Religious freedom safeguards for health care workers advances The House Health Subcommittee this week advanced legislation to protect physicians from providing procedures or services that go against their beliefs. The Medical Ethics Defense Act, sponsored by State Rep. Bryan Terry, R-Murfreesboro, ensures health care providers cannot be required to participate in procedures that conflict with […]
Religious freedom safeguards for health care workers advances
The House Health Subcommittee this week advanced legislation to protect physicians from providing procedures or services that go against their beliefs.
The Medical Ethics Defense Act, sponsored by State Rep. Bryan Terry, R-Murfreesboro, ensures health care providers cannot be required to participate in procedures that conflict with their ethical, moral or religious beliefs, while still maintaining their duty to provide care that aligns with their conscience.
“One key issue is (with) the Hippocratic Oath to ‘do no harm,’ yet providers may face pressure to perform procedures that conflict with this duty, leading to ‘moral injury,’” Terry said. “When delaying surgery is necessary for patient safety, providers should not have to choose between their ethics and job security.”
House Bill 1044 also aims to address the growing physician shortage across the nation.
There will be a shortage of up to 124,000 physicians by 2034, largely due to burnout, according to a report by the American Medical Association.
Tennessee would join several states that have similar medical conscience protection laws. The Medical Ethics Defense Act is scheduled to be heard in the House Health Committee on March 18.
Republicans crack down on drunk driving accidents
A Republican proposal to enhance the penalty for aggravated vehicular homicide and assault in Tennessee advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee this week.
House Bill 190, sponsored by State Rep. Ron Gant, R-Piperton, will lower the minimum alcohol concentration (BAC) in a person’s blood to be considered aggravated vehicular homicide or assault from 0.20 percent to 0.15 percent.
“Driving under the influence is a serious offense and our laws should accurately reflect the severity of the crime,” Gant said. “Far too many people are killed and injured each year at the hands of someone drunk behind the wheel, a heartbreaking reality that we must work to change. This legislation is a common-sense way to improve road and public safety in the Volunteer State by holding drunk drivers accountable for selfishly and dangerously putting Tennessee families in harm’s way.”
Aggravated vehicular homicide is a Class A felony where offenders face up to 60 years in prison. Currently, a person must have a 0.20 percent BAC or more when they kill another person while driving in addition to having a prior conviction for driving under the influence (DUI), boating under the influence (BUI) or vehicular assault.
Aggravated vehicular assault constitutes a Class C felony in Tennessee, which has a penalty of up to 15 years in prison. Someone who causes serious bodily injury to another person while driving with a BAC of at least 0.20 percent faces a charge of aggravated vehicular assault. They must also have a prior conviction for DUI or BUI.
One in three fatal crashes in Tennessee involve a person driving under the influence of drugs or alcohol, costing the lives of 441 people in 2023.
A recent Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission report required by legislation Gant passed in 2024 reveals that alcohol-related vehicular crash deaths increased by 36 percent between 2019 and 2023 in Tennessee, while injury crashes increased by 12 percent.
House Bill 190 advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee this week and is scheduled to be heard for consideration in the House Judiciary Committee on March 19.
Bill allows local boards to regulate hemp sales
A proposal allowing local governments to regulate retailers of hemp-derived cannabinoid products (HDCPs) is advancing in the House.
House Bill 962, sponsored by State Rep. David Hawk, R-Greeneville, would allow local governments to create boards to issue permits to retailers, ensuring compliance with state laws and enabling local enforcement of regulations.
“This legislation empowers local governments to regulate the sale of hemp products in their communities, protecting consumers while allowing businesses to operate responsibly,” Hawk said.
The law sets a $250 annual permit fee per retail location with required yearly renewals and allows local law enforcement to enforce regulations, including random inspections during business hours.
Retailers who fail to obtain permits or violate regulations may face penalties such as a $1,000 civil fine per violation, permit revocation or ineligibility for permit renewal for up to one year. Collected fees and penalties will be deposited into local general funds to support enforcement.
House Bill 962 will be heard in the House Commerce Committee on March 19.
Savanna’s Law creates registry of domestic abusers
A bill tocreate a registry within the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for individuals convicted of second and subsequent domestic violence offenses advanced in the House of Representatives this week.
The registry would provide public access to offender information including their name, birthdate, conviction date and photograph while protecting sensitive details like addresses or Social Security numbers.
Sponsored by State Rep. Sabi “Doc” Kumar, R-Springfield, Savanna’s Law is named in honor of Robertson County Deputy Sheriff Savanna Puckett, who was murdered by someone she was previously in a relationship with on Jan. 23, 2022. James Jackson Conn pleaded guilty to first-degree premeditated murder and is serving a life sentence. Investigators later discovered Conn had prior offenses for domestic assault.
“Savanna’s Law provides a critical step toward protecting future victims and holding repeat domestic violence offenders accountable,” said Kumar. “The registry will give communities the tools they need to stay informed and safe.”
House Bill 1200 requires courts to order offenders convicted of a second and subsequent domestic violence offense to register with the TBI. The court clerk must send a certified copy of the conviction to the bureau within seven days. The law includes a $150 registration fee, with $50 retained by the court clerk for administrative costs and $100 directed to the TBI to maintain the registry. House Bill 1200 will be heard for consideration in the House Judiciary Committee on March 19.
House passes bill promoting merit-based hiring practices
A Republican bill that promotes fair hiring practices in Tennessee passed in the House of Representatives this week.
House Bill 1237, sponsored by House Deputy Speaker Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, prohibits excluding people from state regulatory and health-related boards based on immutable characteristics like race, color, ethnicity and national origin.
“The very genesis of this bill is to ensure that merit is the qualification – the best possible people to serve on these boards,” Zachary said on the House floor.
If passed, state boards could not establish or operate under race-based policies relating to membership, ensuring Tennessee is complying with the 2023 United States Supreme Court decision in Students for Fair Admissions Inc. v. President and Fellows of Harvard College. The bill establishes a private cause of action against boards for violating the provisions of this legislation.
The companion version of House Bill 1237 is still making its way through the Senate.
Birth control, fertility treatment access advances
The House Population Health Subcommittee this week unanimously advanced legislation to protect Tennesseans’ right to access contraceptives and fertility treatment.
The Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act, sponsored by State Rep. Iris Rudder, R-Winchester, secures the right to birth control, including emergency contraceptives, and protects access to fertility treatments like in vitro fertilization (IVF).
“Every woman should have the right to access contraceptives and explore other options if she cannot conceive naturally,” Rudder said. “This bill also protects health care providers who offer fertility treatments and prescribe contraceptives.”
House Bill 533 defines contraception and fertility treatment in state code and ensures no law can prohibit the use or provision of fertility treatments or contraceptives in Tennessee.
Tennessee ranks among the most pro-life states in the nation, and Republicans continue to protect life and encourage strong families.
The Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act is scheduled to be heard in the House Health Committee on March 18.
Bill seeks to individualize TennCare medical necessity
Legislation that will personalize TennCare’s medical necessity determinations moved through the House of Representatives this week.
Emma’s Bill, sponsored by State Rep. Rebecca Alexander, R-Jonesborough, requires TennCare to consider the patient’s overall condition when determining funding and medical services, even if it does not result in the least costly course of diagnosis or treatment.
“These are our most vulnerable people, and they need every bit of care that we can possibly give them,” Alexander said. “We’re not asking (TennCare) for much, just look at what the patient needs. That’s what we’re here for.”
House Bill 364 was inspired by a young constituent who, after experiencing a spontaneous series of seizures, was left paralyzed, non-verbal, unable to eat independently and reliant on a ventilator at night. Emma’s TennCare funding was reduced in 2023 because she no longer used the ventilator for 12 hours a night, leading to the loss of her overnight nursing care despite needing 24-hour care due to her tracheostomy and regular turning every two hours.
House Bill 364 will require TennCare to review a patient’s mobility, cognitive awareness, need for nursing supervision, and requirement for life-sustaining equipment, like a ventilator, when determining medical necessity, regardless of usage hours.
Emma’s Bill passed unanimously in both the House TennCare Subcommittee and House Insurance Committee. The bill has been placed behind the budget to be considered at a later date.
Blaze pink may become official hunter safety color in TN
Members of the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Subcommittee on Wednesday wore pink ties, scarves, and pocket squares in bipartisan support of a proposal to enhance hunter safety. Sponsored by State Rep. Michele Carringer, R-Knoxville, House Bill 646 would allow hunters to wear daylight fluorescent pink, or “blaze pink,” as a substitute for the traditional fluorescent orange when hunting big game. The change would align Tennessee’s hunter safety standards with 12 other states.
“Blaze pink can be much easier to see, making it a safer option for hunters to enjoy the outdoors safely,” Carringer said. “As a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and lover of the outdoors, I’m proud to carry legislation that encourages more women to hunt and provides more safety options for all.”
House Bill 646 is part of a larger effort by the Tennessee Wildlife Resource Agency (TWRA) to encourage more girls and women to hunt and enjoy the outdoors. The agency has since 1991 hosted its Becoming an Outdoor Women (BOW) workshop, an annual female-only event that teaches outdoor skills like archery, muzzleloading, fly-fishing and basic firearm skills. The companion version of the bill passed in the Senate chamber on Monday. House Bill 646 will be heard in the House Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee on March 18. If it becomes law, it would go into effect July 1.
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Commercial squatters: The House of Representatives this week approved legislation to protect owners of commercial property in Tennessee from lengthy eviction processes for illegal squatters. House Bill 216, sponsored by State Rep. Tim Rudd, R-Murfreesboro, will allow for the immediate removal of squatters on commercial property if certain conditions are met, building on a previous law Rudd passed creating an expedited eviction process for lawful Tennessee homeowners. The companion version of House Bill 216 is still making its way through the Senate.
Honoring John J. Deberry Jr. House Bill 346, sponsored by State Rep. Gino Bulso, R-Brentwood, officially designates the desk of House chamber seat number 60 as the “Legislative Desk of Representative John J. Deberry, Jr.” Deberry, of Memphis, represented the 90th House District of the Tennessee House of Representatives from 1995 until 2020. House Bill 346 directs the chief clerk of the House of Representatives to design and install a commemorative plaque on the desk. The House Finance, Ways and Means Subcommittee is expected to consider the bill on March 19.
SNAP benefits: A Republican proposal that seeks topromote healthy living in Tennessee passed in the House of Representatives this week. The Tennessee Healthy SNAP Act, sponsored by House Deputy Speaker Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville, requires the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS) to request a waiver from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) to allow the Volunteer State to prohibit the use of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits on candy and soft drinks. House Bill 1236 instructs the department to have a plan to ensure existing point-of-sale systems can properly enforce the prohibition. The bill will also provide education and outreach opportunities on alternative healthy food options for SNAP recipients. If the USDA approves the waiver, the DHS will have one year to implement the new program. House Bill 1236 is still advancing through the Senate.
Mental health evaluations: Legislation to improve public safety and mental health in Tennessee advanced out of the House Criminal Justice Subcommittee this week. House Bill 1089, filed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and guided in the House by State Rep. Tim Hicks, R-Gray, requires a court to order mental health evaluations for people convicted of certain crimes, including child abuse and animal cruelty. The legislation seeks to decrease the number of repeat offenders while enhancing opportunities for rehabilitation. House Bill 1089 is scheduled to be heard in the House Judiciary Committee on March 19.
Fair taxation: The House on Thursday passed a resolution urging the United States Congress to eliminate federal income tax system in favor of a national consumption tax. House Joint Resolution 17, sponsored by State Rep. Jake McCalmon, R-Franklin, urges Congress to pass the Fair Tax Act of 2023, which would eliminate the personal income tax, alternative minimum tax, inheritance tax, capital gains tax, corporate income tax, self-employment tax, gift tax and payroll tax in favor of a single national retail sales tax. Voters in the Volunteer State in 2014 approved a constitutional amendment to prohibit Tennessee from ever imposing a state income tax. Tennessee is among the lowest-taxed states in the nation and holds the highest bond rating issued by all three of the nation’s credit agencies. House Joint Resolution 17 now heads to the Senate to be considered.
Public safety: House Bill 1177, sponsored by State Rep. Ryan Williams, R-Cookeville, builds on Jillian’s Law, which the General Assembly unanimously approved in 2024 requiring criminal defendants deemed incompetent to stand trial to be committed to an appropriate treatment facility. This legislation seeks to increase the time in which a misdemeanor charge will be retired for someone found incompetent to stand trial from 11 months and 29 days to two years after the date of arrest. House Bill 1177 clarifies that people cannot walk out of court-ordered treatment after charges are retired, allowing them to get the care they need. It also ensures that a person will go through the judicial process if they are found competent to stand trial within two years of arrest and charges have not been retired. Finally, the bill requires a court to be notified and sent an outpatient treatment plan to account for community safety when a person is released. House Bill 1177 is scheduled to be heard for consideration in the House Judiciary Committee on March 19.
School safety: A proposal to ensure parents are aware of threats to their children’s schools advanced in the House of Representatives this week. House Bill 1088, filed by House Speaker Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and guided in the House by State Rep. Rick Scarbrough, R-Oak Ridge, will require local education agencies to report to parents a credible threat directed toward a school their children attend within 24 hours of notifying law enforcement. The bill is scheduled to be heard for consideration in the House Education Committee on March 18.
Ensuring public comment: The House of Representatives approved legislation this week aimed at encouraging Tennesseans to get involved in the legislative process. House Bill 22, sponsored by State Rep. Elaine Davis, R-Knoxville, requires governing bodies to reserve time for people to comment at each public meeting on agenda items and any matter within their jurisdiction. The bill ensures citizens have dedicated time to speak with public officials elected to represent them. The companion version of House Bill 22 is still advancing in the Senate.
Kleefstra syndrome: Legislation allowing TennCare to recognize Kleefstra syndrome unanimously passed in the House of Representatives this week. House Bill 502, sponsored by State Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, authorizes TennCare to provide coverage and benefits, including genetic testing and treatment, for patients with Kleefstra syndrome similar to how it covers disorders like autism and Down syndrome. Kleefstra syndrome is a rare genetic disorder impacting less than 1,000 people across the United States. It is caused by a mutation or deletion in the EHMT1 gene on chromosome 9, impacting multiple organs, including the face, brain and heart. Insurance companies often misclassify Kleefstra syndrome as Down syndrome or autism due to similarities and its rarity. The companion version of House Bill 502 is still advancing through the Senate.
World Health Organization: The General Assembly approved the removal of all references to the World Health Organization (WHO) from state law this week. House Bill 1226, sponsored by State Rep. Justin Lafferty, R-Knoxville, also clarifies that the governor’s authority to issue executive orders related to pandemics must be declared by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Additionally, the bill applies this requirement to infectious diseases that qualify for presumptive disability for emergency workers who contract them in the line of duty. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Maternal remote patient monitoring: The House TennCare Subcommittee unanimously advanced legislation to expand access to critical maternal health care across the state. House Bill 867, sponsored by State Rep. Tim Hicks, R-Gray, establishes a three-year pilot program through TennCare for remote patient monitoring (RPM) for pregnant and postpartum women diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes. These conditions must be monitored daily, and this program would allow clinicians to track a patient’s vitals, like blood pressure or glucose, to catch problems before they become emergencies. House Bill 867 is expected to be heard in the House Insurance Committee on March 19.
Juvenile Justice Commission: The House of Representatives approved a bill aimed at improving the state’s juvenile justice system this week. House Bill 501, sponsored by State Rep. Mary Littleton, R-Dickson, creates the Tennessee Juvenile Justice Review Commission. This 20-member group will review adjudicated juvenile cases involving critical incidents and systemic concerns to discuss potential legislation or policy changes. Cases may include escape, abuse by staff, extreme placement instability and transfers of juveniles to adult corrections. Members include lawmakers, law enforcement, state agency representatives and an individual with first-hand experience as an adjudicated juvenile within the state system. The companion version of House Bill 501 is still advancing through the Senate.
Protecting Tennesseans’ DNA: The General Assembly this week approved legislation to protect Tennesseans’ DNA from foreign adversaries and ensure the state is disconnected from China’s illegal organ practices. The Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act, sponsored by State Rep. Bryan Terry, R-Murfreesboro, bans any genetic sequencers or software from foreign adversaries in Tennessee and also prohibits a health insurer from knowingly covering organ transplants in China or any transplants involving organs sold or donated by Chinese sources. House Bill 395 will soon head to the governor’s desk for his signature. It will take effect Jan. 1, 2026.
Pharmacists: The General Assembly has approved legislation making various updates to a 2024 law allowing pharmacists to prescribe certain medications. House Bill 693, sponsored by State Rep. Charlie Baum, R-Murfreesboro, authorizes pharmacists to schedule appointments with patients looking to obtain hormonal birth control. Typically, an administrative fee for this appointment would be billed to the patient’s insurance. This bill removes the fee for individuals who receive a pharmacy benefit covering the cost of contraceptives. It also codifies that a person may lawfully possess a drug prescribed by a pharmacist. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature. It will take effect on July 1, 2025.
DNA collection on death row: The House of Representatives passed a bill on Thursday that mandates the collection of biological specimens, such as blood or saliva, from individuals on death row within 30 days of their sentencing or before completing a shorter term of incarceration. House Bill 341, sponsored by State Rep. John Gillespie, R-Memphis, specifically targets those required to register as sex offenders. Prior to this legislation, there was no set timeline or clear responsibility for collecting these specimens. House Bill 341 also empowers law enforcement, including the Tennessee Department of Correction, to submit DNA samples from deceased offenders convicted of qualifying crimes to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) for analysis, regardless of when the conviction occurred. The companion version of House Bill 341 was approved by the Senate in February. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Adoption records: The General Assembly this week passed House Bill 102, a measure aimed at making it easier for individuals to access their adoption-related records at a younger age. Sponsored by House Majority Leader William Lamberth, R-Portland, and State Rep. William Slater, R-Gallatin, the legislation lowers the age a person can access their own adoption records from 21 to 18. This change aims to support greater transparency and provide adoptees with the opportunity to learn more about their background as they transition into adulthood. The bill now heads to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Detransition procedures: House Bill 754 by House Republican Caucus Chairman Jeremy Faison, R-Cosby, would require insurance plans that cover transgender procedures to also cover detransition treatments. It would also prohibit a county or municipality from denying mental health therapy to help a minor address gender dysphoria. To increase transparency, House Bill 754 requires a gender clinic that uses funds provided by the state to directly or indirectly provide or pay for gender transition procedures to agree to provide or pay for the performance of detransition procedures as a condition of receiving such funds. Finally, it requires gender clinics to report statistics regarding all gender transition procedures to the Tennessee Department of Health (DOH) no later than 15 days after the end of the calendar month during which the procedure was prescribed.
Consumer protection: A new bill introduced aims to protect consumers from unfair billing practices when terminating contracts for services like telephone, cable, internet and broadband. House Bill 141, sponsored by State Rep. Michael Hale, R-Smithville, will prohibit service providers from billing consumers for a subsequent billing cycle if the agreement is terminated in the first half of a billing cycle. If terminated in the second half, providers can bill for the remaining cycle and one additional cycle. Violating this provision would be considered an unfair or deceptive practice under the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act of 1977, subjecting offenders to penalties. House Bill 141 will be heard for consideration in the House Commerce Committee on March 19.