Vital Records - As enacted, enacts "April's Law of 2026," which authorizes a surviving parent, in addition to another next of kin, to formally disagree with the county medical examiner's determination that the manner of
Introduced
Moved
Reached a final decision
Became law
Derived from the official record below.
Officially: “AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38 and Title 68, relative to death certificates.” Read the full text
114th general assembly (2025-2026)
What it does
Vital Records - As enacted, enacts "April's Law of 2026," which authorizes a surviving parent, in addition to another next of kin, to formally disagree with the county medical examiner's determination that the manner of death for the parent's child was suicide and request reconsideration from the state chief medical examiner; allows the other parent of a child of the decedent to request a copy of the decedent's death certificate if the child is under 18. - Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 68. SB159
From the official legislative record, shown verbatim. Not legal advice.
Where it is
Show all 35 actions
Filed for introduction · Jan 21, 2026
House
Intro., P1C. · Jan 22, 2026
House
P2C, ref. to Health Committee · Feb 2, 2026
House
Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee · Feb 2, 2026
House
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/4/2026 · Feb 25, 2026
House
Action Def. in s/c Health Subcommittee to 3/11/2026 · Mar 4, 2026
House
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/11/2026 · Mar 4, 2026
House
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Health Committee · Mar 11, 2026
House
Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/17/2026 · Mar 11, 2026
House
Sponsor(s) Added. · Mar 12, 2026
House
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee · Mar 17, 2026
House
Sponsor(s) Added. · Mar 18, 2026
House
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/19/2026 · Mar 18, 2026
House
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/23/2026 · Mar 19, 2026
House
Comp. SB subst. · Mar 23, 2026
House
Sponsor(s) Added. · Mar 23, 2026
House
Comp. became Pub. Ch. 666 · Apr 27, 2026
Senate
Filed for introduction · Jan 12, 2026
Senate
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration · Jan 13, 2026
Senate
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee · Jan 14, 2026
Senate
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/17/2026 · Feb 11, 2026
Senate
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee · Feb 17, 2026
Senate
Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 2/23/2026 · Feb 20, 2026
Senate
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0500) · Feb 23, 2026
Senate
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 1, PNV 1 · Feb 23, 2026
Senate
Engrossed; ready for transmission to House · Feb 23, 2026
Senate
Sponsor(s) Added. · Feb 24, 2026
Senate
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk. · Feb 26, 2026
House
Subst. for comp. HB. · Mar 23, 2026
House
Passed H., Ayes 87, Nays 0, PNV 0 · Mar 23, 2026
House
Enrolled and ready for signatures · Mar 24, 2026
Senate
Signed by Senate Speaker · Mar 25, 2026
Senate
Signed by H. Speaker · Mar 26, 2026
House
Transmitted to Governor for action. · Mar 27, 2026
Senate
Signed by Governor. · Apr 7, 2026
Senate
The numbers
2
sponsors on the bill
Sponsors
Recorded votes
REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATIONHouse · 2026-03-23 · Passed · Ayes 87, Noes 0
as Amended Third ConsiderationSenate · 2026-02-23 · Passed · Ayes 30, Noes 1, Present and not voting 1
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar CommitteeSenate · 2026-02-17 · Passed · Ayes 8, Noes 1
Roll-call results shown verbatim from the Tennessee legislature’s records. A result reflects that roll call’s own motion, not the bill’s overall outcome.
Every fact on this page links to its source, starting with the official bill record. Last action: Signed by Governor. (Apr 7, 2026).