Healthcare (Mental Health)

died · Tennessee · House May 1, 2026

HB 2313: Health, Dept. of - As enacted, authorizes the department to establish and administer an early childhood mental health home visiting program as a voluntary, evidence-based and home-based intervention to promote the mental health, developmental progress, and family stability of children from birth to five years of age and their families. - Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 68, Chapter 1.

HB 2313 authorizes Tennessee's Department of Health to establish a voluntary, home-based mental health program for children from birth to age five and their families. It directly affects families facing stressors like poverty, trauma, or parental mental health challenges by providing evidence-based home visits from licensed clinicians. Key provisions include home-based therapy, care coordination to connect families with services, developmental assessments, and strict quality standards to ensure program effectiveness. The program must prioritize at-risk families, coordinate with existing services, and report annually on outcomes and funding to the legislature.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareHB 2313 establishes a new state-funded mental health home visiting program for children ages 0-5, directly expanding access to evidence-based mental health services for vulnerable families.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 1946: Consumer Protection - As enacted, requires the Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR) to conduct a study of the potential regulation of artificial intelligence systems and generative artificial intelligence chatbots in this state. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 37 and Title 47.

HB 1946, the "Curbing Harmful AI Technology (CHAT) Act," prohibits AI chatbots designed to mimic human relationships (called "companion chatbots") from being made available to minors in Tennessee if they could encourage self-harm, illegal activity, secrecy, or unsafe isolation. It requires companies to display clear disclaimers that the chatbot is not human during use and to notify users every 30 minutes. The bill also mandates that AI chatbots detect suicidal thoughts or self-harm expressions and redirect users to crisis services like the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. This directly affects companies developing or deploying companion chatbots in Tennessee that interact with minors, excluding standard customer service or internal business AI.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates AI chatbots to detect suicidal thoughts and prevent self-harm, directly supporting mental health protection for minors.85% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI chatbots to prevent harm to minors, requiring disclaimers and notifications, aligning with consumer protection measures for digital safety.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection Tags Consumer Protection

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in committee · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 1774: Health Care - As introduced, requires the secretary of state to place an advisory ballot question on the November general election ballot in 2026 regarding the legalization of a regulated medical cannabis program. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 4; Title 39; Title 43; Title 53; Title 57; Title 63; Title 67 and Title 68.

HB 1774 requires Tennessee's Secretary of State to place an advisory ballot question on the November 2026 general election ballot asking voters if the state should authorize a regulated medical cannabis program. If approved, the program would allow medical cannabis use for qualifying patients, with tax revenue dedicated to after-school programs, mental health services, law enforcement training, and community education. The bill does not create the program itself but seeks voter approval through an advisory referendum. It directly affects all Tennessee voters in the 2026 election and would determine whether a future regulated medical cannabis system is implemented.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesTax revenue from regulated medical cannabis would fund mental health services, after-school programs, and community education per bill summary, directly supporting public service funding.95% confidence ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill dedicates cannabis tax revenue to after-school programs and community education, directly funding educational initiatives per summary.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareAllocates tax revenue from medical cannabis program to mental health services, directly funding a healthcare component per bill summary.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Mental Health

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signed · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 1816: Drugs, Prescription - As enacted, requires the Tennessee opioid abatement council to allocate funds held in the opioid abatement fund in a certain manner. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 38 and Title 41.

HB 1816, "The Isbill Act," requires Tennessee law enforcement officers and correctional staff to undergo annual training on the criteria for involuntary hospitalization for mental health treatment. Specifically, it mandates the POST Commission and Tennessee Corrections Institute to create and adopt guidelines explaining when emergency and non-emergency involuntary admissions to inpatient care are appropriate. These guidelines will directly affect all law enforcement officers and correctional personnel in the state. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 33, 38, and 41 to implement these training requirements, effective July 1, 2027.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeRequires law enforcement training on mental health involuntary admissions, reducing criminalization of mental health crises and aligning with reform goals.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual mental health training for law enforcement on involuntary admission criteria, improving protocol access to inpatient care and aligning with mental health service support indicators.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Drug Policy Law Enforcement Hospitals Mental Health Substance Abuse

signed · Tennessee · Senate Apr 6, 2026

SB 1580: Health Care - As enacted, prohibits a person from developing or deploying an artificial intelligence system that advertises or represents to the public that such system is or is able to act as a qualified mental health professional. - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 47 and Title 63.

SB 1580 prohibits developers and deployers of artificial intelligence systems from advertising or claiming that their AI can act as a qualified mental health professional. This directly affects AI companies and developers who market their systems to the public. Violations are treated as deceptive practices under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act, subject to a $5,000 civil penalty per violation. The law defines "artificial intelligence" broadly as systems capable of human-like reasoning and learning.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI from falsely claiming mental health professional status, protecting consumers and upholding service standards in mental health care.95% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyProhibits AI from falsely advertising mental health services, a consumer protection measure aligning with technology regulation for user safety.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health Artificial Intelligence

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1930: Health Care - As introduced, revises requirement for the department of commerce and insurance to report on coverage for mental health, alcoholism, and drug dependency. - Amends TCA Title 56.

HB 1930 amends Tennessee law to require the Department of Commerce and Insurance to submit annual reports on health insurance coverage for mental health, alcoholism, and drug dependency by January 31 each year. Previously, the reports were due "each year thereafter" without a specific deadline, but this change establishes a fixed submission date. The bill directly affects the agency responsible for filing these reports and ensures the public receives timely data on coverage for these conditions. This adjustment standardizes the reporting timeline without altering the content or scope of the required information.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates annual reports on mental health coverage transparency, enhancing accountability and public access to healthcare data per bill's purpose.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 3, 2026

SB 2033: Employees, Employers - As introduced, requires employers that condition employment or prospective employment upon an employee or prospective employee submitting to a mental health evaluation to grant the employee or prospective employee reasonable access to the results of the mental health evaluation, including any report from a mental health professional or other evaluator; provides a private right of action for an employee or prospective employee who is denied such access. - Amends TCA Title 8 and Title 50.

SB 2033 requires Tennessee employers who make mental health evaluations a condition of employment or hiring to provide employees and job applicants with reasonable access to the evaluation results, including reports from mental health professionals. This applies to all employers (including state agencies) and directly affects workers and job seekers who undergo such evaluations. The bill creates a private right of action, allowing individuals to sue employers who deny access to results and seek court orders, attorney fees, and costs if they win. The law takes effect upon enactment, ensuring transparency in employment-related mental health assessments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects patient access to mental health evaluation results, aligning with healthcare rights protection under mental health services.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires employers to grant workers access to mental health evaluation results and enables legal action for denial, directly protecting workers' rights regarding personal health data in employment decisions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1700: Consumer Protection - As enacted, requires the Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR) to conduct a study of the potential regulation of artificial intelligence systems and generative artificial intelligence chatbots in this state. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 37 and Title 47.

SB 1700, the "Curbing Harmful AI Technology (CHAT) Act," regulates companion chatbots that interact with minors under 18 in Tennessee. It requires operators to prevent chatbots from encouraging self-harm, violence, illegal activity, or secrecy, and mandates clear disclaimers that the user is not interacting with a human (at login, every 30 minutes, and when seeking regulated advice). Developers must also include mental health crisis referrals for users expressing suicidal ideation. The law directly affects companies developing or deploying companion chatbots targeting minors, excluding those used for customer service, internal business, or clinical settings under professional supervision.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires mental health crisis referrals for suicidal ideation, directly supporting mental health services under healthcare policy.90% confidence ✓ TechnologySupports TechnologyRegulates AI chatbots interacting with minors to prevent harm, requiring disclaimers and mental health referrals, aligning with consumer protection regulations for digital safety.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Artificial Intelligence Consumer Data Protection

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1761: Firefighters - As introduced, requires this state's employee assistance program, including components for mental health and wellness, to be available to all active members of a volunteer fire department and all active volunteer members of a combination fire department; makes various other changes. - Amends TCA Section 8-50-119 and Title 68, Chapter 102.

HB 1761 requires Tennessee's state employee assistance program - providing mental health and wellness support - to be available to all active volunteer firefighters in recognized volunteer and combination fire departments, with the state covering all costs. It directly affects volunteer members of these departments, who previously may not have had access to such state-funded support. The bill amends two key sections of state code to expand eligibility and clarify program access, while also making minor technical updates to fire department reporting requirements. The policy change takes effect January 1, 2027, and aims to address mental health needs specific to frontline fire service workers.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareExpands state-funded mental health services to volunteer firefighters via employee assistance program, explicitly requiring coverage for mental health components with state cost coverage.90% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentExpands state-funded mental health benefits to volunteer firefighters, directly enhancing workplace wellness support and access to employee assistance programs.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Public Employees

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 5, 2026

SB 2032: Employees, Employers - As enacted, requires a public safety employer to provide an employee or prospective employee with reasonable access to the employee's or prospective employee's full employment record, including the results of any mental health evaluation or screening; makes certain other changes relative to employment by a public safety employer. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 38; Title 50; Title 62 and Title 68.

SB 2032 requires Tennessee public safety employers (such as police departments, fire services, and emergency medical personnel) to provide employees and job applicants with reasonable access to their full employment records, including mental health evaluation results. If an applicant is denied employment based on a mental health evaluation, they can request the evaluation results and submit an alternative evaluation at their own expense, which the employer must review. The bill amends multiple Tennessee codes to implement these transparency requirements and allows employees to sue for violations, with the winning party recovering attorney fees. This law directly affects public safety workers and job seekers in roles involving protection of persons or property.

Topics ✓ Criminal JusticeSupports Criminal JusticeBill ensures transparency in mental health evaluations for public safety employment, protecting applicants' rights and promoting fair hiring practices within law enforcement, aligning with accountability reforms.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill ensures public safety employees access to mental health evaluation records used in employment decisions, protecting individual rights regarding mental health documentation.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentRequires public safety employers to provide access to employment records including mental health evaluations and allows applicants to challenge denials with alternative evaluations, strengthening transparency and due process for workers.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Policing Mental Health Public Employees Tags Public Safety