Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SB0553

Introduced

1/25/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 33; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 41; Title 57; Title 62 and Title 71, relative to mental health.

Impact

The implementation of SB0553 is expected to positively impact the legal treatment of individuals with mental health conditions by ensuring that legal terminology aligns with contemporary understandings of mental health. By adopting language that respects individuals' dignity, the bill aims to inform judges, lawyers, and the public about the importance of recognizing mental health issues without prejudice. This shift in terminology may encourage a cultural shift within the judicial system, potentially enhancing the treatment and representation of individuals diagnosed with mental health conditions.

Summary

Senate Bill 553 (SB0553) proposes amendments to various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically targeting the language used in relation to mental health conditions. This bill seeks to replace stigmatizing terms such as 'mental defective' with the more appropriate and respectful phrase 'person with a mental health condition.' The intent behind the amendment is to foster a more person-centered approach to mental health in legal contexts and to reduce stigma associated with mental health diagnoses. This bill includes substantial changes affecting several titles, including Title 16, Title 33, Title 39, among others, indicating a comprehensive approach to mental health laws in Tennessee.

Contention

Although the bill is presumably well-intentioned, it may face opposition or challenges in its passage, particularly from proponents of a more traditional approach to legal language. Some stakeholders may argue that the change in terminology does not address underlying issues faced by individuals with mental health conditions, such as access to care or support services. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding the clarity and implications of legal definitions and adjudications surrounding individuals with mental health conditions, particularly in determining fitness for trial or other legal capacities.

Latest TN SB0553 Activity

View All Events: TN 2023-2024 Regular Session SB0553

Companion Bills

TN HB0305

Crossfiled AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 33; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 41; Title 57; Title 62 and Title 71, relative to mental health.

Previously Filed As

TN SB1248

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to mental health.

TN HB1291

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 39; Title 49; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to mental health.

TN HB1241

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 29; Title 33; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 53; Title 56; Title 62; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to women's health.

TN SB1425

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 29; Title 33; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 53; Title 56; Title 62; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to women's health.

TN HB1737

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49 and Title 65, relative to firearms.

TN SB1851

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49 and Title 65, relative to firearms.

TN SB1004

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 9; Title 29; Title 33; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 53; Title 56; Title 62; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to abortion.

TN HB0990

TN SB2227

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 48; Title 49; Title 52; Title 53; Title 55; Title 56; Title 62; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to health.

TN HB2539

Similar Bills

TN HB2560

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 9; Title 13; Title 16; Title 39; Title 55; Title 58; Title 62; Title 65; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to emergency management.

TN SB2248

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 9; Title 13; Title 16; Title 39; Title 55; Title 58; Title 62; Title 65; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to emergency management.

TN HB1189

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 7; Title 8; Title 10; Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 50; Title 57; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 70, relative to firearms.

TN SB1227

TN HB0806

TN SB0329

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1; Title 2; Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 10; Title 11; Title 12; Title 13; Title 16; Title 20; Title 22; Title 24; Title 31; Title 33; Title 36; Title 38; Title 39; Title 40; Title 43; Title 44; Title 45; Title 47; Title 48; Title 49; Title 50; Title 53; Title 54; Title 55; Title 56; Title 61; Title 62; Title 63; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 67; Title 68; Title 69 and Title 71, relative to electronic transmissions.

TN HB0321

TN SB2585

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 8, Chapter 50; Title 33; Title 36; Title 52; Title 56; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to therapists.