Senate Bill 1256, also known as House Bill 1260, aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning the importation of prescription drugs from Canada. The bill mandates that by January 1, 2026, the Department of Finance and Administration, in collaboration with the Department of Health and the Division of TennCare, must submit a request to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services for approval to import safe and effective prescription drugs. The request must include several key components, such as demonstrating compliance with federal and state safety standards, providing a list of proposed drugs with potential cost savings, and identifying compliant Canadian suppliers.

Upon receiving federal approval, the Department of Finance and Administration is required to notify state leadership and submit a proposal within six months to implement a drug importation program. Additionally, the department is authorized to create rules to facilitate this process in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. The bill emphasizes the importance of ensuring that imported drugs meet all relevant safety and regulatory standards while aiming to reduce costs for the state.