The Transportation and Safety Committee concluded its business for the year, while several other committees set their final calendars.  All nine standing committees completed their budget hearings where they closely examined 63 total budgets from state departments and agencies.  

On Monday, in a joint session of the General Assembly, lawmakers confirmed Mary L. Wagner, of Germantown, to the Tennessee Supreme Court. She is the third justice appointed by Governor Bill Lee and will succeed Justice Roger Page, who is retiring in August. 

This week, lawmakers prioritized legislation to protect children from harmful online content, as well as protect the religious freedom of foster and adoptive parents in Tennessee. Other legislation advanced this week to crack down on the opioid crisis by punishing distributors of deadly drugs and expanding the ability for providers to treat opioid addiction.

Next week, members will start to turn their attention toward the budget and begin submitting appropriations amendments to request funding for legislation or other budget items. 

 

Protecting Children from Social Media Act

It is vital to ensure the safety and well-being of Tennessee youth in the digital age. With the exponential growth of social media platforms, the Protecting Children from Social Media Act, sponsored by Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin), aims to safeguard children from harmful content found on social media platforms.

“The evidence is clear: social media has harmful effects for children, teens and young adults,” said Johnson. “Oftentimes young children create social media accounts without their parents knowledge or consent. The unsupervised use of social media by children is not only inappropriate but can be potentially harmful to those children. This legislation puts parents back in the driver’s seat of their children’s social media usage. It lays out clear steps social media companies must take to verify the ages of users to protect Tennessee children and empower parents.”

The bill would require social media companies to verify the age of any individual creating an account on their platform. If the account holder is a minor, the company must obtain express consent from the parent or guardian for the account creation.

Additionally, the bill would require social media companies to provide parents and guardians with account restriction options for their child. These restrictions include privacy settings, daily time restrictions, and implemented breaks from the platform. 

Senate Bill 2097 cleared the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and is now awaiting final passage on the Senate floor.

 

Republicans seek to protect children from accessing pornography online

Protecting children is a top priority of Republicans in the state. Legislation advanced in the Senate this week seeking to shield kids from the harmful effects of pornography.

Senate Bill 1792, sponsored by Senator Becky Massey (R-Knoxville), seeks to prevent children from accessing explicit adult content by requiring online media companies and operators to verify users’ age for access.

“Introducing children to pornography constitutes a type of sexual abuse and exploitation, with profound implications for their intellectual growth and emotional health,” said Massey. “We need to make every effort to prevent children from accessing online sites with content that is not only extremely inappropriate for children, but can damage their development and impact their relationships.” 

Known as the Protect Tennessee Minors Act, the bill would require companies to verify users are at least 18 using a valid form of identification issued in the United States.

The legislation would create a Class C felony for website owners and operators convicted of violating the law. The Tennessee Department of Homeland Security would be responsible for enforcing compliance with the law.

A national survey by Common Sense Media cited 73 percent of teen respondents aged 13-17 had watched pornography online. Fifty-four percent reported first watching pornography online before age 13.

The bill passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Wednesday and now awaits final passage on the Senate floor. 

 

Including AI-Generated images to materials that qualify as sexual exploitation of a child

Similarly, another bill advanced this week to strengthen laws regarding the sexual exploitation of children. Senate Bill 2668, sponsored by Senator Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro), would add AI-generated images are punishable under the state’s laws dealing with sexual exploitation of children. The legislation advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee to the Senate floor. 

 

Senate Republicans Advance Tennessee Foster and Adoptive Parent Protection Act 

This week, Senate Judiciary Republicans advanced legislation that will enact the Tennessee Foster and Adoptive Parent Protection Act. The legislation aims to protect religious freedom for existing and prospective foster and adoptive parents in Tennessee and ensure that the number of foster care homes in Tennessee continues to grow. 

In other states, families seeking to adopt or foster have been denied approval because of their religious beliefs on marriage or traditional sexuality.  Senate Bill 1738, sponsored by Senator Paul Rose (R- Covington), specifically prohibits the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) from requiring foster parents to adopt, affirm, or support any government policy. It also prevents DCS from denying eligibility to foster or adopt because of their religious and moral beliefs held. The bill also maintains that a child’s best interest is prioritized during placement. 

“We desperately need foster homes around the country,” said Sen. Rose. “In Tennessee, we will ensure no family is denied the ability to foster or adopt because of their religious beliefs. This bill aims to protect foster and adoptive families’ religious freedom and ensures we do not exclude those loving families from foster care and adoption.” 

The bill advances to the Senate floor for final consideration. 

 

Paid Leave for State Employee Foster Parents – Senate Bill 1545, sponsored by Senator Paul Rose (R-Covington), will grant state employees who become foster parents six weeks of paid leave to promote the consistent stability and support crucial to a child’s well-being. Last year, the General Assembly enacted legislation to extend paid leave upon the birth or adoption of a child for state employees, and this legislation expands upon that effort. The bill received unanimous approval in the State and Local Government Committee and advances to the Senate floor for final approval. 

 

Tennessee lawmakers move to punish distributors of deadly fentanyl with second-degree murder

Tennessee lawmakers are taking active steps to address the state’s opioid crisis, particularly the alarming rate of fentanyl overdoses. The Senate recently passed a resolution to assist Texas with its border crisis, recognizing the link between border security and drug trafficking. This week, the Tennessee General Assembly is moving forward with legislation to enhance the penalties for fentanyl distribution. 

Senate Bill 1754, sponsored by Senator Adam Lowe, would enable District Attorneys to pursue second-degree murder charges for offenders who distribute fentanyl that results in the death of another person.  The legislation would allow an offender to be prosecuted for both drug distribution and second-degree murder charges. 

The bill also addresses intrastate drug trafficking by allowing the use of geotracking services to find and prosecute distributors that are crossing county lines. 

“I recently visited the Texas border to see where the fentanyl we are seizing in Tennessee is coming from,” said Lowe. “I spoke with border patrol agents and there is another level of this crisis that hasn’t even made it to Tennessee yet. The question is: what more can we do? We have to address the trafficking of fentanyl and we have to take a hard line on Fentanyl in Tennessee.” 

The Senate Judiciary Committee passed Senate Bill 1754 on Tuesday. The bill now moves to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee. 

 

Increasing access to opioid addiction treatment – Those who are battling opioid addiction can seek treatment at a federally qualified treatment center where mid-level physicians, like nurse practitioners and physician assistants, can prescribe buprenorphine which is used in medication-assisted treatment. Currently, those mid-level physicians are capped at 50 patients they can treat with buprenorphine. To increase access to treatment centers, Senator Shane Reeves (R-Murfreesboro) is sponsoring legislation that will increase the number of patients from 50 to 100 that a mid-level physician can see and treat with buprenorphine. The bill would also increase the number of mid-level physicians a physician can supervise from four to five. Senate Bill 2019 advanced out of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee to the Senate floor for final approval.

 

General Assembly passes bill ensuring local governments enforce laws  

The General Assembly on Thursday approved legislation ensuring local governments cannot nullify state laws. Senate Bill 2572, sponsored by Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) will prevent local government or officials from limiting the ability of law enforcement to conduct a traffic stop if a local, state or federal law is believed to have been violated. 

It ensures law enforcement is not prohibited from investigating suspected traffic-related violations like speeding, expired tags, broken headlights or taillights, or loose bumpers. 

“I am grateful to my colleagues for understanding how important routine traffic stops are to restore law and order in our community,” said Taylor. “It’s time to take handcuffs off police and put them on criminals where they belong. I am dedicated to doing all I can to get crime under control and make Memphis matter. We must continue to work to save our city. Tennessee cannot be successful if its most famous city is sliding into chaos.”

The Senate passed Senate Bill 2572 on Thursday following the House passing the legislation last week. The bill now heads to Gov. Bill Lee’s desk for his signature.

 

Prioritizing safety of communities when setting bail – Senate Bill 2562, also sponsored by Taylor, requires judges to prioritize the safety of communities when setting bail for defendants. Other factors, such as the likelihood of appearing for their court date, would still be considered.

 

Enforcing sanctuary city ban – To ensure that no city in Tennessee is harboring illegal immigrants, Sen. Taylor is sponsoring legislation that will require the Sheriff of every county to fully comply with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Legislation was passed in 2018 that authorized sheriffs to ban sanctuary cities in Tennessee. This bill ensures that the prohibition of sanctuary cities is enforced. Senate Bill 2576 advances to the Senate floor. 

 

Lifetime orders of protection – The Senate Judiciary Committee advanced Senate Bill 1699 sponsored by Senator Paul Rose (R-Covington) to extend lifetime protection for victims of aggravated stalking. The legislation would prohibit convicted offenders from communicating with their victims for life. The bill strengthens existing legislation passed by the General Assembly in 2021 that allowed victims of violent crime to petition a court for a lifetime order of protection.

 

Cracking down on indecent exposure by inmates – There is a rampant problem in state prisons of inmates continuously exposing themselves to correctional officers and other staff members, especially female officers and staff. Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) is sponsoring Senate Bill 2337 which will enhance the punishment to a Class E felony from a Class A misdemeanor.  If convicted, it would extend the inmate’s sentence by two weeks. If convicted more than once, the sentences will be served consecutively. The bill advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee to the Senate floor for final consideration. 

 

Protecting property from unnecessary government seizure – Senator Frank Niceley (R-Strawberry Plains) is sponsoring two bills that will protect citizens from abuse of eminent domain powers.

Senate Bill 1984 prohibits the use of eminent domain power to seize land for recreational use. The bill does not change the use of eminent domain for roads, bridges or other utility needs. 

Senate Bill 1983 would require the authority condemning land under eminent domain to prove in court the property is necessary for public use.  The condemning authority must provide a plan for the finished project,  a funding source, and there must be no other reasonable property for sale in the vicinity. Both bills passed out of the Senate Judiciary Committee and advanced to the Senate floor for final approval. 

 

Minimizing foreign influence in real estate in Tennessee by sanctioned countries – Lawmakers this week continued efforts to restrict foreign influence and ownership of Tennessee land. 

Last year, the Tennessee General Assembly passed Senate Bill 122,  sponsored by Niceley, which prevents foreign governments, businesses and non-US citizens from the 38 countries on the U.S Department of Treasury’s sanctions list, in addition to China, from purchasing or acquiring real estate in Tennessee. 

To build on those efforts, this year, Sen. Ed Jackson (R-Jackson) is sponsoring Senate Bill 2843 which further prevents these governments from influencing Tennessee real estate by prohibiting a foreign business entity from entering into an agreement relating to critical infrastructure or agricultural land in this state. The bill passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and now moves to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee.

 

Preventing healthcare coercion – To protect patients from undue pressure by healthcare providers, Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) is sponsoring legislation that will prohibit providers from coercing, misleading or misrepresenting information to a patient receiving a vaccine or a screening test. 

The legislation is aimed at protecting an individual’s right to make their own healthcare decisions. Senate Bill 2151 passed the Health Committee this week and advances to the Senate floor for final consideration. 

 

Exclusive waterfowl hunts for veterans – The Senate approved legislation this week to expand hunting opportunities for veterans and active duty military. 

Senate Bill 1716, sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald), would establish two days exclusively for veterans and active military personnel to hunt waterfowl at no cost. The legislation requires the veteran to be issued the necessary permits and licenses to hunt waterfowl at no cost to the veteran.  

 

Designating 10 State Books – Tennessee has many official state symbols ranging from flowers to songs, but there are currently no official state books. Senator Paul Rose is sponsoring Senate Bill 1822 which will designate ten official state books written largely by Tennessee authors. 

The books center around the history of the United States, democracy and Tennessee culture. Among the proposed state books are All the King’s Men by Tennessean Robert Penn Warren; The Civil War: A Narrative by renowned historian from Memphis Shelby Foote; Coat of Many Colors by Dolly Parton; and the Aitken Bible which was the first first English Bible printed in America in 1782. 

The bill passed the Commerce and Labor Committee this week and advances to the Senate floor for final consideration. 

 

Fighting human trafficking at adult entertainment establishments – The Senate Judiciary Committee approved legislation that requires that all adult-oriented establishments post the human trafficking hotline number on bathroom doors and all doors going in and out of the establishment. Senate Bill 2663 is sponsored by Senator Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro) and advances to the Senate floor for final approval. 

 

Transparent prescription drug pricing – Tennessee lawmakers are advancing legislation to help provide patients with more clarity on the cost of their prescription drugs. Speaker Pro Tem Ferrell Haile (R- Gallatin) is sponsoring Senate Bill 2274 to encourage pharmacists to disclose the lowest prescription drug cost before purchase and inform their patients about the effect it will have on their deductible status. This legislation addresses issues with cash discount cards, which can sometimes be misleading and adversely affect a patient’s deductible status. 

 

Extending mental health coverage – Legislation sponsored by Senator Becky Massey (R-Knoxville) would improve mental health coverage for TennCare recipients. Senate Bill 2801 would require TennCare to align coverage for mental health services with the coverage provided for alcoholism and drug dependence. The legislation passed the Commerce Committee on Tuesday and now awaits passage in the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee. 

 

Making telehealth more accessible –  Senator Becky Massey (R-Knoxville) is sponsoring legislation designed to make telehealth more accessible to patients. Under current law, provider-based telemedicine patients must establish an in-person relationship with their provider before meeting virtually and must also meet in person every 16 months. Senate Bill 1881 would eliminate the requirements of recurring in-person meetings and would also give providers the discretion as to whether patients are required to meet first in person. The bill passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Tuesday and now awaits passage on the Senate floor. 

 

Expediting construction timelines – The Senate Commerce and Labor Committee advanced legislation aimed at expediting construction timelines for Tennessee homeowners. Sponsored by Senator Paul Rose (R-Covington), Senate Bill 1735 would mandate fire marshals to conduct inspections within 72 hours of receiving inspection requests. The bill now awaits passage in the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee. 

 

Safeguarding subcontractors’ pay – To help protect subcontractors, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee passed legislation sponsored by Leader Jack Johnson (R-Franklin) that would ensure subcontractors are paid promptly. Senate Bill 1201 would require contractors to pay contractors within 90 days of project completion or face a $500 daily penalty payable to subcontractors. This legislation passed out of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee and now awaits passage on the Senate floor.

 

Adjusting District Attorney and Public Defender pay – Senator Ken Yager (R-Kingston) is sponsoring legislation that will increase the pay for elected district attorneys and public defenders. These professionals have not had a pay scale adjustment since 2006, while nearly every government agency has received a substantial pay increase within the last few years. Tennessee places a high value on public servants. The attorneys sworn to protect the public from harm and uphold the Constitution must be adequately compensated. Senate Bill 2332 passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and moves to the Senate Finance Committee. 

 

Open Meetings – To further ensure public access to meetings, Senator Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga) is sponsoring legislation that will require state and local governing bodies to make meeting agendas available at least 48 hours in advance of the meeting. Current law requires state and local legislative bodies to adhere to the same rule. The bill advances to the Senate floor for final consideration. 

 

Clarifying dependent and neglected child definition – Senator Ferrell Haile (R-Gallatin) is sponsoring legislation that clarifies the definition of a dependent and neglected child to specify that the criteria for dependence and neglect must be present at the time a petition is filed, not at the time the case is decided. Senate Bill 2349 advances to the Senate floor for final consideration. 

 

Keeping Tennesseans’ food safe – In an effort to protect the health and safety of Tennesseans, Senator Frank Nicely (R-Strawberry Plains) is sponsoring legislation to maintain safe food standards in stores. Senate Bill 2870 would prohibit the importation, sale, and distribution of cell-cultured food products in Tennessee. The legislation passed out of the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Wednesday and now awaits passage on the Senate floor.

 

TACIR report on underage smoking prevention – To gather information on underage tobacco and vape usage, Senator Becky Massey (R-Knoxville) is sponsoring legislation that would require the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to conduct a study on the effects of vaping and the use of all vapor products by those under the age of 21. The study would examine the initiation of product usage, health outcomes and access to cessation products and services. The TACIR report must submit the report to the General Assembly by January 31, 2025.  Senate Bill 2278 passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee on Wednesday and now awaits passage on the Senate floor.

 

Maintaining child and grandparent relationships: Senator Ed Jackson (R-Jackson) sponsored legislation that would help children maintain meaningful relationships with their grandparents. Senate Bill 2840 would allow judges to grant visitation to grandparents when it is in the best interest of the child. The bill passed the Senate Judiciary Committee and now moves to the Senate floor for final passage.

 

Accepting cash at school events: Legislation sponsored by Ed Jackson (R-Jackson) ensures that cash can be used as payment at public school athletic events. Senate Bill 1998 would require organizers of public school athletic events to accept cash for admission or the purchase of concessions or other items for sale at the event. The bill also prohibits organizers of these events from charging a cash price that exceeds the price if paid by credit or debit card. The bill passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday and now awaits final passage on the Senate floor. 

 

Protecting Tennessee Schools and Events Act – Protecting children in schools is one of Tennessee lawmakers’ top priorities. To continue those efforts, Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma) is sponsoring legislation that would provide metal detectors for all Tennessee schools to help protect their students from violent acts or objects. Senate Bill 2765 passed the Senate Education Committee on Wednesday and now moves to the Senate Finance, Ways and Means Committee to review the cost of the legislation.

 

Reducing size of state government — Senate Bill 2098, cosponsored by Senator Becky Massey (R-Knoxville) will merge the Department of Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities and the Commission on Aging and Disability into the Department of Disabilities and Aging. The creation of this department will enable better coordination and stronger advocacy for all Tennesseeans to live and age with as much independence as possible. The department will also help the providers in the fields that are helping make a difference in the lives of Tennessee’s vulnerable population. The bill advances to the Senate floor for final approval. 

 

Board of Osteopathic Examination Advisory Letters – Senator Brent Taylor (R-Memphis) is sponsoring legislation that will allow the Board of Osteopathic Examination to release advisory letters to physicians seeking guidance. Currently, licensing boards cannot issue these letters without explicit permission in code. Senate Bill 2590 passed out of the Senate Health and Welfare Committee and advances to the Senate floor for final approval. 

 

Legislation previously covered that passed the senate floor this week

• Senate Bill 1914 – Sponsored by Niceley, will support healthy kids in schools by allowing for a dispenser with whole milk options. 
• Senate Bill 2039 – Sponsored by Rose, codifies that hunting, fishing and conservation are the preferred methods of wildlife management in Tennessee. 
• Senate Bill 2046 – Sponsored by Stevens, will increase the safety of workers trying to make repairs around bodies of water in Tennessee. 
• Senate Bill 2070 – Sponsored by Johnson, will hold caregivers, parents or guardians accountable to protect the child from abuse by other individuals in the home.
• Senate Bill 2133 – Sponsored by Lowe, delegates regulatory oversight of intrastate commerce from the federal government to the state. 
• Senate Bill 2134 – Sponsored by Walley, establishes the Social Work Licensure Compact. 
• Senate Bill 2147 – Sponsored by Johnson, will guard the elderly and disabled adults and their families from financial exploitation. 
• Senate Bill 2175 – Sponsored by Hensley, enacts the Smart Heart Act which will help protect the health and safety of Tennessee students. 
• Senate Bill 2428 – Sponsored by Powers, will enable county fire departments to be better prepared to respond to emergencies. 
• Senate Bill 2572 – Sponsored by Taylor, ensures law enforcement can conduct routine traffic stops as part of their efforts to protect public safety.