The 114th General Assembly has officially concluded its session for 2025, with Senator Joey Hensley, MD, expressing satisfaction over the accomplishments achieved during the year. This legislative period was marked by a focus on enhancing public health, advocating for pro-life initiatives, providing support for caregivers, and ensuring protections for vulnerable groups within the state.
Among the significant actions taken by lawmakers is the introduction of a new law aimed at curbing the illegal distribution of abortion-inducing medications, specifically mifepristone and misoprostol. This legislation permits the filing of wrongful death lawsuits in cases where these drugs are unlawfully distributed, holding individuals accountable for the death of an unborn child at any stage of development. While this law reinforces Tennessee’s existing pro-life framework, it does not restrict the legal use of these medications. The Senate has already passed the bill, which is now pending consideration in the House.
In a further effort to uphold pro-life principles while safeguarding maternal health, the General Assembly has enacted legislation that clarifies the actions physicians can take in response to serious pregnancy-related emergencies. This new measure empowers doctors to make prompt decisions in life-threatening situations without the fear of legal consequences. It specifies certain medical conditions, including preterm membrane rupture, severe preeclampsia, and mirror syndrome, that warrant emergency intervention. However, the law does not include mental health diagnoses and emphasizes that all medical care must be grounded in sound medical judgment.
Additionally, lawmakers have approved a bill mandating that public and charter high schools in Tennessee educate students about the Safe Haven Law. This law allows parents to surrender newborns safely and legally at designated facilities. Furthermore, the Safe Haven Law has been expanded to extend the surrender period from 14 days to 45 days following birth. Since its inception in 2001, the law has facilitated the safe surrender of over 130 newborns.
Another noteworthy initiative is the Caring for Caregivers Act, which establishes a pilot grant program designed to assist Tennesseans who are caring for family members suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. This three-year program will provide eligible caregivers with grants of up to $6,000 to help offset lost wages and related expenses. The initiative draws inspiration from similar programs implemented in states such as Georgia and South Carolina.
In a bid to enhance elder care services, lawmakers have also approved the expansion of the TennCare PACE program (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly). This legislation paves the way for the establishment of a PACE program in one of the