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TennesseeSB 1284114th General Assembly (2025-2026)SenateWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to health related licensure.

Sponsored By: Jack Johnson (Republican)

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Boards and Commissions

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New rules for respiratory therapist licenses

To get a Tennessee respiratory therapist license, you must be at least 18 and of good moral character. You must pay board fees and finish a respiratory care program recognized by the board or the National Board for Respiratory Care. Certified therapist applicants must show the NBRC CRT or CRTT credential. Registered therapist applicants must show the NBRC RRT credential.

Providers face 10-day record deadline

Healthcare providers and facilities licensed under Title 63 or 68 must give the health department requested records within 10 business days. Records can be released only with a patient’s signed authorization, or a written request from department investigators, inspectors, or surveyors. The written request must state the alleged violation, the laws or rules involved, and the due date, and be in good faith. This duty applies to any licensed provider or facility, and those with electronic records must send a copy within 10 business days.

Stronger privacy in discipline cases

After formal disciplinary charges are filed, only the documents that support the charges can be made public. Names of complainants, witnesses who ask for anonymity, patients, and patient medical records stay private. Investigators’ reports and those identities can be released only to law enforcement with a subpoena. If no formal charges are filed, investigative materials are disclosed only as allowed by law.

New quorum and panels for health boards

For state health licensing agencies under Title 63 or certain Title 68 chapters, three members make a quorum for hearings and discipline. The presiding officer may use panels of three or more members, and a majority of the panel can act. If a panel member leaves before a final order, a replacement is needed only if fewer than three remain; panel decisions count as board orders. The presiding officer may appoint any board members to panels regardless of region or member type. The law also deletes Tennessee Code § 63-1-105, removing the rules that section contained.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Jack Johnson

    Republican • Senate

Cosponsors

  • Bobby Harshbarger

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 36 • No: 2

Senate vote • 3/6/2025

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 3/6/2025

Yes: 28 • No: 1

Senate vote • 2/26/2025

SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 1

Actions Timeline

  1. Pub. Ch. 127

    4/8/2025

  2. Effective date(s) 04/03/2025

    4/8/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/3/2025Senate

  4. Signed by H. Speaker

    3/26/2025House

  5. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    3/26/2025Senate

  6. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    3/25/2025Senate

  7. Signed by Senate Speaker

    3/25/2025Senate

  8. Subst. for comp. HB.

    3/24/2025House

  9. Passed H., Ayes 96, Nays 0, PNV 0

    3/24/2025House

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

    3/10/2025House

  11. Passed Senate, Ayes 28, Nays 1

    3/6/2025Senate

  12. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    3/6/2025Senate

  13. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/6/2025

    3/4/2025Senate

  14. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

    2/26/2025Senate

  15. Sponsor(s) Added.

    2/25/2025Senate

  16. Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 2/26/2025

    2/19/2025Senate

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

    2/12/2025Senate

  18. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/10/2025Senate

  19. Filed for introduction

    2/6/2025Senate

Bill Text

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

Related Bills

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