AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to speech therapy.
Summary
SB 231 does not itself create the speech therapy insurance coverage requirements referenced in its caption. Instead, it directs the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR) to study the feasibility and potential effects of enacting those proposed insurance coverage requirements, as originally filed for the 114th General Assembly. TACIR must produce a report with findings and recommendations and deliver it to legislative officials and the legislative librarian by July 31, 2026.
In practical terms, the bill is a study resolution with no immediate substantive change to insurance coverage or licensing law. It amends no operative provisions of the Tennessee Code in this enacted version, but it does place speech therapy coverage, insurance mandates, and related policy questions under formal legislative review. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
Impact
The bill’s direct legal effect is limited to requiring a state study rather than changing coverage rules in Titles 8, 56, 63, 68, or 71. It creates a legislative research obligation for TACIR and may inform future legislation on insurance coverage for speech therapy services, but it does not itself mandate coverage, alter provider licensing, or change insurer obligations.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad support in the legislature. It passed the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee unanimously 9-0, passed the Senate floor 32-0 on third consideration, and later passed regular calendar passage in the House 85-4. Those votes suggest generally favorable sentiment toward studying the issue, even if the underlying policy proposal was not enacted in this bill.
Contention
There is little visible contention in the available record, likely because the enacted measure is only a study. Any disagreement would have centered on the broader, originally filed insurance coverage requirements for speech therapy rather than the study itself. The narrow vote against final passage in the House indicates some opposition or reservations, but the record provided does not identify specific arguments or opponents.
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.
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.