The 114th Tennessee General Assembly has officially concluded its session for 2025, having enacted a series of significant measures designed to bolster public health, enhance disability services, and strengthen protections for children and families.
Among the most notable initiatives is the expansion of eligibility for the state’s Achieving a Better Life Experience (ABLE) program, which serves as a tax-advantaged savings option for individuals with disabilities. This new legislation raises the age limit for disability onset from 26 to 46 years, aligning Tennessee with updated federal standards. If this adjustment had not been made, the program risked losing its federal tax-advantaged status. Families are now permitted to contribute as much as $100,000 to ABLE accounts, which can be utilized for a variety of approved expenses, including housing, education, transportation, and healthcare.
In addition to the ABLE program changes, lawmakers have also approved new TennCare coverage for specific treatments related to Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS), Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome, and Kleefstra syndrome, a rare genetic disorder that affects fewer than 1,000 individuals across the United States. This coverage may encompass early intervention services, providing critical support for affected families.
The legislature has taken steps to enhance maternal and infant health by passing a bill that broadens the scope of prenatal screenings. Notably, Hepatitis C has been added to the list of routine screenings conducted during a pregnant woman’s initial medical appointment. Furthermore, additional syphilis testing will now be mandated later in pregnancy and at the time of delivery. Health officials assert that these measures could potentially prevent up to half of the congenital syphilis cases reported in Tennessee.
Another significant piece of legislation is the Fertility Treatment and Contraceptive Protection Act, which reaffirms the right to access fertility treatments, including in vitro fertilization (IVF), as well as contraceptive methods. This law clarifies that such services are permissible in Tennessee and that healthcare providers are allowed to offer them.
Attention was also directed toward student health, as lawmakers enacted a ban on the sale or distribution of foods containing the synthetic dye Red 40 in Tennessee schools, with exceptions made for special events like fundraisers. Health experts have associated this additive with various behavioral and mental health issues in children, such as hyperactivity and irritability. The intent behind this law is to foster improved focus and overall well-being for students during their school day.
The legislative changes enacted during this session
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