Tennessee House Bill HB2145

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26
• Refer: 2/5/26
• Refer: 2/18/26
• Refer: 3/17/26
• Refer: 3/23/26
• Refer: 4/15/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 63, relative to respiratory therapy.

Impact

The enactment of HB 2145 will significantly impact the regulatory framework for respiratory therapy in Tennessee by allowing licensed professionals to cross state lines to practice more easily. It will preserve the authority of the individual states to regulate respiratory care while fostering cooperation between member states. This compact aims to improve patient outcomes by increasing access to qualified respiratory therapists, a benefit particularly vital in rural and underserved areas.

Summary

House Bill 2145 aims to amend Tennessee law by adopting the Respiratory Care Interstate Compact. This compact allows respiratory therapists licensed in one member state to practice in other member states without needing additional licenses, promoting greater accessibility to respiratory therapy services. The underlying goal of the bill is to streamline licensure processes and enhance the mobility of healthcare professionals, particularly in response to workforce shortages and the needs of relocating military members and their spouses.

Contention

While the bill has support for enhancing workforce mobility and patient access to care, there could be concerns regarding maintaining standards of care and regulation consistency across states. Detractors may argue that a compact could undermine state-level regulatory authority and introduce complexities in enforcement and compliance issues. Balancing the need for more accessible healthcare services against the necessity for stringent local oversight remains a contentious point.