Opioids - As enacted, clarifies that a physician licensed in this state is the only healthcare provider authorized to prescribe a buprenorphine product for a FDA-approved use in recovery or medication-assisted treatment; revises criteria for providers not licensed in this state to prescribe a buprenorphine product for the treatment of opioid use disorder. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 41; Title 53 and Title 63.
HB 1239 clarifies that only physicians licensed in Tennessee may prescribe buprenorphine for FDA-approved uses in opioid recovery or medication-assisted treatment. It also establishes new requirements for non-Tennessee-licensed healthcare providers (such as those working in correctional facilities) to prescribe buprenorphine for opioid use disorder: they must hold a federal DEA registration, be employed by or contract with a correctional facility or jail, and have clinical protocols for medication-assisted treatment. The bill revises existing law to limit prescribing authority while creating specific pathways for correctional healthcare providers. It takes effect on July 1, 2025.
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Feb 10, 2025
Signed Apr 24, 2025
Floor votes
How they voted
This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history
Actions timeline
Total actions
27
Key actions
12
Committee
9
Amendments
1
Apr 24, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 10, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0252)
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 92, Nays 1, PNV 0
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Introduced
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 4
upper
Apr 2, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/3/2025
lower
Apr 1, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Health Committee for 4/1/2025
lower
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action def. in Health Committee to 4/1/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Health Committee
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/25/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/19/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to Health Committee
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Esther Helton-Haynes
RRepublican
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