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TennesseeHB 0395114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 56 and Title 68, relative to the Tennessee Genomic Security and End Organ Harvesting Act.

Sponsored By: Bryan Terry (Republican)

Became Law

Anatomical Gifts

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

5 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 2 costs, 2 mixed.

Cash damages if your DNA is misused

Starting January 1, 2026, if you were a patient or research subject and your genetic data was used, stored, or accessed in violation of this law, you can recover at least $5,000 for each unique unauthorized use. You must show the entity was found guilty of violating the banned-equipment rule (§68-30-204) or the storage and access rule (§68-30-205), and that your genetic information was used.

Hospitals must replace banned DNA sequencers

Starting January 1, 2026, hospitals and labs cannot use genetic sequencers or sequencing software made by or tied to a foreign adversary. If the banned gear still works, they must remove and replace it within 180 days after January 1, 2026. They do not have to inspect every single part to comply. Using banned gear to sequence or analyze a genome triggers a $10,000 fine for each instance.

Limits foreign access to DNA data

Starting January 1, 2026, hospitals, labs, and companies cannot store genetic sequencing data within a foreign adversary. They cannot let a foreign adversary access that data remotely unless the health commissioner approves in writing. Open public data is excluded. They must use strong security, including encryption and access limits, for genetic data they hold or store with vendors. Entities that knowingly store genetic data outside the United States in violation of the law face a $10,000 fine for each violation.

No insurance for China organ transplants

Health insurers in Tennessee cannot knowingly pay for a human organ transplant done in the People’s Republic of China. They also cannot cover a transplant if the organ was bought or donated from China. This applies to plans offered, issued, delivered, amended, or renewed to take effect on or after January 1, 2026. A plan that knowingly pays for a banned transplant faces a $100,000 fine for each violation.

Annual compliance checks and whistleblower rights

Beginning January 1, 2026, the Health Facilities Commission can investigate alleged violations, and anyone may report a possible violation. If federal CMS denies the commission entry to a facility, the commission must take no further action on that complaint. By July 1 each year, hospitals, labs, research institutions, and licensed health facilities must certify under penalty of perjury that they follow this law. Employees who report a violation to the commission get whistleblower protections under Tennessee Code §50-1-304. The health commissioner may also add countries that support forced organ harvesting to a public list, must notify the governor, and the department posts the list online.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Bryan Terry

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Ed Butler

    Republican • House

  • David B. Hawk

    Republican • House

  • Esther Helton-Haynes

    Republican • House

  • Timothy Hill

    Republican • House

  • Tom Leatherwood

    Republican • House

  • Brock Martin

    Republican • House

  • Jay D. Reedy

    Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 144 • No: 0

Senate vote • 3/17/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 3/17/2025

Yes: 27 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/10/2025

Yes: 90 • No: 0

House vote • 3/10/2025

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 3/4/2025

HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE

Yes: 18 • No: 0

House vote • 2/19/2025

HOUSE HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 96

    4/4/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 01/01/2026

    4/4/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    3/28/2025

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    3/20/2025House

  5. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    3/19/2025House

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    3/19/2025House

  7. Signed by Senate Speaker

    3/19/2025Senate

  8. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    3/17/2025Senate

  9. Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 0, PNV 3

    3/17/2025Senate

  10. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/10/2025House

  11. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0033)

    3/10/2025House

  12. Passed H., as am., Ayes 90, Nays 0, PNV 3

    3/10/2025House

  13. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    3/10/2025House

  14. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    3/10/2025Senate

  15. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/10/2025

    3/6/2025House

  16. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/6/2025

    3/5/2025House

  17. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

    3/4/2025House

  18. Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/4/2025

    2/26/2025House

  19. Action def. in Health Committee to 3/4/25

    2/25/2025House

  20. Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Health Committee

    2/19/2025House

  21. Placed on cal. Health Committee for 2/25/2025

    2/19/2025House

  22. Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 2/19/2025

    2/12/2025House

  23. P2C, ref. to Health Committee

    2/5/2025House

  24. Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee

    2/5/2025House

  25. Intro., P1C.

    2/3/2025House

Bill Text

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