Tennessee Bills

SB 1565 would authorize Tennessee's Department of Health to use federal Title V maternal and child health funds (subject to federal approval) to create a program for women who experience stillbirth. The program would provide financial assistance to cover burial or disposition costs for stillborn children and fund educational scholarships for affected women. It requires the commissioner to seek any necessary federal waivers to implement the program. The bill amends Tennessee health codes to establish this support mechanism for women who have endured pregnancy loss.

SB 2110 removes probation as an option for individuals convicted of sexual battery committed by an authority figure (such as teachers, coaches, or youth workers). The bill amends Tennessee law (TCA § 39-13-527) to require mandatory sentencing for this specific offense, meaning judges cannot grant probation to offenders in these cases. It applies to crimes committed on or after July 1, 2026, and directly affects people convicted of sexual battery by someone in a position of trust or authority. This change modifies sentencing guidelines under Title 40 of Tennessee law to ensure stricter consequences for these offenses.

SB 2082 allocates state funds for the 2025-2026 fiscal years to cover general government operations and specifically earmarks transportation funds for naming highways or bridges in honor of service members killed in action. The bill directs the Department of Transportation to set aside sufficient funds to cover costs for any legislation naming a highway or bridge as a memorial, as defined in Tennessee law (TCA §54-1-133). It directly affects state budgeting for transportation projects and legislative honors, ensuring funding is reserved for these memorial designations. The key provision (Section 1) guarantees dedicated state funds for these honors without requiring additional legislative appropriations.

SB 1963 modifies Tennessee's professional privilege tax for attorneys by exempting those who have practiced law for 20 years or more. It directly affects licensed attorneys with two decades or more of active practice, removing them from the tax's application. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated §67-4-1702(3) to clarify that the tax applies only to attorneys with less than 20 years of practice. This change takes effect for taxes due after May 31, 2027.

SB 1653 increases Tennessee's maximum liability for state tort claims. It raises the cap from $300,000 per person suing to $500,000 per claimant and from $1 million per incident to $1.5 million per occurrence. This change directly affects individuals or entities filing lawsuits against the state for injuries or property damage caused by state actions. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 9-8-307(e) and takes effect July 1, 2026.

SB 1911 requires Tennessee's Department of Human Services to apply for federal summer food benefits (SEBT program) each year the program is available. This would provide nutrition assistance to eligible children during summer months when school is not in session. The bill amends state law to mandate annual applications for federal funds through the SEBT program, ensuring continued access to food for qualifying children. It directly affects low-income children in Tennessee who rely on school meal programs during the academic year.

SB 1919 exempts Tennessee teachers employed by public schools or charter schools from paying sales tax on school supplies, art supplies, and instructional materials priced at $100 or less per item. Teachers must obtain a state-issued exemption certificate by providing proof of employment and confirming they spend at least 50% of their time teaching. The exemption excludes computers, software, video game consoles, clothing, and items for personal use outside the classroom. Retailers must report these tax-exempt sales on their returns and retain records of the exemption certificates.

SB 1920 makes it a crime to use a phone or similar device with the intent to steal property without the owner's consent, such as through scams or fraudulent calls. It directly affects individuals who commit this type of theft using telecommunications. The bill sets a minimum penalty of a Class E felony (the least serious felony in Tennessee) for this offense, while still allowing for harsher punishment under existing theft laws. This creates a specific legal standard for "telecommunication fraud" as a form of theft.

SB 1928 updates Tennessee law to clarify who qualifies as a "victim" in criminal cases. It adds victims and their representatives to court procedures (e.g., allowing a victim’s designated representative to attend proceedings), expands the definition to include entities like insurance companies that compensated victims, and specifies protections for victims in cases involving vehicular homicide or evading arrest that caused injury. This directly affects crime victims seeking legal protections during court proceedings. The bill makes these definitions more explicit to ensure victims’ voices are heard in the judicial process.

SB 1715 requires Tennessee school districts (LEAs) to classify school nurses as "licensed personnel" for salary purposes, meaning they must be paid according to the same salary schedule used for licensed teachers. Specifically, school nurses employed by districts must receive the base salary for licensed teachers with a bachelor's degree and zero experience, with adjustments for more or less training/experience. The bill prevents districts from reducing current nurses' salaries when implementing this policy and clarifies it does not apply to contracted nursing services. This directly affects school nurses employed by public school districts, changing how their compensation is structured relative to teaching staff.

SB 1842 reduces the annual professional privilege tax for attorneys in Tennessee from $400 to $200 per year. This change directly affects licensed attorneys who pay the tax under Tennessee Code §67-4-1702(1) or (2), applying to tax years beginning on or after June 1, 2027. The bill amends Tennessee Code Title 67, Chapter 4, Part 17, to update the tax rate while maintaining the June 1 payment deadline. The policy change simplifies the tax burden for attorneys without altering the filing requirements or other tax categories.

SB 2067 modifies an existing Tennessee law requiring the Department of Commerce and Insurance to report on health insurance coverage for mental health, alcoholism, and drug dependency. It changes the reporting deadline from "each year thereafter" to a specific annual deadline of January 31. This technical amendment directly affects the Department of Commerce and Insurance by updating their schedule for submitting these annual reports. The bill does not alter coverage requirements or benefits for patients; it only adjusts the timing for the department's reporting obligation.