SB 2585 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Medical Occupations - As enacted, 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. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 8, Chapter 50; Title 33; Title 36; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68.

This bill updates Tennessee law to replace the term "marital and family therapists" with "marriage and family therapists" across multiple code sections (including Titles 4, 8, 33, 36, 52, 56, 63, and 68). It primarily corrects terminology in licensing, practice, and regulatory provisions affecting therapists and the Board of Examiners. Key additions include Section 16, which establishes reciprocal licensing agreements with other states and defines endorsement requirements, and Section 20, which clarifies exemptions for interns and certain professionals. The bill does not alter clinical practice standards but standardizes the profession’s official name in state law.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Mar 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
Apr 2026
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Signed Apr 16, 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
23
Key actions
10
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Apr 16, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 6, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 6, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 2, 2026
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 31, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0812)
upper
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0812)
lower
Mar 30, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 94, Nays 1, PNV 0
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0582)
lower
Mar 19, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0
upper
Mar 3, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
upper
Feb 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
lower
Feb 5, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor 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 Ed Jackson
Ed Jackson
RRepublican
TN
25