HB 693 eliminates a requirement that could force insured patients to pay administrative fees for pharmacist-provided hormonal contraceptives when their pharmacy benefit already covers the cost. The bill directly affects insured patients using pharmacy benefits for hormonal contraceptives and pharmacists who dispense these medications. Key provisions amend Tennessee law to change language from "shall prohibit" to "must not prohibit" fees, ensuring patients cannot be charged extra for covered contraceptives. This change applies to all pharmacists authorized under Tennessee law who provide hormonal contraceptives to insured patients. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 1377, the Voluntary Portable Benefit Plan Act, allows businesses to voluntarily contribute to portable benefit plans for independent contractors. These plans, administered by third-party providers chosen by the contractor, cover health, disability, unemployment, life insurance, and retirement benefits. Contributions can be made directly by the business or by withholding a portion of the contractor’s pay, but only with a clear written opt-in agreement and the ability to opt out at any time. The bill amends Tennessee law to ensure these contributions cannot be used to determine a worker’s employment classification as an employee or independent contractor.
HB 62 authorizes Tennessee athletic trainers to use dry needling for preventing, treating, and rehabilitating athletic injuries, directly affecting licensed athletic trainers in the state. The bill requires the Board of Athletic Trainers to establish minimum competency standards that practitioners must demonstrate to safely perform dry needling. It clarifies that this practice does not constitute acupuncture under existing law. The policy change expands athletic trainers' scope of practice with specific safety safeguards, effective March 28, 2025.
SB 569 prevents pharmacies from charging administrative fees for hormonal contraceptives when a patient's insurance covers the cost and includes pharmacy benefits. It directly affects insured patients seeking hormonal contraceptives and pharmacists who previously might have charged such fees. The bill amends Tennessee law to remove language allowing pharmacies to require these fees, ensuring patients covered by insurance do not face additional costs. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all pharmacies in Tennessee.
SB 174 amends Tennessee law to update requirements for surgical assistants seeking board registration. It adds the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) as an accepted credentialing body alongside the National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants, allowing applicants to maintain current ABSA credentials. The bill also removes the December 31, 2019, deadline for applicants to register based on practical experience, making registration more flexible. This change directly affects surgical assistants in Tennessee seeking state licensure, effective March 25, 2025. The law modifies Tennessee Code Annotated § 63-6-219(b)(1) and (b)(3).
HB 155 amends Tennessee law to allow registered nurses to pronounce death for patients or residents in nursing homes, hospitals, or assisted-care facilities without needing to confirm the death was "anticipated." The bill removes this prior requirement and instead requires the attending physician's written agreement to sign the death certificate, which must be present at the time of death. This change directly affects registered nurses working in healthcare facilities by expanding their authority to formally declare death. The law took effect upon enactment (April 8, 2025), streamlining the death certification process for healthcare providers.
HB 186 modifies Tennessee's medical licensing rules for surgical assistants. It allows applicants to register using current credentials from the American Board of Surgical Assistants (ABSA) in addition to the existing National Commission for Certification of Surgical Assistants (NCCSA), expanding acceptable credentialing options. The bill also removes the December 31, 2019, deadline for applicants with specific practical experience to register. This directly affects surgical assistants seeking state registration in Tennessee by simplifying credential recognition and eliminating a time-sensitive requirement. The changes apply to the Board of Medical Examiners' registration process under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 63, Chapter 6.
HB 1319 extends Tennessee's CoverKids program, which provides health insurance for children, by changing its expiration date from June 30, 2025, to June 30, 2030. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 71-3-1113 to update this deadline. The bill directly affects low-income children and families enrolled in CoverKids, ensuring continued eligibility for coverage through 2030. This is a straightforward extension of an existing program, with no changes to eligibility criteria or funding structure. The bill became law on April 8, 2025.
HB 1157, the "Restore Trust in Public Health Messaging Act," requires Tennessee's Department of Health, local health departments, and state executive branch to ensure all public communications about FDA-regulated products (like medications) accurately reflect the FDA-approved or FDA-authorized labels. It prohibits promoting information that conflicts with these labels, including general product categories unless universally true or properly qualified. The law mandates an internal compliance review by July 2025, annual reporting to state officials starting in 2026, and a complaint process for violations with potential penalties. This directly affects state health agencies' public messaging about medical products, aiming to align communications with federal FDA standards.
HB 1169 requires Tennessee's Council on Children's Mental Health to submit annual reports starting June 30, 2026, detailing the statewide mental health system for children. The reports must cover current services (including state/federal programs), gaps in care, and recommendations for better coordination between agencies. The council must gather input from relevant departments (mental health, education, health, etc.) to create a comprehensive overview. These reports will be shared with the governor, legislative leaders, and agency heads. The bill, effective March 28, 2025, updates existing law to ensure regular oversight of children's mental health services.
