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PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 779
SENATE BILL NO. 579
By Akbari, Yarbro, Campbell, Lamar, Oliver
Substituted for: House Bill No. 427
By Love, Powell, Pearson,. Harris, Parkinson, Camper, Salinas, Hakeem, Clemmons
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 50; Title 56 and Title 68, relative
to living organ donation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8, Chapter 50, Part 8, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:
(a) In addition to leave granted under §§ 8-50-801, 8-50-802, 8-50-806, and 8-50-
813, an eligible employee must be granted absence from work for a period of time equal to
four (4) weeks for recovery from surgery related to a living organ donation. If the eligible
employee learns of the surgery date for the living organ donation less than thirty (30) days in
advance, then the employee shall give notice as soon as reasonably possible. For the
purpose of calculating service anniversary dates, this absence from work is considered full-
time employment.
(b) As used in this section:
(1) "Eligible employee" means:
(A) An employee who has been employed full-time with the state for at
least twelve (12) consecutive months with an entity described in §§ 8-30-
102(a), 8-30-102(b)(2), 8-30-102(b)(6)-(7), and 8-30-102(b)(10)-(13); or
(8) An employee who has been employed full-time with the state for at
least twelve (12) consecutive months with an entity described in § 8-30-
102(b)(9), except for an employee of any administrative board or commission
that is attached to an entity described in§ 8-30-102(b)(1) or§ 8-30-102(b)(3)-
(5); and
(2) "Living organ donor" means an individual who has donated all or part of an
organ and is not deceased.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 50, Chapter 1, Part 3, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:
(a) An employer shall grant an eligible employee an absence from work for a period
of time equal to four (4) weeks for recovery from surgery related to a living organ donation. If
the eligible employee learns of the surgery date for the living organ donation less than thirty
(30) days in advance, then the employee shall give notice as soon as reasonably possible.
(b) As used in this section:
(1) "Eligible employee" has the same meaning as defined in Section 1 (b)(1 );
(2) "Employer" means the employer of an eligible employee; and
SB579
(3) "Living organ donation" means a medical procedure by which an individual
donates all or part of an organ and is not deceased.
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 1, Part 1, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:
(a) The department of health in consultation with the department of commerce and
insurance shall produce informational material on living organ donation to educate the public
on the:
(1) Benefits and risks of living organ donation; and
(2) Impact of living organ donation on the access of a living organ donor to
insurance.
(b) By July 1, 2026, the department of health shall make available on the
department's website the informational material on living organ donation described in
subsection (a).
SECTION 4. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
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SENATE BILL NO. 579
PASSED: April 8, 2026
RANDY McN4-LY
SPEAKER OF THE SEIATE
c.
CAMERO""9EXTON,SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
~ APPROVED this day of /)..pc,' I 2026
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BILL LEE, GOVERNOREvery fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.