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TennesseeSB 1388114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71, Chapter 4, relative to vocational services for persons with disabilities.

Sponsored By: Bo Watson (Republican)

Became Law

Human Services, Dept. of

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 1 costs, 1 mixed.

New complaint and discipline for blind vendors

The Department sets a formal process for public property managers to file complaints about licensed blind vending operators. After investigation, if a complaint is proven, the Department orders a corrective action plan. It can require retraining, put the license on probation, remove the operator in an emergency, or remove the license for cause. These actions can limit or end an operator’s vending income on public property.

New vending path for non-blind operators

Eligible non-blind Tennessee residents with disabilities can train and be licensed to run vending at some public sites as part of their IPE. You must live in Tennessee. The Department must find vocational rehab is feasible and you must have an IPE. Sites are limited to places where blind operators choose not to operate, or where no unassigned income existed when the law took effect. The Department funds approved goods, services, and starting stock under the person’s IPE. The Department also takes and investigates complaints from public property managers about these operators.

Blind vendors keep first preference and funds

Licensed blind vendors keep first preference to run vending on public property. If a non-blind operator stops, the Department must first check if blind vendors now choose to take the site before reassigning it. Money set aside for blind vendors, including set-aside, unassigned, and BEP funds, cannot support the non-blind program.

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Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bo Watson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

There are no cosponsors for this bill.

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 116 • No: 18

House vote • 4/17/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/17/2025

Yes: 75 • No: 18

Senate vote • 4/7/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/7/2025

Yes: 32 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/26/2025

SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 402

    5/13/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 05/05/2025

    5/13/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/5/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/23/2025Senate

  5. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/22/2025Senate

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/22/2025Senate

  7. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/22/2025House

  8. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/17/2025House

  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0201)

    4/17/2025House

  10. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - HA0356)

    4/17/2025House

  11. Passed H., Ayes 75, Nays 18, PNV 1

    4/17/2025House

  12. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    4/9/2025House

  13. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0260)

    4/7/2025Senate

  14. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0

    4/7/2025Senate

  15. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    4/7/2025Senate

  16. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/7/2025

    4/4/2025Senate

  17. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0

    3/26/2025Senate

  18. Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/26/2025

    3/19/2025Senate

  19. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee

    2/12/2025Senate

  20. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/10/2025Senate

  21. Filed for introduction

    2/6/2025Senate

Bill Text

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