Tennessee Senate Bill SB2281

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 11 and Chapter 985 of the Public Acts of 2024, relative to certificate of need.

Summary

SB2281 makes targeted changes to Tennessee’s certificate of need (CON) law by deleting several specific statutory provisions in Title 68, Chapter 11, and by amending a 2024 public act related to the same subject. The bill removes multiple defined terms and procedural or substantive provisions from the CON framework, and it also strikes language that specifically references mental health and substance abuse services. The overall effect is to narrow or alter parts of the existing CON regulatory structure rather than replace it wholesale. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2026. Because it amends multiple sections of the health facilities licensing and CON statutes, it would affect health care providers, facility developers, and regulators that must obtain or administer certificates of need for certain projects and services. The deletion of references to mental health and substance abuse services suggests a change in how those services are treated under the CON process. There is no recorded committee transcript or vote history in the provided materials, so the available context does not show formal debate or amendments. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears technical and regulatory, focused on revising existing law rather than creating a new program. The general sentiment cannot be directly measured from the provided discussion record, but the bill’s structure suggests a policy choice to reduce or refine certificate of need requirements. Such bills are often supported by those who favor deregulation or easier health care facility development, while opposed by parties concerned about preserving planning controls, limiting duplication of services, or protecting access in underserved areas. Notable points of contention likely center on the certificate of need system itself and the treatment of mental health and substance abuse services within that system. Stakeholders such as hospitals, behavioral health providers, state health planners, and facility developers may differ on whether these deletions improve access and competition or weaken oversight and coordinated health planning.

Impact

SB2281 would amend Tennessee’s certificate of need statutes in Title 68, Chapter 11 by deleting several defined terms and provisions, including sections governing specific CON procedures and exemptions, and by removing a reference to mental health and substance abuse services. It also amends Chapter 985 of the Public Acts of 2024, indicating the bill modifies recently enacted CON-related law. The practical impact is to change the regulatory requirements and scope of the CON process for affected health care projects and services, especially for providers subject to state approval before expanding or establishing certain facilities.

Sentiment

No committee discussion or vote record was provided, so there is no direct evidence of support or opposition from hearings or floor action. From the bill text, the measure appears to be a technical but policy-significant adjustment to Tennessee’s health care regulatory framework. Bills that narrow certificate of need requirements are commonly viewed favorably by deregulation advocates and health care developers, while drawing concern from those who support state oversight of facility expansion and service distribution.

Contention

The main points of contention are likely the broader certificate of need framework and the removal of language tied to mental health and substance abuse services. Supporters may argue the bill reduces unnecessary regulatory barriers and allows more flexible health care development, while opponents may argue it weakens planning oversight, could encourage overbuilding or uneven service distribution, and may affect access to behavioral health services. Health systems, behavioral health providers, and state regulators would be the most likely interested parties.