Nurses, Nursing - As enacted, requires the commissioner of health to use existing resources to conduct a study of neighboring states to examine the varying levels of practice independence that may or may not be granted t, the official text

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      State f { Jennessee

                             PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 728

                                                    SENATE BILL NO. 2286

                                                  By Lamar, Bailey, Bowling

                                           Substituted for: House Bill No. 2598

                                                        By Camper, Love

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29; Title 56, Chapter 32, Part 1;
          Title 56, Chapter 7, Part 24; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, Chapter 5, relative to midwifery.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. The commissioner of health shall use existing resources to conduct a study of
other states to determine the level of independent practice provided to certified nurse midwives. The
purpose of the study is to examine the varying levels of practice independence that may or may not
be granted to certified nurse midwives in other states. The study must include an analysis of how
independent practice policies correlate to maternal health outcomes for a state, including maternal
morbidity and mortality rates; examine policies and maternal health outcome data in a
geographically diverse set of states; and include information on maternity care deserts, provider
shortages, hospital closures, recent state policy changes to expand practice autonomy, and best
practice recommendations regarding independent practice for certified nurse midwives. The
commissioner shall compile the findings of the study and any recommendations the commissioner
may have in a report and transmit the report no later than December 31, 2026, to the chief clerk of
the senate, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, and the legislative librarian. Publication
and transmission of the report may be accomplished by electronic means.

          SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
         SENATE BILL NO. 2286

PASSED:  March 26, 2026

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                                     RANDY.l~e- ..~-- I
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                                     SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

                         CAM~ SEXTON, SPEAKER
                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

f APPROVED this 341- day of t\prf I  2026

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         BILL LEE, GOVERNOR