Shown verbatim: the complete text as captured from the official PDF posted by the Tennessee General Assembly, fetched 2026-09-25. Page and line markers are part of the official record; nothing is edited or removed. This is the chaptered version. The official bill page.
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PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 800
SENATE BILL NO. 2153
By Walley, Massey
Substituted for: House Bill No. 2313
By Hawk, Russell, Pearson, Eldridge, Salinas, Reedy, Hardaway
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33 and Title 68, Chapter 1, relative to early
childhood mental health programs.
WHEREAS, the State of Tennessee recognizes the critical importance of early childhood
mental health and family stability in fostering healthy, resilient communities; and
WHEREAS, young children exposed to adverse experiences, such as poverty, trauma, or
parental mental health challenges, face increased risks of developmental delays, behavioral issues,
and long-term health disparities; and
WHEREAS, evidence-based, home-based interventions that provide therapeutic support and
care coordination can significantly improve mental health and developmental outcomes for young
children while strengthening family resilience; and
WHEREAS, establishing a state program to deliver such interventions will expand access to
critical services for Tennessee's most vulnerable families and complement existing initiatives; and
WHEREAS, the General Assembly seeks to partner with qualified providers, such as
nonprofit mental health organizations, to implement this program efficiently and sustainably; now,
therefore,
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 1, is amended by adding the
following as a new part:
68-1-2101. Early childhood mental health home visiting program established -
Purpose.
(a) The department of health, in collaboration with the department of mental health
and substance abuse services, is authorized to establish and administer an early childhood
mental health home visiting program as a voluntary, evidence-based, and home-based
intervention to promote the mental health, developmental progress, and family stability of
children from birth to five (5) years of age and their families.
(b) The purpose of the program is to provide intensive, home-based services to
families with young children facing significant stressors,. including, but not limited to, poverty,
trauma, domestic violence, or parental mental health or substance abuse challenges. The
program must aim to:
(1) Improve child mental health and developmental outcomes;
(2) Reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect;
(3) Enhance parental capacity to support child development;
(4) Strengthen family stability through coordinated access to community
resources; and
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(5) Promote school readiness and long-term health equity.
68-1-2102. Program components.
An early childhood mental health home visiting program developed under this part
must include, but is not limited to:
(1) Home-based parent-child psychotherapy delivered by licensed clinicians
trained in evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions;
(2) Care coordination to connect families with medical, educational, housing,
and social services;
(3) Developmental and mental health assessments for children; and
(4) Fidelity monitoring to ensure adherence to evidence-based standards
established by the department of health.
68-1-2103. Program eligibility.
The department of health shall prioritize for eligibility families with children from birth
to five (5) years of age who are at risk due to socioeconomic, environmental, or behavioral
health challenges, as determined by the department of health in consultation with the
department of mental health and substance abuse services.
68-1-2104. Program implementation.
(a) The department of health may contract with qualified nonprofit organizations,
community mental health providers, or other entities to deliver program services.
(b) Providers shall employ or contract with licensed clinicians and care coordinators
who are trained in the program's evidence-based model, as approved by the department of
health.
(c) The department of health shall establish guidelines for provider qualifications,
training, and program evaluation to ensure fidelity to the program's evidence-based
standards.
68-1-2105. Funding.
(a) The department of health and the department of mental health and substance
abuse services may seek and accept federal funds, state appropriations, grants, and private
donations to support the early childhood mental health home visiting program.
(b) The program may be funded, in whole or in part, through TennCare, subject to
agreements with managed care organizations for reimbursement of medically necessary
services.
(c) To supplement funding of a program implemented pursuant to this part, the
department of health shall explore partnerships with philanthropic organizations and other
community stakeholders.
68-1-2106. Coordination with existing programs.
An early childhood mental health home visiting program implemented pursuant to this
part must coordinate with existing state initiatives to maximize resources and avoid the
duplication of services. •
68-1-2107~ Annual report.
(a) No later than January 15 following any calendar year during which an early
childhood mental health home visiting program is implemented pursuant to this part, the
department ;of health, in collaboration with the department of mental health and substance
abuse services, shall submit a report to the general assembly detailing:
(1) The number of families served by the program;
(2) Program outcomes, including improvements in child mental health, family
stability, and service coordination;
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(3) Funding sources and expenditures; and
(4) Recommendations for program expansion or improvement.
(b) The annual report must be submitted to the chief clerk of the senate, the chief
clerk of the house of representatives, and the legislative librarian. Publication and delivery of
the report may be accomplished by electronic means.
68-1-2108. Rulemaking.
The department of health, in consultation with the department of mental health and
substance abuse services, is authorized to promulgate rules to implement this part. Any such
rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act,
compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
SECTION 2. The headings in this act are for reference purposes only and do not constitute a
part of the law enacted by this act. However, the Tennessee Code Commission is requested to
include the headings in any compilation or publication containing this act.
SECTION 3. For the purpose of rule promulgation, this act takes effect upon becoming a law,
the public welfare requiring it. For all other purposes, this act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public
welfare requiring it.
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SENATE BILL NO. 2153
PASSED: April 2, 2026
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SPEAKER OF THE SENATE
CAMERON~TON,SPEAKER
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
d/ J1pr1'\ APPROVED this ~I- day of 2026
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BILL LEE, GOVERNOREvery fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record.