Healthcare (Public Health)

introduced · Tennessee · House Feb 5, 2026

HB 2310: Public Health - As introduced, requires healthcare provider regulatory authorities to report quarterly to the department of health the number and type of disciplinary actions taken against a healthcare provider for knowingly performing or offering to perform on a minor, or administering or offering to administer to a minor, a prohibited medical procedure. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68, Chapter 33.

HB 2310 requires healthcare provider regulatory authorities in Tennessee to report quarterly to the Department of Health the number and type of disciplinary actions taken against providers who knowingly perform or offer prohibited medical procedures on minors. This applies specifically to disciplinary actions under existing laws governing prohibited procedures for minors, as amended in Titles 63 and 68 of Tennessee Code. The bill establishes a new reporting mechanism to increase transparency around disciplinary measures for violations involving minors' healthcare.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareBill mandates reporting of disciplinary actions for providers violating minor health procedures, increasing transparency and protecting patient rights in healthcare.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 18, 2026

SB 2544: Interstate Compacts - As enacted, enacts the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact Act." - Amends TCA Title 4 and Title 63.

SB 2544 creates the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact" to allow licensed respiratory therapists from one participating state to practice in other participating states without obtaining a new license. This directly affects respiratory therapists seeking to work across state lines, particularly military families relocating and those addressing workforce shortages in healthcare. The bill establishes standardized rules for license recognition, background checks, and disciplinary actions across member states while preserving each state's authority to protect public health. It aims to increase access to respiratory therapy services and streamline administrative processes for both therapists and states.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareEnables cross-state practice for respiratory therapists, reducing workforce barriers and improving access to healthcare services in underserved areas.95% confidence ✓ Labor & EmploymentSupports Labor & EmploymentReduces licensing barriers for respiratory therapists, enabling interstate practice and addressing healthcare workforce shortages, directly supporting employment mobility and worker opportunities.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

signed · Tennessee · House Mar 26, 2026

HJR 908: Memorials, Recognition - HPV Awareness Day, March 4, 2026 -

House Joint Resolution 908 designates March 4, 2026, as HPV Awareness Day in Tennessee to raise public awareness about human papillomavirus (HPV) and the importance of vaccination for preventing HPV-related cancers. The resolution highlights that HPV is a common virus linked to cervical and oropharyngeal cancers - which occur at higher rates in Tennessee than the national average - and notes that vaccination coverage remains below optimal levels despite being recommended for ages 9-26. As a symbolic commemorative resolution, it does not create new laws or requirements but aims to support public health efforts by drawing attention to existing prevention programs like St. Jude Children's Research Hospital's HPV Cancer Prevention Program. This resolution serves as a non-binding recognition to encourage broader discussion about HPV vaccination and cancer prevention strategies.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePromotes HPV vaccination awareness to prevent cancer, aligning with public health initiatives and preventive care efforts in Tennessee.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health

signed · Tennessee · House May 18, 2026

HB 2569: Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As enacted, lowers the age of an inpatient from 65 to 50 or older when a hospital, each year from October 1 through March 1, must offer immunization against influenza disease prior to discharge; requires a hospital to offer immunization against pneumococcal disease to an inpatient aged 50 or older prior to discharge. - Amends TCA Title 68.

HB 2569 requires Tennessee hospitals to offer specific vaccinations to inpatients aged 50 or older before discharge. During flu season (October 1-March 1), hospitals must provide influenza vaccines to all patients 50+; pneumococcal vaccines must be offered year-round to the same age group. This bill lowers the age threshold from 65 to 50 for both requirements, directly affecting patients 50+ admitted to hospitals. The policy aims to increase vaccination rates among this demographic, aligning with CDC recommendations and requiring hospitals to provide these vaccines unless medically contraindicated or vaccine is unavailable. The law takes effect July 1, 2026.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates hospitals to offer flu/pneumococcal vaccines to 50+ patients (lowering age from 65), expanding preventive care access and increasing vaccination rates per public health goals.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Hospitals Public Health

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 5, 2026

SB 2607: Autopsies - As introduced, requires a county medical examiner to report certain instances of the natural death of an infant or young person under 20 to the federal Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Death in the Young Case Registry; requires the county medical examiner to review the deceased infant's or young person's immunization and medical records; authorizes civil penalties and license sanctions for violations. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 2607 requires Tennessee county medical examiners to report sudden unexpected infant deaths (under 1 year) and sudden deaths in young people (under 20) to a federal CDC registry. Medical examiners must review the deceased child’s immunization and medical records during autopsies and document recent vaccinations. The bill imposes civil penalties of up to $5,000 for repeated failures to report cases and allows licensing boards to sanction medical examiners who repeatedly violate the requirement. It directly affects county medical examiners and healthcare providers involved in death investigations, aiming to improve data collection for public health research.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates reporting sudden infant/young deaths to CDC registry for public health surveillance, enhancing data collection to improve health outcomes and prevent future cases.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

Track

died · Tennessee · House May 1, 2026

HB 2243: Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, enacts the "Stopping Health Insurers from Excluding Legal Decisions (SHIELD) Act." - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56 and Title 71.

HB 2243, the "SHIELD Act," prohibits health insurance companies from including patients with legally recognized vaccine exemptions (based on religion or medical reasons) in vaccination-related quality metrics used to determine provider reimbursement rates. It directly affects healthcare providers who treat such patients and health insurance entities that set payment structures. The bill requires insurers to exclude exempt patients from calculations of vaccination rates and bans them from penalizing providers - through reduced payments, network removal, or withheld bonuses - for having these patients in their practice. This ensures providers aren’t financially penalized for following state law on vaccine exemptions. The law takes effect July 1, 2026, for new or renewed insurance contracts.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcarePrevents insurers from penalizing providers treating patients with vaccine exemptions, protecting patient access and rights in healthcare coverage.90% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health

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signed · Tennessee · House Apr 27, 2026

HB 1944: DNA and Genetic Testing - As enacted, directs the department of health to test for the presence of sickle cell trait in each newborn and, if the test results are positive for sickle cell trait, to notify the parent or legal guardian of the newborn tested as soon as practicable. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 5.

HB 1944 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to test every newborn for sickle cell trait starting from the bill's effective date. If a newborn tests positive, the department must notify the parent or legal guardian as soon as possible. This bill directly affects all newborns in Tennessee and their families by mandating this screening and notification process. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 68, Chapter 5 to establish this new requirement for newborn health screening. The bill is currently pending in committee review and has not yet been enacted.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates newborn sickle cell trait screening and parent notification via public health program, advancing preventive healthcare access and early intervention for at-risk infants.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

signed · Tennessee · Senate May 1, 2026

SB 2070: Insurance, Health, Accident - As enacted, enacts the "Stopping Health Insurers from Excluding Legal Decisions (SHIELD) Act." - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56 and Title 71.

SB 2070, the "SHIELD Act," prohibits health insurance companies from penalizing healthcare providers for treating patients with legally recognized vaccine exemptions (based on religious beliefs or medical contraindications). It requires insurers to exclude exempt patients from vaccination-related quality metrics, such as vaccination rate calculations, and bans insurers from dropping providers from networks or reducing payments solely because they treat such patients. The law applies to all quality measures used for reimbursement, including HEDIS, and ensures claims denied in violation of these rules are treated as "clean claims" subject to standard penalties. It takes effect July 1, 2026, affecting Tennessee healthcare providers, insurers, and patients with valid vaccine exemptions.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareProhibits insurers from penalizing providers for treating patients with legal vaccine exemptions, protecting patient access and provider rights under healthcare insurance policies.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Insurance Public Health

in committee · Tennessee · Senate Feb 2, 2026

SB 1948: Autopsies - As introduced, requires a county medical examiner to report certain instances of the natural death of an infant or young person under 20 to the federal Sudden Unexpected Infant Death and Sudden Death in the Young Case Registry; requires the county medical examiner to review the deceased infant's or young person's immunization and medical records; authorizes civil penalties and license sanctions for violations. - Amends TCA Title 38; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 1948 requires Tennessee county medical examiners to report sudden unexpected deaths of infants (under 1 year) and young people (under 20) to a federal health registry. It mandates that examiners review and document the deceased’s immunization records and medical history, including immunizations given within 90 days before death. Violations carry civil penalties of up to $1,000 for the first offense and $5,000 for repeated offenses, with potential license suspension for medical examiners. The bill aims to standardize data collection for public health research on sudden deaths in children and young adults.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareMandates public health data collection for infant/young death review, enhancing surveillance systems to inform prevention efforts and improve health outcomes.85% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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in committee · Tennessee · Senate Mar 4, 2026

SB 1969: Health Care - As introduced, creates the state uterine fibroids commission. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 63 and Title 68.

SB 1969 creates a 11-member state uterine fibroids commission to address health concerns related to uterine fibroids, polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), and endometriosis. The commission, appointed by the governor (including patient members and healthcare representatives) and legislative leaders, will advise state agencies on prevention, treatment, and care policies. Key provisions include researching state regulations, holding annual public hearings, and submitting annual reports to the legislature by December 31. The commission directly affects women diagnosed with these conditions, state health departments, and healthcare providers through its advisory role. It does not change funding or direct medical care but aims to improve policy coordination and public health monitoring.

Topics ✓ HealthcareSupports HealthcareCreates commission to research and advise on prevention/treatment for uterine fibroids, PCOS, and endometriosis, advancing policy development for specific health conditions.95% confidence

Sub-Topics Public Health

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