SB 955 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Health Care - As enacted, enacts the "Medical Ethics Defense Act." - Amends TCA Title 63.

SB 955, now known as the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," protects Tennessee healthcare providers from being forced to participate in or pay for medical procedures that conflict with their conscience. It defines "conscience" as sincerely held ethical, moral, or religious beliefs and prohibits discriminatory actions - like termination or penalties - against providers who refuse specific procedures based on those beliefs. The law also safeguards providers who report violations of this act, preventing retaliation for whistleblowing. This applies to healthcare professionals, institutions, and payers but excludes procedures governed by federal law (such as emergency care under EMTALA).
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2025
Committee Review
Feb 2025
Senate Passage
Apr 2025
House Passage
Apr 2025
Signed into Law
Apr 2025
Introduced Feb 10, 2025 Signed Apr 24, 2025
Floor votes · Senate Mar 6, 2025 · House Apr 7, 2025

How they voted

323
Passed
Total votes 35
Mar 6, 2025
D Democratic4
1 Yea 3 Nay
75% Nay
R Republican31
31 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
25
Key actions
10
Committee
3
Amendments
1
Apr 24, 2025
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
lower
Apr 21, 2025
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
Apr 17, 2025
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 14, 2025
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 25, Nays 6 (Amendment 1 - HA0177)
upper
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0177)
lower
Apr 7, 2025
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 71, Nays 24, PNV 0
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Lower · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0020)
lower
Mar 6, 2025
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 27, Nays 3
upper
Feb 26, 2025
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 7, Nays 1 PNV 0
upper
Feb 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 2/26/2025
lower
Feb 12, 2025
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare 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 Ferrell Haile
Ferrell Haile
RRepublican
TN
18