House Health Committee roundup: key bills advanced March 17, 2026

The Tennessee House Health Committee handled a full calendar on March 17, advancing a range of health and professional regulation measures.

Notable votes and outcomes: Senate Joint Resolution 592 (designating March 12 as a suicide‑prevention awareness day) passed unanimously and moved to Calendar & Rules; HB 1770 (medical professions and medical‑necessity clarity), HB 1984 (buprenorphine administration), HB 2021 (podiatry scope), HB 1954 (technical correction), HB 2145 (respiratory care compact), HB 2598 (midwife study), HB 2029 (dietitian code update), HB 2358 (TANF unobligated funds for Smart Steps), HB 2351 (nursing student CAS pathway), HB 2092 (CMT outreach hotline), HB 1694 (K‑9 EMS stabilization), and HB 1952 (optometry laser procedures) all passed the committee and were referred or moved as recorded in committee. Several bills (including HB 2459, HB 2136 and HB 1040) were rolled to later calendars.

Where more extensive committee debate occurred, separate articles report on methadone access (HB 2100), the early‑childhood mental‑health pilot (HB 2313), a statutory fix on next‑of‑kin for autopsy appeals (HB 1807), and HB 2075 regarding state participation in an FDA‑regulated clinical‑trial consortium. The committee adjourned after rolling remaining items to next week.