SB 299 amends Tennessee's medical cannabis commission membership requirements to include a patient caregiver (or former caregiver of a deceased patient) and a subject matter expert in cannabis cultivation, processing, distribution, or medical prescription. The bill also updates the commission's reporting duties to explicitly allow it to provide policy recommendations to the legislature alongside its findings. These changes, effective April 15, 2025, directly affect how the commission is structured and the scope of its advice to lawmakers on medical cannabis policy.
SB 849 requires Tennessee medical and osteopathic boards to create an optional continuing education course on maternal mental health for healthcare professionals. It directly affects physicians specializing in obstetrics/gynecology, pediatrics, and psychiatry, as well as certain psychologists. The course must cover screening practices, types of maternal mental health disorders, evidence-based treatments, and when to consult a psychiatrist. Boards must update the curriculum periodically to reflect new research and accept course completion as credit toward required continuing education.
SB 1146 requires county medical examiners to test decedents involved in mass shootings (resulting in four or more deaths) for all drugs, including psychotropic medications used for mental health conditions. It mandates anonymized data sharing with the University of Tennessee Health Science Center and the Department of Health, prohibiting disclosure of identifying information. The health science center must study drug interactions and submit quarterly reports to legislative health committees. The law, effective July 1, 2025, applies to medical examiners, health agencies, and the University of Tennessee, while requiring compliance with privacy laws.
SB 955, now known as the "Medical Ethics Defense Act," protects Tennessee healthcare providers from being forced to participate in or pay for medical procedures that conflict with their conscience. It defines "conscience" as sincerely held ethical, moral, or religious beliefs and prohibits discriminatory actions - like termination or penalties - against providers who refuse specific procedures based on those beliefs. The law also safeguards providers who report violations of this act, preventing retaliation for whistleblowing. This applies to healthcare professionals, institutions, and payers but excludes procedures governed by federal law (such as emergency care under EMTALA).
SB 449, the "Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act," establishes legal rights for individuals in Tennessee to access fertility treatments and contraception without state prohibition. It defines "fertility treatment" broadly to include procedures like in vitro fertilization, genetic testing of embryos, and medication for fertility, while defining "contraception" to cover methods such as birth control pills, emergency contraceptives, and sterilization. The law explicitly states that Tennessee law does not prohibit these activities, overriding conflicting state laws. This act takes effect on July 1, 2025, directly affecting all residents seeking these health services within the state.
SB 436 requires Tennessee's Medicaid program (TennCare) to consider using biosimilar drugs - cost-saving, FDA-approved versions of biologic medications - as part of its drug coverage strategy. It also allows health insurers to require patients to try a biosimilar before covering a branded drug, and directs the state's pharmacy advisory committee to factor biosimilar use into recommendations for the state drug formulary. The bill amends multiple Tennessee Code sections governing drug coverage, pharmacy practices, and formulary decisions. These changes aim to reduce prescription drug costs by expanding the use of biosimilars while maintaining FDA safety and efficacy standards. The bill directly affects TennCare patients, health insurers, and the state's drug formulary decision-making process.
HB 1198 requires Tennessee health insurers and TennCare to allow patients to try biosimilar drugs (cost-effective copies of brand-name medications) before covering the original branded drug. It amends state law to permit health carriers to mandate a biosimilar trial for equivalent branded prescriptions, removing prior requirements for generic drug trials. The bill also directs TennCare’s pharmacy committee to consider biosimilar drugs when recommending medications for the state’s preferred drug list. These changes aim to reduce prescription drug costs by increasing biosimilar adoption, as stated in the bill’s legislative findings.
SB 789 amends Tennessee's licensure rules for marriage and family therapists to clarify student and trainee roles, update supervisor qualifications, and revise associate license requirements. It allows students in accredited programs to use titles like "marital therapy intern" under supervision, expands the definition of "approved supervisor" to include more licensed mental health professionals, and requires associate license holders to pass a licensing exam within nine months while practicing under supervision. The bill also specifies that associate license holders must display their status as "associate licensed marriage and family therapist" (AMFT) and cannot claim full licensure. These changes directly affect therapy students, trainees, and practitioners seeking licensure in Tennessee.
SB 428 requires insurers offering health insurance plans to Tennessee state employees to treat non-opioid pain medications (FDA-approved for pain treatment) equally with opioids on their preferred drug list, ensuring they are not disadvantaged in coverage or discouraged. It also mandates separate reimbursement for healthcare providers and hospitals when non-opioid pain treatments are provided to covered employees. The law applies immediately upon FDA approval of a non-opioid drug and takes effect July 1, 2025. This directly affects insurers and state employee health plans under Tennessee Code.
HB 959 updates Tennessee's licensure rules for marriage and family therapists. It allows students in accredited programs to use titles like "marital therapy intern" while supervised, and clarifies that associate license holders must use "associate licensed marriage and family therapist" or "AMFT" (not implying full licensure). The bill creates specific pathways for associate licensure, requiring a 9-month exam deadline and supervised practice under approved supervisors, while defining "approved supervisor" to include AAMFT-approved professionals. These changes directly affect therapy students, trainees, and practitioners seeking licensure in Tennessee.
