Healthcare (Mental Health)

in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 15, 2026

HB 1917: Health Care - As introduced, redefines a licensed professional counselor as a limited practice professional counselor; redefines a licensed professional counselor with a designation as a mental health service provider as a licensed professional counselor; terminates the issuance of limited practice professional counselor licenses on July 1, 2028. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 49; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 1917 redefines Tennessee's counseling licensure by creating a new "limited practice professional counselor" (LPPC) category while eliminating the previous distinction. It requires all current LPPC license holders to transition to the standard "licensed professional counselor" (LPC) category by July 1, 2028, when LPPC licenses will no longer be issued. The bill amends multiple state codes to update terminology, clarify requirements for LPC licensure (including specific coursework and supervised experience), and establish the transition timeline. This directly affects current LPPC license holders who must convert to LPC status before the 2028 deadline.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill standardizes mental health counseling licensure by phasing out limited practice licenses and requiring higher standards for all counselors, strengthening professional qualifications in mental health services.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Medical Licensing Mental Health

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died · Tennessee · House Feb 2, 2026

HJR 749: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Recognizes importance of substance abuse prevention education. -

HJR 749 is a non-binding resolution recognizing Tennessee's youth substance abuse crisis, citing data from the 2022-2023 Tennessee Together Student Survey showing high rates of vaping (29.8% of students), underage alcohol use (33% of students), and prescription drug misuse. It recommends implementing a long-term, evidence-based prevention program in school curricula - from kindergarten through graduation - to teach life skills, mental health support, and healthy decision-making. The resolution does not create new laws but urges the Tennessee Department of Education to adopt this approach, emphasizing its cost-effectiveness (saving $4.60-$18.00 for every $1 spent). Introduced in January 2026, it was withdrawn in February 2026 without further legislative action.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRecommends evidence-based substance abuse prevention curriculum in K-12, enhancing student program access and life skills education per resolution language.90% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRecommends evidence-based mental health support and substance abuse prevention in school curricula, directly advancing public health initiatives under healthcare policy.85% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Mental Health Prescription Drugs Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 11, 2026

HB 2016: 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.

HB 2016 requires employers who make mental health evaluations a condition of employment to provide employees and job applicants with reasonable access to the results of those evaluations, including reports from mental health professionals. Employers must grant this access during normal business hours, and employees denied access can sue for a court order to obtain the results. If an employee wins such a lawsuit, they are entitled to recover court costs and attorney fees. The bill applies to both current employees and prospective hires, covering evaluations required for hiring or continued employment. It specifically targets employers who condition employment on submitting to mental health assessments.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProtects employee rights to access mental health evaluation results, ensuring transparency in employer-mandated mental health assessments under healthcare context.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentBill mandates employer access to mental health evaluation results for employees, protecting workers' rights and providing legal recourse for denial, directly strengthening employment standards.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health

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passed · Tennessee · Senate Feb 26, 2026

SJR 619: General Assembly, Statement of Intent or Position - Recognizes importance of substance abuse prevention education. -

SJR 619 is a non-binding resolution recognizing Tennessee's youth substance abuse crisis, citing data like 29.8% of students vaping nicotine and 13% vaping marijuana per the 2022-2023 Tennessee Together Student Survey. It recommends schools implement evidence-based prevention programs - starting in kindergarten and continuing through graduation - integrated into existing health and physical education curricula. The resolution specifically advocates for life skills training, social-emotional learning, and mental health support as part of these programs. As a statement of intent, it urges the Tennessee Department of Education to adopt these approaches but does not create new laws or allocate funding.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationBill advocates for integrating substance abuse prevention into school curricula, enhancing student programs and promoting life skills training per Tennessee survey data.85% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill advocates for evidence-based substance abuse prevention programs in schools, integrated into health curricula, strengthening public health initiatives as part of healthcare policy.95% confidence

Sub-Topics K-12 Education Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Mar 3, 2026

HB 2003: Education, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts the "School Mental Health Transparency Act"; requires the department to consult relevant agencies to compile a list of mental health resources; requires public schools to use the department's list to compile lists of mental health resources available to enrolled students and provide the lists to students' parents; requires that lists of mental health resources be published on the website of the department and each public school. - Amends TCA Title 10, Chapter 7; Title 33 and Title 49.

HB 2003, the "School Mental Health Transparency Act," requires Tennessee's Department of Education to compile and publish a statewide list of mental health resources for students, including geographic locations and availability limitations. Public schools must then use this list to create their own school-specific resource lists and share them annually with parents/guardians (starting 2026-2027) or directly with eligible students, while also posting the lists on school websites. The bill mandates no new staffing or funding, clarifies that listing resources doesn't endorse them, and requires the department to consult multiple state agencies like health and children's services when building the initial list. This directly affects all Tennessee public schools, students, and their families by standardizing access to mental health support information.

Topics ✓ EducationSupports EducationRequires schools to provide mental health resources to students/parents, enhancing access to student support services within educational context.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareRequires statewide mental health resource lists for schools, improving student access to mental health services per bill's transparency mandate.95% confidence

Sub-Topics School Safety Student Health Mental Health

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died · Tennessee · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 2020: Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, prohibits health insurance entities from downcoding reimbursement claims from healthcare professionals except in limited circumstances; makes certain other changes related to health insurance claim adjudication. - Amends TCA Title 56, Chapter 7.

SB 2020 would prevent Tennessee health insurance companies from reducing payments for healthcare services (downcoding) except in specific, limited situations, requiring them to provide the treating provider's identification and credentials when doing so. It extends the validity of prior authorizations for essential treatments like mental health care, cancer therapies, opioid medications, and preventive services, reducing the need for repeated approvals for patients. The bill also prohibits insurers from using artificial intelligence tools alone to deny care, mandating that licensed physicians must review and approve such decisions based on individual patient history. This legislation would directly affect healthcare providers, insurers, and patients in Tennessee by streamlining payment processes and ensuring medical decisions are made by qualified professionals.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurer downcoding without provider ID transparency, extends prior authorizations for mental health/cancer care, and protects healthcare professionals' reimbursement - directly improving access and provider rights.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House May 27, 2026

HB 2075: Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As enacted, enacts the "HOPE Treatment Act." - Amends TCA Title 9; Title 33; Title 53; Title 63 and Title 68.

HB 2075, the "Helping Open Pathways to Effective (HOPE) Treatment Act," proposes to establish a framework for Tennessee to conduct clinical trials of ibogaine - a Schedule I drug with potential for treating opioid use disorder, PTSD, depression, and other conditions - by amending state laws. The bill creates a process for "cohorts" (groups including drug developers, research institutions, and hospitals) to submit detailed proposals to the Department of Mental Health for FDA-approved trials, requiring specific plans for participant recruitment, safety protocols, and breakthrough therapy designation. It directly affects Tennessee's mental health department, healthcare institutions, and pharmaceutical developers seeking to advance ibogaine research. The bill does not fund trials but enables state participation in federal clinical pathways, aiming to accelerate FDA approval for ibogaine as a medical treatment.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill establishes framework for clinical trials of ibogaine (a potential treatment for opioid use disorder/PTSD) under mental health services, advancing treatment options and research in mental health/substance abuse care.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Mental Health Substance Abuse

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in committee · Tennessee · House Apr 6, 2026

HB 1470: 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.

HB 1470 prohibits developers and deployers of artificial intelligence systems from advertising or representing to the public that their AI acts as a qualified mental health professional. This directly affects AI companies and developers creating mental health-related tools. Violations would be treated as deceptive acts under Tennessee's Consumer Protection Act, subject to a $5,000 civil penalty per violation. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, and defines "artificial intelligence" as systems capable of human-like reasoning and learning.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits AI from falsely representing as mental health professionals, protecting patients from deceptive practices in mental health services.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Healthcare Workforce Mental Health Tags Artificial Intelligence

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 23, 2026

SB 1768: 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.

SB 1768 requires Tennessee's Secretary of State to place an advisory ballot question on the 2026 November general election ballot asking voters if the state should authorize a regulated medical cannabis program for qualifying patients. If approved, the program would generate tax revenue dedicated to after-school programs, mental health services, law enforcement training, and community cannabis education. The bill does not create the program itself but seeks voter approval for its implementation through a binding referendum. This would directly affect medical cannabis patients and state funding allocations, with no immediate legislative changes enacted.

Topics ✓ Budget & TaxesSupports Budget & TaxesBill designates cannabis tax revenue for public services (mental health, after-school, law enforcement), directly funding essential programs through fiscal means.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill allocates cannabis tax revenue to fund mental health services, directly supporting healthcare through dedicated funding per bill summary.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Revenue Mental Health

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signed · Tennessee · Senate May 27, 2026

SB 1493: Computers and Electronic Processing - As enacted, requires TACIR to study artificial intelligence and submit a report to the governor and both speakers by January 31, 2027. - Amends TCA Title 29; Title 33; Title 39 and Title 47.

SB 1493 creates a Class A felony offense for knowingly training AI systems that encourage suicide, criminal homicide, or develop emotional relationships with users. It specifically prohibits AI chatbots from simulating human appearance/voice, acting as a mental health professional, or prompting users to isolate from family or share sensitive information. The bill directly affects AI developers and companies creating chatbots that meet its definitions, excluding standard customer service bots, video game features, and basic voice assistants. Violators face criminal penalties and civil lawsuits allowing victims to seek $150,000 in liquidated damages or actual harm compensation.

Topics ✗ Criminal JusticeOpposes Criminal JusticeCreates Class A felony for AI training encouraging suicide/homicide, expanding criminalization of AI development per bill's explicit offense definitions.95% confidence ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill prohibits AI from encouraging suicide (mental health crisis) and acting as unlicensed mental health professionals, directly protecting patient safety and mental health services.95% confidence ✗ TechnologyOpposes TechnologyBill explicitly criminalizes AI training for harmful behaviors like encouraging suicide/homicide or simulating human relationships, directly restricting AI development capabilities.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Violent Crime Healthcare Workforce Mental Health Artificial Intelligence