Tort Liability and Reform - As introduced, expands the definition of a person for whom a wrongful death action may be brought to include an unborn child beginning at fertilization, rather than in utero; extends the period of time from two to three years after which a spouse is rebuttably presumed to have abandoned a deceased spouse for purposes of bringing a wrongful death claim. - Amends TCA Title 20 and Section 63-6-1102.

SB 1743 expands wrongful death claims in Tennessee by including unborn children from fertilization (not just in utero) as eligible claimants under the law. It also extends the period for presuming a spouse abandoned their deceased partner from two to three years before they can file a claim. These changes directly affect families seeking wrongful death compensation, particularly in cases involving spouses who may have left the deceased partner for over three years. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 20-5-106 and 63-6-1102, effective July 1, 2026.