Tennessee Bills

HB 2472 amends Tennessee's criminal code to redefine "criminally negligent conduct" for negligent homicide charges. It specifically includes failing to assist someone who is unconscious or needs medical care *if* the person knows or should know the condition resulted from controlled substance use. This directly affects individuals who witness drug-related medical emergencies but do not provide aid. The bill expands the legal definition of negligent homicide to cover these situations, effective July 1, 2026, without changing existing penalties. The amendment applies only to cases where drug use caused the medical emergency.

HB 2193 prevents Tennessee's governor from deciding to leave the federal Summer EBT program (SUN Bucks) without legislative approval. It requires the General Assembly to authorize such a decision through a joint resolution before the governor can opt out or disenroll the state. The bill directly affects the governor's authority over participation in this program, which provides food benefits to over 700,000 children annually. It establishes a clear legislative oversight mechanism for enrollment decisions regarding this federal program.

HB 2608, the "PEEPS Act," regulates how Tennessee government agencies access historical location data (like cell phone or vehicle tracking records) to protect individual privacy. It requires government officials to obtain a search warrant for most access (except for specific exceptions like vehicle theft reports, emergencies, or traffic enforcement), prohibits sharing or selling this data to private companies, and mandates data destruction within 2-7 days unless preserved for a criminal case. Government entities must also encrypt stored data, maintain detailed access logs, and adopt security policies. This law directly affects all Tennessee government agencies and officials handling location data, while safeguarding the privacy of residents whose data is collected.

HB 2401 changes the deadline for Tennessee county legislative bodies to submit an annual report on the use of judicial commissioners from April 1 to April 30. This report must be provided to judges of the general sessions criminal court and chairs of relevant legislative committees. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 40-1-111, solely adjusting the submission timeline without altering the report's content or requirements. This procedural change affects county legislative bodies statewide and applies to annual reporting cycles.

HB 2525, the "Pot for Potholes Act," proposes to establish Tennessee's first regulatory system for marijuana, governing cultivation, processing, and retail sales under the Department of Agriculture. The bill sets specific rules, including requiring child-resistant, opaque, and resealable packaging for products, defining "adult" as 21+ years old, and clarifying terms like "edible marijuana products." It would directly affect businesses seeking licenses to operate in the marijuana industry - such as growers, processors, and retailers - by creating licensing requirements and operational standards. The bill also includes provisions for funding product safety measures and minor protections, aiming to align Tennessee with states that have legalized marijuana regulations.

HB 2315 would allow licensed psychologists in Tennessee to prescribe certain medications, including controlled substances, after meeting specific education and training requirements. To qualify, psychologists must complete a post-doctoral master's program in clinical psychopharmacology (with 450 patient contact hours), pass a national exam, and complete a one-year fellowship with at least 100 patient evaluations under physician supervision. The Tennessee Board of Examiners in Psychology would certify qualified psychologists and establish renewal rules. This bill would directly affect psychologists seeking prescribing authority and their patients, expanding access to mental health treatment options within psychology practice.

SB 2482 allows physicians in Tennessee to submit required abortion reports electronically to the commissioner of health, instead of on paper. This bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (including Title 39) to add electronic submission as a permitted method for the existing reporting requirement. The change applies to physicians who perform abortions and must file these reports after the procedure. It does not alter the content, timing, or necessity of the reports - only the submission method.

HB 2266 amends Tennessee law to increase the penalty for vehicular homicide from a Class C felony to a Class B felony when the death results from a driver traveling more than 20 miles per hour over the posted speed limit. The bill directly affects drivers whose extreme speeding (defined as exceeding the speed limit by 20+ mph) causes a fatal crash. It creates a specific speed threshold ("extreme and excessive rate of speed") and upgrades the felony classification for such cases. This change applies to prosecutions under Tennessee Code Annotated Sections 39-13-213(a)(5) and (b)(4), effective July 1, 2026.

SB 2395, titled the "Fourth Amendment is Not for Sale Act," prohibits state and local government employees or contractors from purchasing or licensing personal data instead of obtaining a warrant to access an individual's information. It creates a Class B misdemeanor offense for violations, directly affecting government officials who handle personal data under existing warrant requirements. Key exceptions include emergencies (like life-threatening situations), consent from the individual, or federal law mandates. The law amends multiple Tennessee code sections to enforce this requirement, effective July 1, 2026.

SB 2682 requires Tennessee governors, state legislators, and U.S. congressional members (and their spouses) to divest or place specific investments in a blind trust by October 1, 2026 (or within 90 days of taking office for new officials). It defines "covered investments" as stocks, commodities, or certain funds but excludes diversified mutual funds, ETFs, treasury bonds, and retirement plans. Officials must submit compliance certificates to the commissioner and face daily civil penalties of up to $1,000 for non-compliance. The bill aims to reduce potential conflicts of interest by separating public officials' personal finances from investments that could influence their decisions.

HB 2321 allows physicians performing abortions in Tennessee to submit required health reports electronically to the commissioner of health, instead of on paper. This bill directly affects healthcare providers who must file these reports and the health department that receives them. The key change amends multiple sections of Tennessee law (Titles 36-41, 55, 62-63, and 71) to permit digital submission, streamlining the reporting process. It does not change abortion access or medical standards - it only updates how physicians submit mandated administrative reports. The bill is procedural, focusing solely on modernizing the reporting method.

HB 2558 extends the deadline for healthcare facilities to file written opposition to new facility applications from 15 to 30 days before a commission hearing. This affects hospitals or healthcare institutions seeking to build or expand in Tennessee, as they must now give opponents more time to respond. The bill amends Tennessee law to require that public notices about proposed projects include a statement about this extended notice period. The change takes effect on July 1, 2026.