SB 1585/ HB2183 | Removal of provision repealing the Tennessee Zero to Three Court Initiative.

Removes the statutory provision that would repeal the Tennessee Zero to Three Court Initiative on January 1, 2025. (Allows the permanency of Safe Baby Courts).

SB1586/HB2788 | Child protective teams - data sharing.

Permits the district attorneys general conference, the administrative office of the courts, the Tennessee chapter of children's advocacy centers, the department of children's services, and law enforcement agencies to enter into data sharing agreements that allow for the sharing of information necessary to ensure compliance with statutory reporting requirements. Specifies that data shared pursuant to an agreement retains its confidential status consistent with current law. Broadly captioned.

*We are supporting the Children’s Advocacy Center by prioritizing this legislation.

SB1759/HB1669 | Notice required for closure of child care agency.

Requires a childcare agency to inform parents at least 60 days before permanent closure of the childcare agency. Applies to parents of enrolled children who are currently enrolled at the agency and for whom tuition or attendance fees are being paid, have attended the agency within the last 90 calendar days, or are on a wait list to be enrolled at the agency. Broadly captioned.

SB1907/HB2517 | Removal of provision repealing the Tennessee Zero to Three Court Initiative.

Creates the "Municipalities' Access To Childcare" ("MATCH") fund that, for three years, provides local governmental entities a dollar-for-dollar state match on funding projects that will expand the number of early childhood care and education quality slots for families with children 31 months or younger, regardless of income. Gives priority to local governmental entities located in counties identified as distressed or childcare deserts. Broadly captioned.

SB2213/HB2181 | Education funding through TISA - pre-k students with special education needs.

Adds pre-kindergarten students with special education needs and peer models to the category of students that generate education funding through the TISA. Additionally, specifies that the comptroller of the treasury should examine the TISA to determine the effectiveness of state expenditures.

SB2536/HB2444 | Release from county workhouse of jail for employment.

Allows a prisoner of a county workhouse or jail to be released from custody on work release or otherwise allowed to leave the grounds of the county workhouse or jail for employment or to perform work in the community, whether paid or unpaid, without using an electronic monitoring device if the judge of the sentencing court and the sheriff of the county where the jail or workhouse is located approve the prisoner's release in writing.

SB2728/HB2207 | Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Act.

Enacts the "Menstrual Hygiene Products Accessibility Act," which requires each LEA and public charter school shall provide feminine hygiene products, at no charge, in all women's and girls' bathrooms, locker rooms, and with the school nurse in each eligible school building where instruction is provided, excluding bathrooms and locker rooms that are specifically designated for teacher or staff use. Specifies that the feminine hygiene products provided are for student use only. Creates a special account in the state treasury to be known as the menstrual hygiene products accessibility account. Broadly captioned.

SB 1545/ HB 1554 | Paid leave for state employees upon becoming a foster parent.

Establishes a program under which a state employee may receive up to six weeks of paid leave if the employee becomes a foster parent of a minor child.

SB1674/HB2461 | Reimbursement of remote ultrasound procedures and remote fetal nonstress tests.

Directs the bureau of TennCare to amend existing or promulgate new rules by December 31, 2024, to allow for the reimbursement of qualifying remote ultrasound procedures and remote fetal nonstress tests utilizing established CPT codes for such procedures when the patient is in a residence or other off-site location that is separate from the patient's provider and the same standard of care is met.

SB1755/HB1637 | Sales tax exemption for infant formula, diapers, and wipes.

Creates an exemption of sales tax from the retail sale of infant formula, diapers, and wipes if sold between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025.

-Local Delegate Greg Martin is House Sponsor.-

SB1804/HB1943 | Tennessee Contraceptive Freedom Act.

Enacts the "Tennessee Contraceptive Freedom Act" which reinforces that a person has a right to obtain contraceptives and engage in family planning and contraception and that a healthcare provider shall provide contraceptives, contraception, and information related to contraception and family planning to consenting patients; or refer consenting patients to a healthcare provider that can provide contraceptives, contraception, and information related to contraception and family planning. Prohibits the rights set forth by this law must not be limited or otherwise infringed through a limitation or requirement. Requires that on or after July 1, 2024, health insurance carriers and public health agencies shall ensure affordable access to a wide range of contraceptive methods for all consenting persons. Prohibits or restricts the sale, provision, or use of any contraceptives that have been approved by the federal food and drug administration for contraceptive purposes by the state or political subdivision of the state. Broadly captioned.

SB1832/HB2226 | Tennessee Maternal Health Equity Advisory Committee Act.

Enacts the "Tennessee Maternal Health Equity Advisory Committee Act," which creates within the department of health the Tennessee Maternal Health Equity Advisory Committee composed of 11 members appointed by the governor. Specifies that the purpose of the committee is to systematically review maternal health data, identify disparities in maternal healthcare delivery, and formulate recommendations to the department aimed at enhancing maternal health outcomes, with a specific focus on minority women and women residing in urban and rural communities within this state. Requires the committee to make recommendations to the department based on its findings. Also requires the committee to submit an annual report to the governor, the chair of the health and welfare committee of the senate, and to the chair of the house health committee summarizing its findings and recommendations.

SB1961/HB2397 | Inflationary adjustments for TANF benefits.

Beginning on January 1, 2025, and on January 1 of each subsequent year, requires the base payment for TANF eligible families to be increased to reflect the effect of inflation based upon the percentage of change between the two preceding calendar years. Broadly captioned.

SB2071/HB1675 | Expands eligibility for reimbursement as a relative caregiver.

Expands the eligibility for reimbursement as a relative caregiver by removing the income limitations and including a relative caregiver who meets the eligibility requirements and has been awarded custody by an order of any court. Part of Administration Package.

SB2076/HB1680 | Expansion of the definition of abuse or neglect for adults.

Expands the definition of abuse or neglect to include situations when an adult is unable to provide or obtain the services necessary to maintain the adult's personal health or welfare. Part of Administration Package.

*DHS is running this bill to add language expanding the definition of abuse/neglect to our Economic Abuse bill from last year.

SB2078/HB1886 | Revisions to TANF program.

Implements penalties for certain offenses for beneficiaries of the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF) program and food stamp program, including penalties for fraudulent receipt of benefits. Removes an exemption from the TANF work requirement for a parent or caretaker relative who proves to the satisfaction of the department the existence of the person's temporary incapacity or permanent disability. Removes the requirement that the TANF maximum payment standard must not increase when a caregiver relative becomes pregnant while receiving assistance. Part of Administration Package.

SB2098/HB2089 | Tennessee Disability and Aging Act of 2024.

Enacts the "Tennessee Disability and Aging Act of 2024," which creates the department of disability and aging and specifies powers and duties of department. Requires the department to plan, coordinate, administer, monitor, and evaluate state and federally funded services and supports as a community-based system within the total system of services and supports for persons with an intellectual or developmental disability, or at risk for those conditions, and for their families. Permits the department to license services and facilities operated for the provision of disability services and for personal support services. Specifies persons who are exempt from licensing by the department. Specifies that it is unlawful for a person, partnership, association, or corporation to own or operate a service or facility that provides intellectual or developmental disability services or personal support services without having obtained a license as required by this part. Makes a violation of this requirement a Class B misdemeanor and specifies that each day of operation without a license constitutes a separate offense. Specifies grounds that department may suspend or revoke a license and allows department to assess a civil penalty on a licensee for violation of this title or of a department rule. Establishes licensing process for personal support services. Makes other revisions. Part of Administration Package

SB2159/HB2321 | Increases the amount of personal needs allowance for long-term nursing home residents.

Increases the amount of personal needs allowance from $50 to $70 for long-term nursing home residents.

-Local Delegate Patsy Hazlewood is the House Sponsor -

SB2374/HB2317 | TACIR study on laws and regulations affecting child care businesses.

Requires TACIR to complete a study on laws, regulations, and rules affecting the start-up, operation, and expansion of child care businesses in this state. Requires TACIR to submit a report disclosing findings from the study and recommended legislation to the governor, the speaker of the house of representatives, the speaker of the senate, and the legislative librarian no later than January 31, 2025. Broadly captioned.

-Local Delegate Bo Watson is the Senate Sponsor -

SB2458/HB2338 | Bereavement leave for death of child or stepchild.

Increases, from three days to three months, the amount of paid leave provided to the officers and employees of the various agencies, boards, and departments of state government in the event of death of such officers' or employees' children or stepchildren.

SB2484/HB2690 | Grant issuance to support installation of adult-sized changing tables.

Requires the department to issue grants, subject to appropriations, to support the installation of powered, height-adjustable, adult-sized changing tables in single occupancy family restrooms in privately and municipally owned buildings open to the public across this state. Authorizes the commissioner to create and convene an ad hoc committee to advise and assist with grant applications. Broadly captioned.

-Local Delegate Bo Watson is the Senate Sponsor -

SB2881/HB2956 | Requires that any new construction of a public building must include an adult changing table.

Requires that any new construction of a public building must include at least one powered, height-adjustable, adult-sized changing table in a single occupancy restroom that is universal to gender and available to the public with signage in the entrance of the building indicating its location. Broadly captioned.

SB2629/HB2549 I Tennessee Strong Families Act.

Requires, on or after January 1, 2025, a health carrier that issues or renews a health insurance policy, health benefit plan, or contract of accident or health insurance providing benefits for medical or hospital expenses to provide coverage for the expenses of standard fertility services for patients with infertility as the result of cancer treatment. Excludes employer- sponsored health plans. Broadly captioned.

-Local Delegate Esther Helto - Haynes is the House Sponsor -

SB2655/HB2697 | Paid leave for public charter school educators after birth or adoption of child.

Requires public charter schools to provide educators six work weeks of paid leave after the birth or stillbirth of the educator's child or after the educator's adoption of a newly placed minor child. Broadly captioned.

SB2830/HB2923 | Family leave for public charter school employees after birth or adoption of a child.

Requires public charter schools to provide licensed employees of the public charter school six paid workweeks after a birth or stillbirth of the employee's child or the employee's adoption of a newly placed minor child. Broadly captioned.

SJR848 | Urges development of comprehensive statewide Paid Family Caregiving Policy and Program.

Urges development of comprehensive statewide Paid Family Caregiving Policy and Program.

SB2350/HB1948 | Requirements for public institutions of higher education regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Establishes various prohibitions and requirements for public institutions of higher education regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion. Broadly captioned.

SB2766/HB1634 | Educator's obligations to students.

Removes language prohibiting educators from discriminating against students on certain, specified bases, including cultural background and sexual orientation, and instead generally prohibits educators from discriminating against students who are members of a protected class under federal or state law. Removes the definition of "gender identity" for purposes of the family life curriculum.