extended current opioid prescription protections that were put into place in 2018 under the Tennessee Together Act.
• The Department of Health was extended to June 30, 2027, following an audit and subsequent sunset hearings.
• Multiple boards administratively attached to the Department of Health were extended by the legislature following audits and subsequent sunset hearings.

Non-Health Related Legislative Activity of Note

• June 19th is now designated as a state holiday for Juneteenth.
• State employees are authorized to use sick leave from a sick leave bank to care for a sick minor child of the employee.
• State employees must be provided six paid weeks of leave for the birth of the employee’s child or because of the employee’s adoption of a child.
• “Send Me” is now an additional state motto.
• The legislature passed an extensive transportation modernization act.
• The legislature passed a teacher paycheck protection act that, among other things, raises the minimum teacher salary to $50,000 by 2026.
• Law enforcement officers and the district attorney general’s office may extend criminal immunity to persons who are experiencing a drug overdose and who are seeking medical assistance.

Pertinent Public Chapters

Public Chapter No. 1—SB1/HB1—Johnson/Lamberth

This law prohibits a healthcare provider from knowingly performing or offering to perform on a minor, or administer or offer to administer to a minor, a medical procedure if the performance or administration of the procedure is for the purpose of enabling a minor to identify with or live as an identity inconsistent with the minor’s sex. This bill does not prohibit such medical procedure if the performance or administration is to treat a minor’s congenital defect, precocious puberty, disease, or physical injury or the medical procedure began prior to the effective date of this act and concludes on or before March 31, 2024. This law also prohibits a person from knowingly providing a hormone or puberty blocker by any means to a minor if the provision of the hormone or puberty blocker is not in compliance with this bill. This bill is effective on July 1, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 2—SB3/HB9—Johnson/Todd

This law creates a Class A misdemeanor offense for a person to perform adult cabaret entertainment on public property or in a location where the adult cabaret entertainment could be viewed by a person who is not an adult. Subsequent offenses are Class E felonies. This bill was effective on April 1, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 9—SB51/HB217—Roberts/Ragan

This law extends the professional art therapist advisory committee to June 30, 2024.

Public Chapter No. 10—SB52/HB218—Roberts/Ragan

This law extends the Psychology Interjurisdictional Compact Act to June 30, 2031.

Public Chapter No. 24—SB248/HB66—Johnson/Lamberth

This law authorized the Department of Intellectual and Development Disabilities to provide home health services to outpatients through its administration of the Tennessee Early Intervention System and the home and community-based services provided through such system. This bill was effective on March 10, 2023. This law was a DIDD legislative initiative.

Public Chapter No. 36—SB23/HB17—Massey/Faison

This law designates the month of May as “Silver Alert Awareness Month.” This bill was effective on March 14, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 41—SB256/HB75—Johnson/Lamberth

This law allows law enforcement or the district attorney general’s office to extend criminal immunity from being arrested, charged, or prosecuted to persons who are experiencing a subsequent drug overdose. This bill takes effect on July 1, 2023. This was a Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse’s legislative initiative.

Public Chapter No. 42—SB266/HB314—Johnson/Lamberth

This law makes changes regarding assignment of benefits to a healthcare provider and the collection of out-of-network charges by healthcare facilities, by removing existing notification requirements and duplicative language within code to adhere to the federal No Surprises Act. This law was effective on March 14, 2023. This was a Department of Commerce and Insurance legislative initiative.

Public Chapter No. 46—SB583/HB339—Pody/Raper

This law allows former municipal judges to solemnize marriages. This law was effective on March 14, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 99—SB925/HB1429—Lundberg/Hicks

This law removes the requirement that a provider of home medical equipment services that has a principal placed of business outside this state maintain an office or place of business within this state. This law also requires the board for licensing health care facilities to promulgate rules to identifying contacts for state surveyors and state surveys. This law was effective on March 31, 2023.

Public Chapter No.114—SB255/HB74—Johnson/Lamberth

This law changes the terms "general education development credential," "high school equivalency test," and variations of the terms to "high school equivalency credential” as referenced throughout the code. This law also replaces any references in code from GED(R) or HiSET(R) classes, coursework, testing, or services with the phrase “adult education programming to include preparation and testing toward obtaining a high school equivalency credential” throughout the code. This law is effective on July 1, 2023.This was a Department of Labor and Workforce Development legislative initiative.

Public Chapter No.123—SB614/HB1313—Briggs/Kumar

This law requires hospitals that have a certification from a department-approved, nationally recognized certifying body that recognizes the hospital as capable of providing neuroendovascular treatment to report quarterly data that is consistent with nationally recognized stroke consensus measures on the treatment of individuals with confirmed stroke to the East Tennessee State University College of Public Health. This law was effective on April 4, 2023.

Public Chapter No.150—SB523/HB495— Jackson/Martin

This bill enacts the "Topical Medical Waste Reduction Act of 2023," which allows facilities, defined as a hospital operating room, hospital emergency room department, or ambulatory surgical treatment center, to offer a patient an unused portion of certain medications required for continuing treatment upon discharge when the medication was ordered at least 24 hours in advance for surgical procedures and is administered to the patient at the facility. If a medication is used in an operating room or emergency department setting, then the prescriber shall counsel the patient on a medications proper use and administration, and the requirement of pharmacist counseling is waived. This law was effective on April 13, 2023.

Public Chapter No.156—SB40/HB206—Roberts/Ragan

This law extends the Department of Health to June 30, 2027. This law was effective on April 17, 2023.

Public Chapter No.157—SB86HB734—Walley/Rudd

This law clarifies that a person requesting public records is not entitled to special or expedited access to those records based on their occupation or association with a profession. This law was effective on April 17, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 168—SB600/HB90—Hensley/Moody

This law prohibits counties, municipalities, and metropolitan governments from expending funds for the purpose of assisting a person in obtaining a criminal abortion. This prohibition includes using funds as part of a health benefit plan or for travel to another state for the purpose of obtaining an abortion. This law was effective on April 17, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 188—SB277/HB325—Johnson/Lamberth

This law extends legislation enacted in 2018 to preserve opioid prescription limitations for acute care. In addition, this law exempts individuals who had recent cancer treatment from this prescription limitation. “Recent cancer treatment” is defined as six months following the end of an active cancer treatment. This law creates an exception for informed consent where a healthcare practitioner who issued the initial prescription does not have to obtain and document informed consent, if the subsequent prescription is for the same opioid and for the same episode of treatment. Outside of this exception, informed consent must be updated periodically. This law also requires the Commissioner of the Department of Health to provide a letter, in consultation with the health-related boards, no to certain elected officials that includes information on the impact and the effects of this legislation in each even-numbered year. This law was effective on April 24, 2023. This law was a Department of Health legislative initiative.

Public Chapter No. 196—SB560/HB584—Walley/Grant

This law allows an out of state hospital or an affiliated entity to employ emergency physicians to treat patients at a satellite emergency department, a primary care clinic, or an urgent care clinic, if they are located in this state and owned or controlled by the hospital or affiliated entity. The hospitals must meet certain qualifications and the physicians must be licensed in Tennessee. This law is limited to counties that have a population of less than 27,000 according to the 2020 federal census. This law takes effect July 1, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 203—SB799/HB859—Yarbro/Jernigan

This law authorizes the Department of Health to disclose de-identified data that is collected from EMS run reports for the purpose of providing opioid overdose response and resources throughout this state. This law was effective on April 24, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 216—SB276/HB324—Johnson/Lamberth

This law makes various changes to current law pertaining to leave for state employees. Among other things, this law allows an eligible employee to be granted absence from work with pay for a period of time equal to six workweeks because of the birth of the employee’s child or because of the placement of a child with the employee for adoption. This law is effective on July 1, 2023, and applies to eligible employees who qualify for leave on or after July 1, 2023. This was one of Governor Lee’s legislative initiatives.

Public Chapter No. 252—SB221/HB273—Roberts/Terry

This law requires the division of health-related boards to consult with the Board of Medical Examiners in the hiring of a medical consultant. This law also gives the medical consultant authority to consult on various issues and to work with the board’s attorney on certain portions of the complaint and settlement process. Additionally, the division must provide biannual surveys to the Board for its feedback and review of the consultant. This law authorizes the Board to promulgate rules to effectuate this process. This law was effective on April 28, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 265—SB669/HB0981—Reeves/Faison

This law vacates and reconstitutes the Tennessee Emergency Medical Services Board, as of July 1, 2023. This law staggers the initial terms of appointment so that a portion of new members must be appointed in each year for the next four years. Members serving on the Board as of June 30, 2023, may be reappointed to the new Board. After the initial round of appointments, the terms of appointment expand to four years. Additionally, this law also makes various changes to the qualifications for candidates being considered as an appointment for the Board. For purposes of promulgating rules and carrying out administrative duties, this law was effective on April 28, 2023. For all other purposes, this law takes effect on June 30, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 270—SB859/HB982—Reeves/Terry

This law protects a person's statement regarding the use or possession of marijuana to a healthcare provider through the course of a person's medical care for the purpose of obtaining medical advice on the adverse effects of marijuana with other medications or medical treatments. Under this law, such statement is not admissible as evidence in a criminal proceeding in which the person is a defendant unless a person expressly waives this prohibition and requests that the statement be admitted as evidence. This law was effective on April 28, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 300—SB551/HB448—Lowe/Davis

This law requires governmental entities to provide a period of public comment for public meetings but authorizes the governmental entities to place reasonable restrictions on the period for public comment. This does not apply to a meeting of a governing body, or a portion thereof, where the governing body is conducting a disciplinary hearing or a meeting for which there are no actionable items on the agenda. This takes effect July 1, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 306—SB924/HB577—Rose/Parkinson

This law adds as an enhancement factor that can be considered during sentencing if a defendant has been convicted of aggravated assault or attempted first degree murder on the grounds or premises of a healthcare facility. Healthcare facility is defined as a hospital licensed under title 33 or 68. This law takes effect July 1, 2023.

Public Chapter 313—SB745/HB883—Helton-Haynes/Briggs

This law specifies that terminating an ectopic or molar pregnancy does not constitute a criminal abortion. This law removes the current affirmative defense in law and instead provides that it is not an offense of criminal abortion if the abortion is performed or attempted by a licensed physician in a licensed hospital or ambulatory surgical treatment center and certain conditions are met. This law also requires the Department of Health to collect reports submitted under this law and report quarterly the number of abortions performed in this state to certain individuals in the executive and legislative branches no later than January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1 of each year. This law is effective April 28, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 316—SB1426/HB1004—Roberts/Darby

This law requires an appointed member of a governing body for a state entity to serve in such capacity until the member's successor is duly appointed and qualified. Under this, an appointed member of a board, commission, or other governing body for a state governmental entity may be removed by the member's appointing authority with or without cause. A vacancy created by the removal of a member must be filled by the appointing authority in the same manner as the original appointment. This law also creates an advisory council on state procurement. This law was effective on April 28, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 325—SB1191/HB1388—Bailey/Ragan

This law terminates the Radiologic Imaging and Radiation Therapy Board of Examiners with no wind down period. This law authorizes the Board of Medical Examiners to establish and issue limited and full X-ray certifications. This law was effective on April 28, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 337—SB269/HB317—Johnson/Lamberth

This law designates June 19th as a new official state holiday for Juneteenth. This law was effective on May 5, 2023, and applies to June 19, 2023. This was one of Governor Lee’s legislative initiatives.

Public Chapter No. 379—SB0365/HB0355—Massey/Alexander

This law requires that a health benefit plan that provides coverage for a screening mammogram must provide coverage for diagnostic imaging and supplemental breast screening without imposing a cost-sharing requirement on the patient. This law is effective 90 days after May 11, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 414—SB0781/HB1281—Crowe/Holsclaw

This law establishes a family medicine student loan repayment grant program to incentivize physicians in residency training to provide medical health services in health resource shortage areas following completion of their training. This law is effective July 1, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 426—SB0458/HB0496—Watson/Martin

This law requires certain health related boards to either render a decision on the application or inform the applicant of the need to appear before such board within 60 days from the date the respective board receives a completed application for licensure from either an initial applicant or an applicant who is licensed in another state or territory of the United States or in the District of Columbia. This law was effective on May 11, 2023, and applies to applications submitted on or after that date.

Public Chapter No. 432—SB702/HB1095—Crowe/Boyd

This law places requirements for registration of a temporary healthcare staffing agency. This law requires a temporary healthcare staffing agency to submit a biannual report to the Health Facilities Commission. This law lays out penalties and disciplinary proceedings for temporary healthcare staffing agency, such as revoking registration, under certain circumstances. Sections of this law have differing effective dates.

Public Chapter No. 443—SB296/HB779—Gardenhire/Helton-Haynes

This law requires the Board of Medical Examiners, the Board of Osteopathic Examination, the Board of Nursing, the Board of Physician Assistants, and the Alcohol and Drug Abuse Counselors Board to, upon the receipt of a completed application for licensure from an applicant who is licensed in another state or territory of the United States or in the District of Columbia, render a decision on the application or inform the applicant of the need to appear before the board within 45 days from the date the board receives the application. This law requires the Board of Athletic Trainers to, upon the receipt of a completed application for licensure from an applicant who is licensed in another state or territory of the United States or in the District of Columbia, render a decision on the application or inform the applicant of the need to appear before the board within 60 days from the date the board receives the application. "Completed application" means an application that satisfies all statutory and board rule requirements. This law takes effect May 17, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 457—SB753/HB1317—Haile/Kumar

This law changes the composition and number of members of the Board of Pharmacy by adding two members to the Board and adding a residency requirement of no less than five years for pharmacist members of the board. This law authorizes the Board of Pharmacy to issue advisory opinions. This law also specifies that the current board members must serve on July 1, 2023, through the end of the members’ existing terms. This law was effective May 17, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 477—SB1111/HB1380—Bowling/Ragan

This law creates the “Mature Minor Doctrine Clarification Act.” This act prohibits a healthcare provider from providing a vaccination to a minor unless the healthcare provider first receives informed consent from a parent or legal guardian of the minor. The healthcare provider must document receipt of and include in the minor's medical record proof of prior parental or guardian informed consent. This law also requires written consent from a parent or legal guardian before providing a minor with a COVID-19 vaccine. Additionally, this law prohibits an employee or agent of the state to provide, request, or facilitate the vaccination of a minor child in state custody except when certain situations apply. This law was effective May 17, 2023.

Public Chapter No. 486—SB1440/HB239—Roberts/Bulso

This law defines “sex” in code to mean a person's immutable biological sex as determined by anatomy and genetics existing at the time of birth and evidence of a person's biological sex. “Evidence of a person’s biological sex” includes, but is not limited to, a government-issued identification document that accurately reflects a person's sex listed on the person's original birth certificate. This law takes effect on July 1, 2023.

Please note that these are high-level overviews of each public chapter. They do not include every detail or provide all bill information. Please review the text of the bill in its entirety at your own discretion. If you have any questions or need further clarity, please reach out to your attorney.

Public Chapter 644 (SB1823/HB1867)

COVID-19 Vaccine Exemptions-Establishes framework and protections regarding exemptions from mandatory COVID-19 vaccinations.

Public Chapter 680 (SB1909/HB1904)

Autoclave Requirements – Regulates the sterilization standards and autoclave maintenance for medical and office environments. 

Public Chapter 756 (SB1789/HB2858)

Conditions of Participation – Modifies administrative compliance requirements for healthcare providers participating in state healthcare plans.

Public Chapter 883 (SB2285/HB1749)

UAPA and Judicial Review Standards – Amends the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act regarding how courts review agency decisions, directly impacting regulatory board disciplinary appeals. 

Public Chapter 911 (HB2309/SB2464)

Professional License Requirements – Standardizes criteria and eases administrative pathways for certain professional licenses across state departments.

Public Chapter 930 (HB1871/SB1982)

Acquired Immunity – Expressly recognizes acquired natural immunity on par with vaccine-induced immunity regarding certain public mandates.

Public Chapter 1117 (SB2448/HB2671)

Extended Liability Protection – Extends civil liability protections for healthcare entities against claims based on COVID-19 exposure.

Public Chapter 199 (Board Composition Changes)

Signed into law by the Governor, this act modified Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) Section 63-4-102(a). It altered the 7-member board's structural setup by replacing one of the two general public consumer positions with a certified Chiropractic X-Ray Technician (CXT) or Chiropractic Therapy Assistant (CTA) who has been certified for at least two years.

Public Chapter 524 (TennCare Coverage Expansion)

This legislation amended TCA Title 71, Chapter 5, officially adding authorized chiropractic services to the state's list of covered TennCare medical assistance healthcare benefits.

Continuing Education Modifications

Due to ongoing state executive orders during that period, the Board updated its formal COVID-19 Continuing Education Policy. This allowed chiropractic physicians to fulfill their required 24 annual clock hours entirely through online distance learning rather than traditional live event caps. 

Elimination of the Professional Privilege Tax

Effective in 2020, Tennessee law removed the annual $400 professional privilege tax for licensed chiropractic physicians.

Criminal Background Checks

Passage of Public Chapter 1084 instituted mandatory background checks against state sex offender and abuse registries for prospective healthcare personnel providing direct patient care.

COVID-19 Continuing Education (CE) Adjustments

Due to the pandemic, the Board adopted a flexible policy in July 2020 allowing the required 24 annual CE hours for chiropractic physicians (and 6 hours for assistants/X-ray techs) to be completed entirely via distance learning or live online courses, overriding the standard 6-hour distance learning cap. 

Public Chapter 61

This act states that an entity responsible for an AED program is immune from civil liability for personal injury caused by maintenance or use of an AED if such conduct does not rise to the level of willful or wanton misconduct or gross negligence. This act took effect on March 28, 2019. 

Public Chapter 117

This act adds a definition of “alternative treatments” to 63-1-164 pertaining to the restrictions and limitations on treating patients with opioids. This act took effect April 9, 2019. 

Public Chapter 195

The majority of this act pertains to boards governed by the Department of Commerce and Insurance.  One small section applies to the health related boards. Currently, the health related boards have an expedited licensure process for military members and their spouses.  Previously, a spouse of an active military member had to leave active employment to be eligible for this expedited process.  This act removes that requirement.  This section applies to all health related boards.  The Commissioner of Health is permitted to promulgate rules, but rules are not needed to implement the act. This act takes effect July 1, 2019. 

Public Chapter 229

This act allows healthcare professionals to accept goods or services as payment in direct exchange of barter for healthcare services. Bartering is only permissible if the patient to whom services are provided is not covered by health insurance. All barters accepted by a healthcare professional must be submitted to the IRS annually. This act does not apply to healthcare services provided at a pain management clinic. This act took effect April 30, 2019. 

Public Chapter 243

This act mandates that an agency that requires a person applying for a license to engage in an occupation, trade, or profession in this state to take an examination must provide appropriate accommodations in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Any state agency that administers a required examination for licensure (except for examinations required by federal law) shall promulgate rules in regard to eligibility criteria. This legislation was introduced to assist individuals with dyslexia.  This act took effect May 2, 2019 for the purpose of promulgating rules, and for all other purposes, takes effect July 1, 2020. 

Public Chapter 255

The act permits a medical professional who has a current license to practice from another state, commonwealth territory, or the District of Columbia is exempt from the licensure requirements of such boards if: (1) the medical professional is a member of the armed forces; and (2) the medical professional is engaged in the practice of the medical profession listed in 68-1-101 through a partnership with the Federal Innovative Readiness Training. The respective health boards may promulgate rules for implementation. This act took effect April 18, 2019 for the purpose of promulgating rules, and for all other purposes, takes effect July 1, 2019. 

Public Chapter 357

This act states that a massage establishment license is no longer required for the office of a licensed medical doctor, osteopathic doctor, or chiropractor if a massage for compensation is provided within that office by a licensed massage therapist. This act became effective May 10, 2019. 

Public Chapter 447

This act permits law enforcement agencies to subpoena materials and documents pertaining to an investigation conducted by the Department of Health prior to formal disciplinary charges being filed against the provider. This bill was brought by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation. This act went into effect May 22, 2019. 

Public Chapter 611

This law requires an agency holding a public hearing as part of its rulemaking process, to make copies of the rule available in “redline form” to people attending the hearing. This takes effect July 1, 2018.

Public Chapter 744

This statute allows a licensing entity the discretion to not suspend/deny/revoke a license in cases where the licensee has defaulted or become delinquent on student loans IF a medical hardship significantly contributed to the default or delinquency. This act took effect January 1, 2019.

Public Chapter 745 and Public Chapter 793

These public chapters work together to create and implement the “Fresh Start Act.”  Licensing authorities are prohibited from denying an application or renewal for a license/certificate/registration due to a prior criminal conviction that does not directly relate to the applicable occupation.  Lays out the requirements on the licensing authorities as well as the exceptions to the law (ex: rebuttable presumption regarding A and B level felonies).  These acts take effect July 1, 2018.

Public Chapter 754

This chapter prevents any board, commission, committee, etc. created by statute from promulgating rules, issuing statements, or issuing intra-agency memoranda that infringe on an entity member’s freedom of speech.  Freedom of speech includes, but is not limited to, a member’s freedom to express an opinion concerning any matter relating to that governmental entity, excluding matters deemed to be confidential under TCA 10-7-504. Violations as determined by a joint evaluation committee may result in recommendations to the general assembly concerning the entity’s sunset status, rulemaking authority and funding. This act took effect April 18, 2018.

Public Chapter 929

This act redefines policy and rule and requires each agency to submit a list of all policies, with certain exceptions, that have been adopted or changed in the previous year to the chairs of the government operations committees on July 1 of each year.  The submission shall include a summary of the policy and the justification for adopting a policy instead of a rule. This act also prohibits any policy or rule by any agency that infringes upon an agency member’s freedom of speech.  Finally, this act establishes that an agency’s appointing authority shall have the sole power to remove a member from a board, committee, etc. This act takes effect July 1, 2018 and applies to policies adopted on or after that date.

Public Chapter 954

This legislation requires the initial licensure fee for low-income persons to be waived.  Low income individuals per the statute are defined as persons who are enrolled in a state or federal public assistance program including but not limited to TANF, Medicaid, and SNAP.  All licensing authorities are required to promulgate rules to effectuate the purposes of this act.  This act takes effect January 1, 2019.

Public Chapter 1021

This act allows for appeals of contested case hearings to be in the chancery court nearest the residence of the person contesting the agency action or at that person’s discretion, in the chancery court nearest the place the action arose, or in the chancery court of Davidson County.  Petitions seeking review must be filed within 60 days after entry of the agency’s final order.  This act takes effect July 1, 2018.