SB 282 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Health Care - As enacted, enacts the "Individualized Investigational Treatment Act." - Amends TCA Title 53 and Title 63.

SB 282, the "Individualized Investigational Treatment Act," creates a legal framework for patients with life-threatening or severely debilitating illnesses to access personalized medical treatments (like gene therapies or vaccines tailored to their genetic profile) when standard FDA-approved options have been exhausted. It directly affects eligible patients (who must meet specific criteria including physician attestation and written informed consent) and eligible facilities (those complying with federal human subjects protections). Key provisions require detailed written consent covering all treatment options, risks, and financial liability, while clarifying that insurers, health plans, and providers are **not obligated** to cover these treatments or related costs (TCA §§ 63-6-1304(a)-(d)). The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and explicitly states that heirs cannot be held liable for unpaid treatment debts if a patient dies during treatment (TCA § 63-6-1305).
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Mar 2025
House Passage
Mar 2025
Signed into Law
Mar 2025
Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Signed Mar 20, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025 · House Mar 6, 2025

How they voted

321
Passed · 1 other
Total votes 34
Mar 6, 2025
D Democratic5
3 Yea 1 Nay 1
60% Yea
R Republican29
29 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
22
Key actions
8
Committee
3
Mar 20, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Mar 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Mar 10, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0021)
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 28, Nays 1, PNV 1
upper
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 85, Nays 5, PNV 3
lower
Feb 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 2/26/2025
lower
Feb 10, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
upper
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Bo Watson
Bo Watson
RRepublican
TN
11