SB 2544 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Interstate Compacts - As enacted, enacts the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Act." - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 63.

SB 2544 creates the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact" to allow licensed respiratory therapists from one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining a new license. This directly affects respiratory therapists seeking to work across state lines, particularly military families relocating and those addressing workforce shortages in healthcare. The bill establishes standardized rules for license recognition, background checks, and disciplinary actions across member states while preserving each state's authority to protect public health. It aims to increase access to respiratory therapy services and streamline administrative processes for both therapists and states.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
May 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed May 13, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

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

Actions timeline

Total actions
20
Key actions
9
Committee
5
May 13, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
May 1, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 23, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 20, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 96, Nays 0, PNV 0
lower
Mar 9, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
upper
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/4/2026
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
lower
Feb 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 2/25/2026
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
upper
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Shane Reeves
Shane Reeves
RRepublican
TN
14