Committee advances revision of state personnel statutes, raises questions on sick‑leave rules

SB 1873, described by Leader Johnson as an administration bill to modernize state personnel statutes, was moved and advanced by the Senate Finance Ways and Means Committee on April 17.

Leader Johnson said the measure removes obsolete statutory provisions, gives agencies more hiring flexibility where standard procedures are impracticable, and restructures the appeals process into a two-step system with clear deadlines while preserving judicial review. The bill would also allow agencies discretion to request additional documentation for suspected abuse of sick leave and create a consistent volunteer leave policy allowing up to five paid days during a governor-declared state of emergency.

Senators asked for clarification about what constitutes a "licensed health care provider" and whether nurse practitioners and physician assistants are covered. At the committee's request, Eric Mayo, senior policy adviser for the Tennessee Department of Human Resources, testified that existing code and the bill continue to reference a "licensed health care provider, pursuant to Title 63," or an accredited Christian Science practitioner; the department said it would consult Title 63 definitions to determine whether specific categories such as nurse practitioners meet that definition in practice.

After adopting the finance amendment by voice, the committee voted and the clerk recorded 10 ayes and 1 no; the committee recommended SB 1873 as amended for passage to the committee on the calendar.

Next steps: Sponsor indicated technical follow-ups may be provided and the bill will proceed to the Senate calendar.