SB 1342 requires Tennessee's Council on Children's Mental Health Care to submit annual reports starting June 30, 2026, detailing the status of the state's children's mental health system and service delivery. The reports must include a current list of all state and federally funded mental health programs for children, along with recommendations for improving coordination between agencies and addressing treatment gaps. The council must share these reports with the governor, state agency commissioners, and legislative leaders. This bill does not create new programs but mandates regular, comprehensive assessments to inform state-level decision-making on children's mental health services.
SB 1031, the "Restore Trust in Public Health Messaging Act," requires Tennessee's health departments and state agencies to align all public communications about FDA-approved drugs and medical products with the FDA's official labels. It directly affects the Tennessee Department of Health, local health departments, and state executive branch employees who share information about medications or health products. The bill prohibits promoting claims that conflict with FDA labels, mandates internal reviews by July 2025, and requires annual compliance reports to the legislature. Violations trigger investigations by the comptroller, with potential penalties for noncompliance. This law aims to ensure state health messaging is scientifically accurate and consistent with federal standards.
SB 321 creates an advisory task force to review and recommend annual adjustments to state reimbursement rates paid to healthcare providers under state contracts. The task force, composed of 6 appointed members (3 by each legislative chamber, representing health professions) plus agency representatives, will assess whether reimbursement rates cover agencies' costs, staff salaries, and administrative expenses for frontline healthcare workers. It must submit annual recommendations by August 1, starting in 2026, focusing on ensuring rates are adequate to support quality care for vulnerable populations. This bill directly affects state-contracted healthcare agencies and providers who serve Medicaid and other state-funded programs.
SB 267 clarifies that medical laboratories operating collection stations in Tennessee do not need an additional license for those stations, regardless of where specimens are transported, provided the laboratory owner retains full ownership and oversight. This directly affects medical laboratories and their collection sites, eliminating redundant licensing requirements. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 68-29-122 to specify that only non-owner-operated collection stations require a separate license, while all stations must still follow board rules. The change takes effect July 1, 2025, streamlining operations for lab-owned collection points.
SB 318, the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act," prohibits Tennessee health insurers from covering organ transplants sourced from the People's Republic of China or performed there, effective January 1, 2026. It also bans medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencing equipment or software produced by or linked to "foreign adversaries" (defined as nations on U.S. sanctions lists), requiring replacement within 180 days. The bill restricts storage of genetic sequencing data to U.S. geographic locations and prohibits remote access from outside the U.S. without state health commissioner approval. These provisions directly affect health insurers, hospitals, and research facilities operating in Tennessee.
HB 395, the "Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act," prohibits Tennessee health insurers from covering organ transplants or post-transplant care if the organ was sourced from China or procured through sale/donation originating in China. It also bans medical and research facilities from using genetic sequencing equipment or software produced by entities linked to "foreign adversaries" (specifically targeting China per the bill's context), requiring replacement within 180 days. Additionally, the bill mandates that all genetic sequencing data must be stored within the United States, with remote access from outside the country prohibited without approval from the state health commissioner. The law takes effect on January 1, 2026, directly affecting health insurers, hospitals, and research facilities operating in Tennessee.
HB 498 creates an advisory task force to review and recommend annual adjustments to state reimbursement rates paid to healthcare agencies in Tennessee. The task force, composed of 6 appointed members (3 by each legislative chamber, representing different health professions) and ex-officio agency representatives, will focus on ensuring rates cover agency costs, staff salaries, and administrative needs. It must submit annual recommendations by August 1, starting in 2026, to state officials and legislative committees, considering factors like provider costs, staff compensation, and workforce shortages. The bill directly affects healthcare agencies providing state-funded services, aiming to make reimbursement rates more adequate without changing existing funding levels.
HB 502 expands TennCare coverage to include diagnosis (including genetic testing) and treatment for Kleefstra syndrome, a rare genetic disorder affecting development and multiple body systems. It requires TennCare to provide this coverage in the same manner and extent as for autism spectrum disorder, Down syndrome (Trisomy 21), and other similar genetic disorders, when medically necessary. This applies to all enrolled individuals with Kleefstra syndrome and covers therapies, medications, assistive devices, and interventions aimed at improving quality of life. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, after being signed by the Governor in April 2025.
SB 152 allows patients with severe chronic diseases or terminal illnesses to access investigational stem cell treatments (adult stem cell therapies still in clinical trials and not yet FDA-approved) after their doctors confirm other FDA-approved treatments aren't viable. It requires Tennessee’s health commissioner to create rules listing qualifying medical conditions and mandates doctors to document that all standard treatments were considered before recommending these experimental therapies. The bill also protects physicians from license penalties for following these guidelines and prohibits government interference with patient access. This directly affects patients with qualifying conditions and their treating physicians in Tennessee.
HJR 80 designates May 2025 as "National Hypertension Month" in Tennessee. The resolution urges healthcare providers, insurers, and TennCare to promote hypertension awareness and support coverage for renal denervation therapies, which treat resistant hypertension. It advocates for policy changes to improve access to innovative treatments but does not create new legal requirements. As a symbolic resolution, it encourages state-level action without mandating specific outcomes.
