Tennessee Bills

This bill would require Tennessee courts to excuse breastfeeding mothers from jury service upon receiving two specific documents: a written request from the mother and a medical statement from a licensed physician confirming breastfeeding. It directly affects breastfeeding mothers who receive jury duty notices, providing a clear exemption process. The bill amends Tennessee's jury service laws (TCA Title 22, Chapters 1 and 2) to add this provision, replacing the current standard for excusing jurors. The policy change creates a defined, medically verified pathway for exemption without altering other jury service requirements.

SB 1778 exempts disaster grants administered by Tennessee's Emergency Management Agency (TEMA) from standard state procurement rules, allowing faster disbursement during emergencies. This applies to grants awarded directly by TEMA or passed to recipients (like local governments or nonprofits) for disaster response and recovery. However, TEMA must still follow specific financial oversight rules (Section 12-3-602) and establish procedures to monitor how recipients use the funds. The bill directly affects TEMA, local governments, and organizations receiving disaster aid, streamlining access to critical funds while maintaining compliance checks.

SB 1885 designates February as "Tennessee Songwriters Month" each year to recognize songwriters' contributions to the state's musical heritage. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 15-2-129 to formally establish this observance. The bill has no funding requirements or regulatory changes - it is a symbolic designation affecting public recognition, not any specific individuals or organizations. The measure passed committee review in the Tennessee Senate in 2026.

SB 1711 amends Tennessee law to change where lawsuits can be filed to dissolve nonprofit corporations. It specifies that the attorney general can file such lawsuits in counties where the nonprofit’s main office is located (or its registered office if none is in Tennessee), where it did business, or in Davidson, Sumner, or Williamson counties. Other authorized parties (like community groups) can only file in the county where the nonprofit’s main office was last located. This is a procedural change affecting court venue, not the rules for dissolving corporations.

SB 1636 requires guardians and conservators (fiduciaries) in Tennessee to include the date of their last contact with the person they are caring for in annual court filings. The bill mandates that these filings also state the person's current physical or mental condition and whether ongoing fiduciary services are still needed, while avoiding disclosure of confidential medical information. This change directly affects fiduciaries managing guardianships or conservatorships across Tennessee. The requirement applies to all annual accounting reports submitted to the court overseeing these cases, effective July 1, 2026.

HB 1488 requires Tennessee county legislative bodies (including metropolitan and charter counties) to adopt formal rules for conducting meetings within 90 days of a newly elected body, using a simple majority vote. It mandates that any future changes to these rules must be approved by a two-thirds vote of the body. If the rules don't address a specific issue, the body must follow Robert's Rules of Order as the default procedure. This bill directly affects how county commissions and similar bodies operate, standardizing their internal governance processes.

HB 1489 would expand Tennessee's cancer presumption law for firefighters to include arson investigators. The bill amends state law to define "firefighter" as specifically covering full-time arson investigators employed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation or county sheriff's departments. This change means these investigators would automatically qualify for disability benefits if they develop cancer, as their job-related exposure would be presumed to cause it - similar to current firefighter protections. The bill directly affects arson investigators working in these specific state and local law enforcement roles.

HB 1466 requires all Tennessee public schools and charter schools to administer the Presidential Fitness Test annually to assess students' strength, endurance, and flexibility. The test, based on a 2025 federal executive order, must be given without affecting students' grades, and schools must provide reasonable accommodations for students with IEPs or 504 plans. The state education department must notify schools 30 days before testing begins and report participation and results to lawmakers if the test is later revoked. This bill directly affects every K-12 student in Tennessee's public schools and their school districts.

This House Joint Resolution (HJR 3) is a memorial resolution honoring Dr. Zachary Tyler Medley of Cookeville, Tennessee, following his passing. It commemorates his life and service as a pharmacist, community leader, and family man, highlighting his work at Infinity Pharmacies, his education, and his dedication to family and faith. The resolution expresses the General Assembly’s condolences to his family and affirms his legacy of integrity and public service. As a purely commemorative measure with no policy changes, it does not affect laws, regulations, or any specific group.

This ceremonial resolution (HJR 4) formally honors Lee Erwin for 50 years of service in radio broadcasting, specifically recognizing his work with Clarksville stations like Q108, Beaver 100.3, Rewind 94.3, and Z97.5. It celebrates his community contributions, including awards from the Clarksville City Council for his broadcasting career and volunteer work with the Salvation Army and United Way. The resolution has no legal effect or policy changes - it is purely a symbolic tribute with no direct impact on individuals or legislation.

HB 169 requires health benefit plans in Tennessee that cover prescription contraceptives to provide a 12-month refill option for insured individuals, starting January 1, 2026. This applies to all health insurance plans (including TennCare and CoverKids programs) that renew or issue coverage after that date, directly affecting people with such plans who use contraceptives. The bill amends Tennessee law to define "health benefit plan" broadly and specifies that contraceptive coverage must include this extended refill option. It does not change existing contraceptive coverage requirements but adds a specific provision for 12-month supplies. The effective date was updated from 2024 to 2026 in the bill.

HB 679 increases compensation for healthcare providers who perform forensic exams on sexual assault victims from $1,000 to $2,500 per exam, directly affecting providers who bill the criminal injuries compensation fund. It also requires the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation to complete DNA or serology analysis on sexual assault evidence kits within 120 days of receiving them from law enforcement, with specific procedures for delays. The bill sets a July 1, 2025 effective date for both provisions, applying to exams performed and kits received after that date. These changes aim to improve compensation for medical providers and streamline forensic evidence processing in sexual assault cases.