Senate Bill 2227, also known as House Bill 2539, proposes several amendments to various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated, primarily focusing on health-related regulations. Key changes include the deletion of specific subsections in Sections 68-1-144, 63-1-164(f), and 63-1-314, as well as the introduction of new definitions and reporting requirements. For instance, the bill establishes that by December 31, 2026, and annually thereafter, the Department of Health must publish a report on attempted and completed suicides in Tennessee, which must be submitted electronically to all members of the General Assembly. Additionally, it mandates the commissioner to report annually on prescribers of controlled substances, detailing disciplinary actions and data related to prescription drug abuse.

The bill also revises the definition of "palliative care" to emphasize its focus on alleviating suffering and improving quality of life for patients facing serious health conditions. Furthermore, it introduces a new section that outlines the authority of boards administratively attached to the department regarding the promulgation of rules, specifying that if a board fails to act within a designated timeframe, the commissioner will assume that authority. This ensures timely implementation of necessary regulations while allowing boards to regain their rule-making powers after fulfilling specific requirements. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 68-1-144
Amended with HA1214 -- 04/22/2026: 68-1-144, 53-10-309, 63-1-125(b)(1), 63-1-125, 63-1-125(e), 63-1-164(f), 63-1-164, 63-1-314, 68-1-120, 68-1-128(h)(4), 68-1-128, 68-1-147(a)(4), 68-1-147