All Roll Calls
Yes: 125 • No: 2
TennesseeSB 1597114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38 and Title 68, relative to death certificates.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Vital Records
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
More relatives can request death certificate information
Effective upon enactment, Tennessee's law adds surviving parents as next of kin under the covered death-record rule. The existing highest-priority person remains next of kin. A deceased person's spouse, child, parent, or other next of kin can specifically request certain death certificate information. The other parent of the deceased person's child can also request it when the child is under 18. Authorized representatives can make these requests for anyone in those groups.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Todd Gardenhire
Republican • Senate
Roll Call Votes
House vote • 3/23/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 3/23/2026
Yes: 87 • No: 0
Senate vote • 2/23/2026
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 2/23/2026
Yes: 30 • No: 1
Senate vote • 2/17/2026
SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Yes: 8 • No: 1
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 04/07/2026
4/27/2026Pub. Ch. 666
4/27/2026Signed by Governor.
4/7/2026SenateTransmitted to Governor for action.
3/27/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
3/26/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
3/25/2026SenateEnrolled and ready for signatures
3/24/2026SenatePassed H., Ayes 87, Nays 0, PNV 0
3/23/2026HouseSubst. for comp. HB.
3/23/2026HouseRcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
2/26/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
2/24/2026SenateEngrossed; ready for transmission to House
2/23/2026SenatePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 1, PNV 1
2/23/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0500)
2/23/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Regular Calendar for 2/23/2026
2/20/2026SenateRecommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
2/17/2026SenatePlaced on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/17/2026
2/11/2026SenatePassed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
1/14/2026SenateIntroduced, Passed on First Consideration
1/13/2026SenateFiled for introduction
1/12/2026Senate
Bill Text
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA0500
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