Children - As enacted, clarifies that a child's parent, legal guardian, or legal custodian may, to the extent allowable by federal law, access and review all health and medical records of the child, including those records related to treatments available to unemancipated minors without parental consent; makes other related changes. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68.
This Tennessee bill (SB 259) clarifies that parents, legal guardians, or custodians can access all health and medical records of unemancipated minors - including records from treatments provided without parental consent. It also permits school staff to provide basic first aid (bandages, gauze, or ice packs) for minor cuts, scrapes, or bumps. The law affects parents, schools, and healthcare providers by expanding access to minors' health records and defining school staff's limited medical authority. It amends Tennessee codes related to healthcare, education, and minor treatment (Titles 33, 36, 37, 49, 63, and 68).
Bill status
signed
all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Apr 2026
Senate Passage
Apr 2026
House Passage
Apr 2026
Signed into Law
May 2026
Introduced Jan 27, 2025
Signed May 5, 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
34
Key actions
19
Committee
15
Amendments
1
May 5, 2026
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 21, 2026
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 21, 2026
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0808)
lower
Apr 16, 2026
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 77, Nays 13, PNV 1
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0970)
lower
Apr 14, 2026
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 24, Nays 7, PNV 1
upper
Apr 1, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 7, Nays 1 PNV 1
upper
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 4/1/2026
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Reset on Final calendar of Senate Health and Welfare Committee
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 17, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
upper
Feb 26, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/4/2026
lower
Mar 26, 2025
Committee
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Education Committee
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Education Committee to 3/26/2025
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/26/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Education Committee to 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/19/2025
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/12/2025
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education Committee
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors
Sponsors
Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Mark Pody
RRepublican
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