Tennessee Bills

Consumer Protection - As introduced, prohibits sending by mail a fake check or an image of a fake check, for the purpose of advertising. - Amends TCA Title 45 and Title 47.

Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies - As introduced, imposes requirements for health insurance issuers using artificial intelligence, algorithms, or other software for utilization review or utilization management functions. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 27; Title 56 and Title 71.

State Symbols - As introduced, designates Nashville as the hot chicken capital of this state. - Amends TCA Title 4.

Children - As introduced, specifies that "neglect" does not include permitting a child, whose basic needs are met and who is of sufficient age and maturity to avoid harm or unreasonable risk of harm, to engage in independent activities, including traveling to and from school by walking, running, or bicycling; traveling to and from commercial or recreational facilities; playing outdoors; remaining at home unattended for a reasonable period of time; and other similar independent activity. - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 37 and Title 39.

TennCare - As introduced, increases from 60 to 75 days the period after the close of each fiscal year within which the department of finance and administration must submit a report to the governor and members of the general assembly that includes an account of the operations and expenditures of all funds under the Medical Assistance Act of 1968, statistics by county about all medical assistance within the state, rules promulgated to carry out the Act, and other information the department deems advisable. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 56 and Title 71.

Insurance, Health, Accident - As introduced, requires health insurance carriers to provide mental health coverage in parity with alcoholism and drug dependence coverage. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

Energy - As introduced, enacts the "Clean Energy and Jobs Act"; creates the Clean Energy Workforce Training Grant Fund; establishes a tax credit for certain systems, methods, improvements, structures, devices, or appliances used by renewable energy businesses, and small businesses to implement or improve the business's sustainable practices. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 5 and Title 67.

Drugs, Prescription - As introduced, deletes an obsolete provision that required the comptroller of the treasury, in conjunction with any appropriate TennCare drug utilization review committees, to study the use of prescription drugs in nursing homes and the costs of those prescription drugs for residents of nursing homes; to examine prescription use overall; to focus on any practices that would improve the quality of resident care while reducing costs to the TennCare program; and to report by January 1, 2005, to the speaker of the senate and the speaker of the house of representatives. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 33 and Title 71.

State Government - As introduced, prohibits a nongovernmental or intergovernmental entity in this state from infringing upon or restricting private property rights without due process or an individual's constitutional rights by virtue of pursuing a policy recommendation originating from or traceable to the United Nations, a subsidiary entity thereof, or an international policymaking organization; makes it an offense for the state or an official or political subdivision in this state to infringe upon or restrict private property rights without due process or an individual's constitutional rights in pursuing United Nations or international policymaking organizational policy. - Amends TCA Section 4-1-422.

Sports - As introduced, changes from January 1 to March 1, the date by which each local education agency and public charter school is required to submit documentation to the department of education evidencing its compliance with the requirement to notify an association that regulates interscholastic athletics at the school in which the student is enrolled of a student's placement in foster care; removes the requirement that the department annually submit a report of this information to the education committees of the senate and house of representatives. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 48 and Title 49.

State Government - As introduced, requires each state department and agency to post to the department's or agency's website the report provided annually to the general assembly that describes the department's or agency's progress in achieving economic efficiency. - Amends TCA Title 4.

Expunction - As introduced, reduces from 15 years to 10 years the amount of time that must have elapsed since the completion of the sentence imposed for illegal registration or voting before filing a petition for expunction. - Amends TCA Title 2, Chapter 19 and Title 40, Chapter 32.

Agriculture, Dept. of - As introduced, authorizes the commissioner to designate an existing organizational unit of the department as the office of rural prosperity and consolidate within that office some or all of the department's duties related to improving the well-being of rural communities in this state. - Amends TCA Section 1-3-105; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 9; Title 13; Title 43; Title 44; Title 48; Title 49; Title 50; Title 61; Title 64; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 69.

Employees, Employers - As introduced, enacts the "Workers' Right to Live Act." - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 29 and Title 50.

Local Education Agencies - As introduced, requires directors of schools and directors of public charter schools to immediately notify all students, parents, educators, employees, and contractors of the local education agency or public charter school of the presence of an immigration officer on school grounds. - Amends Chapter __ of the Public Acts of 2025 (1st Ex. Sess. – SB 6002 / HB 6001); and TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8 and Title 49.

Probation and Parole - As introduced, enacts the "Parole Relief and Opportunity Act"; expands the definition of hardship for purposes of determining the ability of a parolee to contribute to the cost of the person's supervision and release. - Amends TCA Title 40 and Title 41.

Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, adds the availability of services relating to housing as an issue that must be addressed in the orientation that the department is required to conduct before an inmate is released from confinement. - Amends TCA Title 39 and Title 40.

Criminal Procedure - As introduced, enacts the "Bearing Witness to the Death Penalty Act." - Amends TCA Title 40, Chapter 23.

Scholarships and Financial Aid - As introduced, enacts the "Speak UP, Tennessee Scholarship Act"; requires the Tennessee student assistance corporation to establish by rules a program that provides scholarships for students in grade 12 and at public institutions of higher education in this state who demonstrate artistic excellence in spoken word poetry through a competitive, performance-based selection process to pursue higher education to further develop their literary and performance skills. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4 and Title 49, Chapter 7.

Election Laws - As introduced, establishes automatic restoration of voting rights for people who complete their sentence, including any parole or probationary period. - Amends TCA Title 2; Title 40 and Title 41.

Lobbying, Lobbyists - As introduced, requires each lobbyist to include and maintain in the lobbyist's registration statement filed with the Tennessee ethics commission the identification of each bill and legislative measure for which the lobbyist is receiving compensation to oppose or support. - Amends TCA Title 3, Chapter 6.

Environmental Preservation - As introduced, creates a grant program to facilitate green spaces in urban areas; authorizes the technical secretary of the air pollution control board to establish a program to encourage community-led programs that reduce air pollution. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3, Part 5; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 11; Title 43, Chapter 24 and Title 68, Chapter 201.

Veterans Services, Dept. of - As introduced, allocates 1 percent of the revenue from sports gaming in this state to the department to be used to support veterans services in this state. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 49; Title 58; Title 68 and Title 71.

Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, adds legislative librarian to the list the department of mental health and substance abuse services must submit its quarterly report to on the implementation and impact of available suitable accommodations, including the number and length of any delayed admissions, in state-owned or -operated hospitals or treatment resources. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 16; Title 17; Title 18; Title 20; Title 21; Title 24; Title 29; Title 30; Title 32; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

County Government - As introduced, authorizes a county to forgo the automatic compensation increase for county officers if the department of economic and community development determines that the county experienced substantial characteristics of economic distress in the preceding fiscal year. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 24.

Hospitals and Health Care Facilities - As introduced, authorizes an assisted-care living facility to comply with any requirement to post information in the facility by making such information available on an electronic screen clearly visible to residents and the public subject to approval by the board for licensing health care facilities. - Amends TCA Title 63 and Title 68.

Health Care - As introduced, removes an obsolete provision that required, on or before January 15, 2018, the commissioner of health, in consultation with the perinatal advisory committee and with the assistance of relevant state agencies, to report to legislative committees with jurisdiction over health care concerning aspects of births involving neonatal abstinence syndrome and opioid use by women of childbearing age. - Amends TCA Title 14; Title 33; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68.

Abortion - As introduced, deletes the offense of criminal abortion; allows for an abortion before viability of the fetus or when necessary to protect the life or health of the pregnant woman. - Amends TCA Title 39; Title 63 and Title 68.

Lottery, Scholarships and Programs - As introduced, expands eligibility for a helping heroes grant to include veterans who have received any medal authorized by congress for the armed forces of the United States that is awarded for combat or heroism; allows eligible veterans to receive a helping heroes grant in pursuit of a certificate at an eligible postsecondary institution. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 4.

Law Enforcement - As introduced, requires a law enforcement agency that uses body cameras to adopt a written policy for the use of the cameras by its law enforcement officers; establishes certain requirements for the policies. - Amends TCA Title 38, Chapter 1.

Taxes, Real Property - As introduced, revises the property tax relief program for elderly, low-income homeowners to provide tiered property tax reimbursements based on the taxpayer's age. - Amends TCA Title 67, Chapter 5, Part 7.

Pensions and Retirement Benefits - As introduced, requires a member of TCRS to provide a copy of any final workers' compensation settlement or judgment to the retirement system no later than 45 days, rather than 30 days, after the settlement or judgment becomes final. - Amends TCA Title 7; Title 8; Title 35; Title 49; Title 50; Title 56; Title 66 and Title 71.

Charitable Solicitations - As introduced, exempts a child care agency from the registration requirements for charitable organizations. - Amends TCA Title 48, Chapter 101.

Taxes - As introduced, changes from March 31 to March 1, the date by which the department of transportation must transmit to the governor and speakers of both houses its annual report listing the litter prevention programs receiving funds from the 0.4 percent increase in the gross receipts tax on bottled soft drinks, the amount of funds received by the programs, and the purpose for which the funds were spent. - Amends TCA Title 67.

Election Laws - As introduced, requires county election commissions to include on the ballot for the November 2026 election a non-binding question related to the legalization of the sale, possession, and use of medical marijuana; requires the secretary of state to compile the results of the public policy opinion poll and forward the results to the members of the general assembly. - Amends TCA Title 2.

General Assembly - As introduced, entitles a member of the general assembly to expense and mileage allowances for a Saturday or Sunday during a regular or special session if the member is arriving on such day to attend, or in anticipation of attending, a meeting germane to the business of the general assembly for the regular or special session. - Amends TCA Title 3, Chapter 1.

Pensions and Retirement Benefits - As introduced, allows a retirement allowance increase equal to the percentage increase in the consumer price index if there is an over-collection of state tax revenue; requires this allowance increase to be used instead of the allowance increase in present law, which cannot exceed 3 percent. - Amends TCA Section 8-36-701.

Safety, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the department to provide a person with a free photo identification license at each location where the department issues a driver license or photo identification license if the person signs an affidavit stating that the person does not have a valid government issued photo identification. - Amends TCA Title 5; Title 8 and Title 55, Chapter 50, Part 3.

Orders of Protection - As introduced, allows a court to issue an emergency protection order upon a finding that a person poses an imminent risk of harm to the person or others if allowed to purchase or possess a firearm; authorizes a family member, household member, intimate partner, or law enforcement officer to petition for such an order. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 39.

Local Education Agencies - As introduced, makes various changes to the categories of individuals who are not required to use a preferred pronoun, and for whom a preferred pronoun be disregarded, if the pronoun is inconsistent with the person's biological sex; makes various changes to the civil liability and adverse action protections as it relates to the use of, or the refusal to use, a pronoun or preferred pronoun. - Amends TCA Title 49.

Consumer Protection - As introduced, requires a company offering to sell or install a solar energy system to provide written proof that the utility serving the area where the system is to be installed has a net metering program or otherwise offers net metering credits to an owner or user of a system before the company enters into an agreement to sell or install the system; designates a violation as an unfair or deceptive act or practice pursuant to the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 6; Title 7; Title 9; Title 13; Title 47; Title 65 and Title 66.

Schools, Charter - As introduced, deletes antiquated language regarding the state board of education being an authorizer for public charter schools which expired at 11:59 p.m. on June 30, 2021. - Amends Chapter __ of the Public Acts of 2025 (1st Ex. Sess. – SB 6001 / HB 6004); and TCA Title 8 and Title 49.

Children - As introduced, deletes obsolete language regarding initial reports submitted by zero to three court programs and safe baby courts to the department of children's services, the department of mental health and substance abuse services, the administrative office of the courts, and the council of juvenile and family court judges. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 37.

Attorneys at Law - As introduced, specifies that an attorney who, while acting in the capacity of counsel for a client or an identifiable prospective client, engages in conduct that constitutes the offense of perjury, aggravated perjury, subornation of perjury, tampering with or fabricating evidence, destruction or tampering with governmental records, or coercion or persuasion of a witness is not immune from prosecution. - Amends TCA Title 23, Chapter 3; Title 27 and Title 39.

Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, enacts "The Parole Advancement and Reintegration Act," which requires the department to develop an early parole termination program for parolees meeting certain requirements. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 40 and Title 41.

Criminal Offenses - As introduced, increases from $50 to $500 the maximum fine for selling a vapor product to a person who has not attained 21 years of age. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17.

Correction, Dept. of - As introduced, prohibits the department from denying the dissemination or availability of books and materials donated by book vendors to state inmates, with certain exceptions for depictions of nudity and sexually explicit material. - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 3; Title 40 and Title 41.

County Government - As introduced, authorizes certain counties to, by the adoption of a resolution by a two-thirds vote of the county legislative body, impose a moratorium on the development of property, including property within the boundaries of a municipality, for apartment complexes. - Amends TCA Title 5.

Firearms and Ammunition - As introduced, enacts the "Suicide Prevention Act of 2025," requiring the Tennessee bureau of investigation to establish a program in which a person may enroll to voluntarily waive the right to purchase firearms. - Amends TCA Title 39, Chapter 17, Part 13.

Education, Curriculum - As introduced, requires each local education agency (LEA) to publish the character education curriculum on the LEA's website. - Amends TCA Title 49.

Education, State Board of - As introduced, requires the state board to publish the curriculum implemented for the statewide drug abuse resistance education (DARE) program on the state board's website. - Amends TCA Title 49.

Employees, Employers - As introduced, deletes obsolete language referring to the date by which a private employer was required to be in compliance with the Tennessee Lawful Employment Act to receive an economic development incentive. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8 and Title 50.

Education - As introduced, requires LEAs to screen all students for dyslexia and use the Orton-Gillingham method to teach students who exhibit characteristics of dyslexia; adds training in the Orton-Gillingham method to in-service training subjects for educators. - Amends TCA Title 49.

Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies - As introduced, requires an insurance company that increases its premiums to give 45 days' notice rather than 30 days' notice of the increase to a customer who has an account paid by bank draft or preauthorized check. - Amends TCA Title 56.

Civil Procedure - As introduced, specifies that an unauthorized alien does not have standing to commence or appear as a plaintiff in any civil action in this state. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 8; Title 16; Title 20; Title 28 and Title 29.

Parks, Natural Areas Preservation - As introduced, designates the new swimming pool at Henry Horton State Park as the "Riley Gaines Aquatic Center." -

Driver Licenses - As introduced, requires that all driver licenses and photo identification licenses be manufactured and printed in this state; requires the department of safety to review and determine the cost-effectiveness of having such licenses manufactured and printed by the department or another state department or agency or through a contract with a private vendor; requires that licenses be manufactured and printed in this state using the most cost-effective means. - Amends TCA Title 12 and Title 55, Chapter 50.

Education - As introduced, removes obsolete provision that required the department of education to submit a report on exclusionary discipline practices regarding students in pre-kindergarten through kindergarten to legislative committees with subject matter jurisdiction on education no later than May 1, 2018. - Amends TCA Title 49.

Local Education Agencies - As introduced, requires district-wide school safety plans, building-level school safety plans, and the template for such plans to include a process for notifying parents and legal guardians of certain emergencies, incidents of violence, and credible threats of violence made against, or occurring on the grounds of, the LEA or school; requires directors of schools and directors of public charter schools to notify parents and legal guardians of same when reported to the LEA or school by its threat assessment team. - Amends TCA Title 49, Chapter 1 and Title 49, Chapter 6.

Insurance Companies, Agents, Brokers, Policies - As introduced, removes an obsolete reference to January 1, 2010, as the date by which group health plans and health insurance issuers were required to begin providing electronic health insurance claims data for state residents to the commissioner of commerce and insurance or a designated entity authorized by the commissioner each month. - Amends TCA Title 8; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.