HB 37 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Opioids - As enacted, authorizes an insurer, for purposes of group insurance plans offered to state employees, to adopt or amend a state preferred drug list (PDL); requires the insurer to ensure that a non-opioid drug approved by the U.S. food and drug administration for the treatment or management of pain is not disadvantaged or discouraged with respect to coverage relative to an opioid or narcotic drug for the treatment or management of pain on the PDL. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

HB 37 requires insurers offering health plans to Tennessee state employees to treat FDA-approved non-opioid pain medications equally with opioids on their preferred drug lists (PDL). It prohibits insurers from discouraging coverage for non-opioid options used for pain management, though it allows insurers to prefer one opioid over another or one non-opioid over another. This applies specifically to state employee group insurance plans covered under Tennessee Code Annotated sections 56-7-3801 to 56-7-3803. The law, effective January 1, 2026, aims to expand access to non-opioid pain treatments without mandating their preference.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Jan 14, 2025 Signed Apr 24, 2025
Floor votes · House Mar 24, 2025

How they voted

This bill passed the Senate by voice vote (no roll call recorded).
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
11
Committee
8
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
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 1
upper
Mar 26, 2025
Introduced
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0087)
lower
Mar 24, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 75, Nays 19, PNV 0
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/20/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to State & Local Government Committee
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/12/2025
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Public Service Subcommittee for 3/5/2025
lower
Jan 28, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c Public Service Subcommittee
lower
Jan 16, 2025
Committee
Ref. to State & Local Government Committee
lower
Jan 15, 2025
Lower · Passed
P2C held on desk, pending appointment of Standing Committees
lower
Jan 14, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Elaine Davis
Elaine Davis
RRepublican
TN
18