SB 440 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, clarifies that excepted benefits are not part of a requirement to provide coverage for a specific person, provider, treatment, service, condition, or disease, unless coverage of such excepted benefits is expressly required by law. - Amends TCA Title 56.

SB 440 clarifies that standalone dental and vision insurance plans (known as "excepted benefits") are not required to cover specific medical treatments, services, or conditions unless state law explicitly mandates it. This change directly affects health insurance plans offering these stand-alone benefits, removing an implied obligation to cover certain medical needs under those plans. The law applies to all new or renewed insurance policies issued on or after July 1, 2025, ensuring clarity for insurers and policyholders. It does not alter existing coverage requirements for standard health insurance plans.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed Apr 15, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 17, 2025 · House Apr 3, 2025

How they voted

370
Passed
Total votes 37
Mar 17, 2025
D Democratic6
6 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican31
31 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
18
Key actions
7
Committee
3
Apr 15, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 3, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., Ayes 88, Nays 0, PNV 1
lower
Mar 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
upper
Mar 11, 2025
Lower · Passed
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
lower
Mar 5, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/11/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
upper
Feb 10, 2025
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Page Walley
Page Walley
RRepublican
TN
26