Subcommittee advances Williams bill to target opioid-settlement dollars to crisis response and treatment

The Tennessee House Civil Justice Subcommittee on March 23 advanced House Bill 1816, sponsored by Chairman Williams, voting to send the measure to the full Judiciary Committee after adopting amendment drafting code 015790.

Chairman Williams, the bill’s sponsor, said, “This bill as amended ensures Tennessee Tennessee is using opioid settlement dollars as needed to address both addiction and the mental health crisis in our state.” He described the measure as a “targeted statewide investment in critical areas, especially mobile crisis response where timely care is essential.” Williams added the bill would allow funding for residential treatment beds in parts of the state that currently have waiting lists.

The amendment (015790) was offered, seconded and adopted by voice vote before Williams spoke. With no objections recorded during final consideration, the clerk reported 6 ayes and 0 nos; the subcommittee sent House Bill 1816, as amended, to the full Judiciary Committee for further consideration.

The sponsor did not specify dollar amounts, precise program formulas or the number of residential beds to be funded; those details were not stated on the record. Williams offered to answer members’ questions but no substantive questions were recorded in the transcript.

The bill’s next step is consideration by the full Judiciary Committee.