Tennessee Senate Bill SB1491

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 12/18/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71, Chapter 5, Part 1, relative to medical assistance.

Summary

SB1491 makes a narrow administrative change to Tennessee’s medical assistance law. The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 71-5-154(a), by changing a filing or deadline date from March 1 to February 1. The text does not add new eligibility rules, benefits, or program requirements; it simply accelerates an existing statutory date by one month. Because the bill is limited to a date change within Title 71, Chapter 5, Part 1, its practical effect is likely on the timing of applications, reports, or other administrative actions tied to medical assistance programs. The measure appears to be a technical adjustment rather than a substantive policy overhaul, and it takes effect immediately upon becoming law.

Impact

The bill amends one provision of Tennessee’s medical assistance statutes by moving a statutory deadline from March 1 to February 1 in T.C.A. § 71-5-154(a). This affects the administration of the relevant medical assistance process by requiring affected parties—likely applicants, agencies, or providers subject to the deadline—to act earlier. No other statutes are changed, and the bill does not alter eligibility, coverage, or funding rules.

Sentiment

There is little direct evidence of debate, opposition, or controversy in the available record. The bill was filed for introduction and no committee transcripts or votes are provided, which suggests the measure was treated as a routine technical or administrative amendment. Overall sentiment appears neutral to mildly supportive, with no recorded signs of significant concern.

Contention

No specific points of contention are documented in the available materials. The only potentially debatable issue is the one-month acceleration of the deadline, which could affect compliance timing for those subject to the statute. However, without committee discussion or voting history, there is no evidence of organized opposition or competing viewpoints.