House Bill 2278, also known as Senate Bill 2414, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to public health. A significant addition is made to Section 68-1-106, requiring the Department of Health to report annually by February 1 to the relevant legislative committees on the benefits and grants received by the state. Additionally, Section 68-11-1303 is amended to include new provisions regarding certificates of public advantage, which will automatically expire on June 30, 2028. Pricing restrictions associated with these certificates will remain in effect until either five years after expiration or until a new inpatient acute care hospital opens in the area.

Furthermore, the bill stipulates that after the expiration of a certificate, pricing restrictions will be supervised by the attorney general and may only be modified through mutual agreement. It also clarifies that an acute care hospital in the same geographic area as an expired certificate is not required to obtain a certificate of need, thereby streamlining the process for new hospitals. The language in Section 68-11-1607(a) is modified to reflect this change, ensuring compliance with the new provisions. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law, with the public welfare requiring it.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-1-106
Amended with SA0777 -- 03/26/2026: 68-1-106, 68-11-1303
Amended with SA0777, HA0936 -- 04/16/2026: 68-1-106, 68-11-1303, 68-11-1607(a), 68-11-1607