AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33 and Title 68, Chapter 1, relative to early childhood mental health programs.

Mental health home visits for young children

Beginning July 1, 2026, Tennessee law establishes a voluntary mental health home visiting program for children from birth through age five. The Department of Health runs it with the Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services. Priority goes to families the departments find at risk because of economic, environmental, or behavioral health challenges. Services include parent-child therapy, child assessments, and help connecting families with medical, education, housing, and social services. Providers must employ or contract with licensed clinicians and care coordinators trained in the state's approved, evidence-based model. The state sets provider, training, and evaluation standards, checks that providers follow the model, and coordinates with existing programs. Funding can come from federal funds, state appropriations, grants, and donations; the department must also explore community and philanthropic partnerships. TennCare funding requires managed-care reimbursement agreements for medically necessary services; the law does not guarantee services for every family. Reports on families served, outcomes, funding, spending, and recommended improvements are due to legislative clerks by January 15 after each implementation year. Rulemaking authority takes effect upon becoming law; all other provisions take effect July 1, 2026.