HB 858 requires Tennessee's insurance commissioner to study how easily patients and doctors can request exceptions to step therapy rules online. The study will assess whether insurers' processes are accessible without unnecessary barriers for those seeking coverage for cancer treatments. The commissioner must submit findings and recommendations by December 2025. This bill affects insurers and healthcare providers who handle step therapy requests but does not change current coverage requirements. It becomes effective January 1, 2026.
HB 1181 extends Tennessee's sales and use tax exemption for broadband-related equipment and infrastructure through June 30, 2027, instead of ending in 2025. This directly affects internet service providers and businesses that purchase or lease equipment used to build or operate broadband networks. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 67-6-391 to update the exemption's end date and adjusts the section's title to "Tennessee broadband equipment and services exemption." The law, enacted as Public Chapter 449 in May 2025, provides continued tax relief for these businesses without creating new requirements.
HB 630 allows Tennessee consumers to appoint an agent (like a family member or advocate) to opt them out of companies processing their personal data. Companies must verify both the consumer’s identity and the agent’s authority before honoring these requests. The bill requires companies to provide clear opt-out links on websites and implement a standardized "preference signal" system by 2026, ensuring consumers can easily opt out of data sales or targeted advertising without default settings. It also addresses conflicts with loyalty programs and clarifies rules around financial incentives for data sharing. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
SB 677 requires Tennessee's Department of Education to provide at least one free, self-paced online professional development course about using artificial intelligence in classrooms for teachers in grades 6-12. Teachers in these grades must complete one department-approved AI training course by August 1, 2027, or within two years of receiving their teaching license, whichever is later. The course must be created by an entity with expertise in STEM fields and can be used to earn required professional development credits. This bill directly affects all public school teachers in grades 6-12 across Tennessee, mandating specific AI training as part of their professional development requirements.
SB 972 requires Tennessee school districts and public charter schools to install video surveillance in special education classrooms *only when a parent requests it and provides written consent*. The cameras must continuously monitor students, teachers, and staff during special education services in classrooms where special education accounts for at least half of the instructional time. Footage can only be viewed by parents or under privacy laws like FERPA, and schools must adopt policies governing how long recordings are kept. The law applies starting the 2025-2026 school year.
HB 139 prohibits the use of voting machines or equipment to cast, receive, or transmit election ballots over the internet, except for military personnel and citizens living abroad. The bill amends Tennessee election law (TCA Title 2, Chapters 6 and 9) to require that all voting equipment must not transmit or receive ballots via the internet. This directly affects all voters in Tennessee elections who would otherwise use internet-connected voting systems, with the exception of eligible military and overseas voters covered under existing provisions. The law aims to restrict internet-based ballot transmission through official voting equipment, maintaining traditional voting methods.
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Elections
HB 311, the "Autism Spectrum Online Protection Act," creates new protections for autistic young adults aged 18-25 who are under legal guardianship (conservatorship). It makes it a Class A misdemeanor to use online platforms to groom such individuals for sexual exploitation, sextortion, or trafficking. The bill also urges online platforms to implement policies preventing these harms and requires tools for conservators/families to monitor online activities. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.
HB 332 creates a "Government Service Delivery Coordinator" within Tennessee's Department of Finance and Administration to improve how state agencies interact with residents and businesses. It requires each agency to appoint an official responsible for enhancing service delivery - focusing on accessibility, efficiency, and customer feedback - while establishing statewide standards for evaluating services like wait times and digital access. Agencies must submit implementation plans within a year and report data to the governor and legislature annually. The bill directly affects all state agencies and the public they serve, mandating concrete changes to service delivery processes without altering program benefits.
SB 302, the "Tennessee Consumer Protection and Subscription Renewal Act," prohibits businesses from requiring credit or debit card information for free trial or gift offers tied to automatic renewals or continuous services. It mandates that businesses obtain clear, active consumer consent before charging for renewals, disclose post-trial pricing upfront, and provide easy cancellation options (including online termination). The law directly affects businesses selling subscriptions or ongoing services in Tennessee, requiring them to clearly explain renewal terms and pricing changes before billing. These changes aim to prevent surprise charges and ensure transparency for consumers who sign up for free trials.
SB 195 prohibits vehicle manufacturers, corporations, and third parties from sharing, selling, or distributing a vehicle's driving data without the explicit, written consent of the vehicle owner. It defines "driving data" broadly to include information from sensors, infotainment systems, telematics, and connected devices (like brake events, location, or vehicle health). Entities must disclose how data is collected and obtain annual written consent, with easy mechanisms for owners to revoke permission. The bill does not apply to data shared with government agencies like the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration under federal law. (Note: The bill was withdrawn on February 5, 2025, per recent actions.)
