Rep. Doc Kumar

Maddy summaryHB 1197 modifies Tennessee's education code to allow public school districts and public charter schools to offer nonsectarian, nonreligious Bible courses as academic electives. It requires local school boards or charter school governing bodies to approve these courses and mandates schools to post approved curricula and standards online. The bill also directs the state education department to maintain a public list of schools offering such courses and notify districts annually about their eligibility to provide state-funded Bible courses. These changes apply starting with the 2025-2026 school year.

Maddy summaryHB 1203 allows Tennessee healthcare licensing boards to issue licenses with conditions requiring applicants to participate in a board-approved peer assistance program. This applies to healthcare providers whose medical conditions might affect their ability to practice competently, but the "private advocacy order" itself is not considered a license restriction. The order is confidential and not a public record, unless the provider fails to maintain participation, triggering disciplinary action. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated Title 63 to establish this process for conditional licensing.

Maddy summaryHB 1198 requires Tennessee health insurers and TennCare to allow patients to try biosimilar drugs (cost-effective copies of brand-name medications) before covering the original branded drug. It amends state law to permit health carriers to mandate a biosimilar trial for equivalent branded prescriptions, removing prior requirements for generic drug trials. The bill also directs TennCare’s pharmacy committee to consider biosimilar drugs when recommending medications for the state’s preferred drug list. These changes aim to reduce prescription drug costs by increasing biosimilar adoption, as stated in the bill’s legislative findings.

Maddy summaryHJR 483 is a non-binding resolution commending Hannah Ramos for her exemplary service as a legislative intern during Tennessee's 2025 legislative session. It recognizes her work supporting Representatives Sabi Kumar, Michael Hale, and Esther Helton-Haynes, alongside her academic achievements as a political science major at Austin Peay State University. The resolution highlights her dedication, academic success, and future plans to attend Vanderbilt University Law School. As a commemorative resolution, it does not create legal obligations or affect policy.

Maddy summaryHB 1201 creates a temporary "foreign training license" for internationally licensed physicians in Tennessee who meet specific criteria. It directly affects physicians trained outside the U.S. but holding valid licenses in their home countries, requiring them to provide proof of an AMA-approved medical education, an ECFMG certificate, three years of postgraduate training (or seven years of practice), and current good standing in their home licensing country. The license is tied to a specific Tennessee healthcare employer, requiring applicants to have a job offer from that provider and restricting practice to that employer unless the board is notified of a change. After two years of active practice in Tennessee under this license, physicians may qualify for a full, unrestricted medical license. The bill takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summaryHB 1206 amends Tennessee law (Title 63 and Title 68) to extend the timeframe for physicians in non-compete agreements. Specifically, it increases the period from 10 to 30 business days during which a physician can remove practice restrictions by tendering the amount paid for their practice sale if the employer and physician cannot agree on the practice's fair market value. This change directly affects physicians employed by healthcare entities in Tennessee who have non-compete agreements. The bill modifies Section 63-6-204(f)(2)(A)(iv) to provide physicians more time to resolve valuation disputes without being restricted from practicing.

Maddy summaryHJR 297 is a ceremonial resolution honoring Marjorie Ann "Marjie" Mahar, a White House, Tennessee, community leader. It recognizes her decades of service, including her family's military history (noting her brother's sacrifice as a Korean War POW), her role as a Daughters of the American Revolution chaplain, and her efforts to honor veterans. The resolution has no binding effect or policy changes - it simply expresses the General Assembly's appreciation for her contributions. As a procedural resolution, it was formally adopted by both chambers and signed by the Governor.

Maddy summaryHB 1202 requires Tennessee law enforcement agencies and officials to communicate an individual's immigration status to federal authorities **only when that person has been arrested for a criminal offense**. It exempts school resource officers regarding students and individuals contacting police as victims or witnesses of crime. The bill imposes a civil penalty of up to $1,000 on agencies that fail to comply, enforceable by the attorney general and reporter. This law directly affects all local law enforcement agencies in Tennessee and modifies multiple sections of Tennessee Code Annotated.

Maddy summaryHJR 251 is a ceremonial resolution recognizing Marjorie Ann Bowser "Marjie" Mahar for her community service and family military legacy. It does not create new laws or affect any individuals' rights; it is purely a symbolic honor. The resolution highlights Mrs. Mahar's background as a nurse, her service with the Daughters of the American Revolution, her family's military history (including her brother who died as a POW in Korea), and her efforts to honor veterans. It was passed by both legislative chambers and signed by the Governor as a formal tribute.

Maddy summaryHB 1207, the "Suicide Prevention Act of 2025," creates a voluntary program allowing Tennessee residents to temporarily waive their right to purchase firearms through the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI). It directly affects individuals voluntarily admitted to mental health treatment facilities or those concerned about their mental health, who can submit a request form to waive firearm rights. Key provisions include requiring a TBI-created form detailing firearm ownership, designating "guardian angels" for notification upon revocation, and automatically revoking handgun permits upon enrollment. Enrollment can be revoked after 14 days by submitting a form, triggering TBI to remove the individual from firearm background checks. The program aims to prevent firearm access during mental health crises without imposing mandatory requirements.