Tennessee Bills

HB 2353 would require Tennessee's Department of Human Services to provide applicants for temporary assistance (welfare benefits) with a written notice of their eligibility determination, rather than a general notice. This change directly affects individuals applying for welfare programs by ensuring they receive a clear, written record of their eligibility status. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71, Section 71-3-107(f), by replacing the word "notice" with "written notice" to specify the required format. The policy aims to increase transparency and clarity in the welfare application process for applicants.

HB 2092 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to launch a public outreach campaign about Charcot-Marie-Tooth Disease research, using print, radio, social media, and other materials. The campaign must include a toll-free hotline for individuals to report diagnoses or donate to research, with specific funding categories covering data portals, community outreach, materials, and evaluation. It mandates the campaign run until July 1, 2027, and takes effect on July 1, 2026. The bill directly affects individuals with this rare neurological condition and the Department of Health, which must implement these specific outreach mechanisms.

HB 2354, introduced as House Bill 2354, changes sentencing for sexual battery committed by authority figures (such as teachers, coaches, or counselors) in Tennessee. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39 (criminal procedure) and Title 40 (sentencing), specifically removing probation eligibility for this offense under Section 39-13-527. This means individuals convicted of sexual battery by an authority figure will no longer qualify for probation and must face other sentencing options. The law would take effect July 1, 2026, applying to offenses occurring on or after that date.

HB 2334 transfers oversight of the Elevator and Amusement Device Safety Board and the Board of Boiler Rules from the Department of Labor to the Department of Commerce and Insurance. This administrative change affects how safety standards for elevators, amusement rides, and boiler systems are managed. The bill updates Tennessee law to reflect this departmental shift and includes new definitions for amusement devices and safety equipment in Title 62. It does not change existing safety regulations but alters which state department administers the oversight.

HB 1790 lowers the minimum age requirement for obtaining a school bus driver endorsement in Tennessee from 25 to 23 years old. It also gives local school boards and public charter school governing bodies the authority to establish additional driver qualification standards focused on student safety. The bill amends specific Tennessee Code sections to implement these changes, allowing districts to set policies beyond the basic age requirement. These updates directly affect new school bus drivers and school districts responsible for hiring and safety protocols.

HB 1836 increases the reimbursement rate for ambulance services under TennCare from 67.5% to 110% of the federal Medicare program's allowable charges for participating providers. It also deletes the Ground Ambulance Service Provider Assessment Act, removing a requirement for ambulance providers to pay an annual assessment. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026, and specifies that any remaining funds in the ambulance service assessment revenue fund after June 30, 2026, must stay in the fund until expended. This change directly affects ambulance service providers participating in TennCare.

HB 1534 would allow Tennessee's Commissioner of Health to use federal Title V maternal and child health funds (with federal permission) to create a program for women who experience stillbirth. The program would cover burial or disposal costs for stillborn children and provide educational scholarships to these women. It specifically amends Tennessee law to authorize this use of funds and permits the commissioner to seek necessary federal waivers. The bill directly affects women who have lost a pregnancy to stillbirth in Tennessee.

HB 1801 exempts active-duty Tennessee military service members stationed out-of-state from paying Tennessee's sales and use tax on vehicle purchases. It directly affects Tennessee residents serving in the military who are temporarily stationed outside the state. The bill amends Tennessee Code Section 67-6-303 to add a specific tax exemption for these service members. The exemption takes effect July 1, 2026, applying to new vehicle sales to qualifying military personnel.

HB 1755 adds a mandatory 30-day jail sentence for drivers convicted of DUI who were operating a vehicle within a marked school zone when warning flashers (like those on school buses) were active. This applies to all DUI convictions meeting both conditions, increasing the sentence beyond the standard penalty under Tennessee law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 55-10-401 and 55-10-402 to implement this change, effective July 1, 2026. It directly affects drivers convicted of DUI in active school zone scenarios with operational warning lights. The provision does not apply to DUI offenses without these specific conditions.

HB 1887 creates a state licensure process for "prescribed pediatric extended care programs" (PPECs) in Tennessee, which provide nonresidential care to medically dependent or technologically dependent minors (under age 20) requiring ongoing, technology-based medical services (like ventilator support). The bill requires facilities operating these programs to obtain a license, limits care to 12 hours per day (not 24-hour care), and mandates that TennCare submit a federal Medicaid waiver request to cover services provided by licensed PPECs. It directly affects vulnerable minors with complex medical needs, their families, and PPEC operators seeking to provide these specialized services. The law amends Tennessee health, insurance, and social services codes to establish licensing standards, facility requirements, and oversight for these programs.

HB 1767 would exempt the retail sale of food and food ingredients from Tennessee's sales tax for families with qualifying dependents who meet specific income thresholds. Eligible families must apply to the state's Commissioner of Revenue, providing proof of income (such as a federal tax return) to receive a sales tax exemption certificate and wallet-sized card. Retailers would be required to record the exemption account number and maintain documentation to verify the purchaser's eligibility at the point of sale. The exemption applies to food items defined under Tennessee law and would take effect on July 1, 2026, if the bill is enacted.

HB 1865 reduces the distance limit for Tennessee legislators to receive hotel per diem from 50 to 25 miles from the capitol. It also prohibits legislators living within this new 25-mile radius from claiming daily mileage allowances. The bill amends specific sections of Tennessee Code Annotated (3-1-106) to implement these changes to legislative travel reimbursement rules. This affects only state legislators' expense accounts, not the public or other government programs. The changes would take effect November 3, 2026.