TennesseeTennessee fertility clinics must get certificates to offer ART services
Starting January 1, 2027, Tennessee fertility clinics must get a state certificate, meet director qualifications, and follow professional guidance for related genetic testing.
What it does
Fertility clinics must get a state certificate to provide assisted reproductive technology services. Every two years, they must submit membership, emergency planning, and lab inspection records.
Each fertility clinic's clinical director must hold a medical license, meet specialty training and experience requirements, and continue relevant medical education.
Fertility clinics must follow current professional guidance when providing genetic testing with assisted reproductive technology. The law does not require any one specific guideline.
Argument forPatients may have more confidence in clinics that document lab inspections and follow professional guidance for genetic testing.
Argument againstClinics may need to spend time gathering membership, emergency plan, and inspection records every two years to receive a certificate.
More detail
Fertility clinics must obtain a state certificate to provide assisted reproductive technology services. A fertility clinic includes a location that runs an embryo lab, provides assisted reproductive technology, or stores embryos. Every two years, clinics must submit proof of membership in SART or an equivalent organization approved by the Department of Health, an emergency plan for moving embryos if the clinic permanently closes, and proof of passing the latest lab inspection by an approved accrediting organization. The certification requirement takes effect January 1, 2027. Clinics must submit the listed materials every two years.
A clinic's clinical director must meet specified medical, training, experience, and continuing education requirements. These qualifications apply to the clinical director of a fertility clinic operating in Tennessee. The director must hold a Tennessee medical or osteopathic license, be board certified in obstetrics and gynecology, complete an accredited reproductive endocrinology and infertility fellowship or have equivalent training and experience, and keep up relevant continuing education. The requirements take effect January 1, 2027.
Fertility clinics must follow current professional guidance for genetic testing provided with assisted reproductive technology. The requirement covers genetic testing services connected with assisted reproductive technology at fertility clinics. The law does not require following any one specific guideline, create a right to sue, set a legal standard of care, or provide a basis for liability. This requirement takes effect January 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 27Pub. Ch. 1139Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026, 01/01/2027
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- May 6Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- May 5Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 23Placed on Senate Message Calendar 2 for 4/23/2026
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 2 4/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 23Concurred, Ayes 28, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0802)Major
- Apr 23Concurred, Ayes 28, Nays 0 (Amendment 2 - HA1110)Major
- Apr 20Senate Reset on Final Message Calendar
- Apr 17Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/20/2026
- Apr 16Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR MOTION TO ADOPT AMENDMENT # 2 BY CLEMMONS PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/16/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/16/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 16H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0802)Major
- Apr 16H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA1110)Major
- Apr 16Passed H., as am., Ayes 75, Nays 5, PNV 15Passed House
- Apr 8Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Apr 6Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0785)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/6/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 6Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0784)
- Apr 6Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 32, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Apr 6Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Apr 6Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 2Senate Reset on calendar for 4/6/2026
- Apr 2Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/6/2026
- Mar 31Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/2/2026
- Mar 18Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0 3/18/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 18Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 17Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026
- Mar 17Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/18/2026
- Mar 11Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
- Feb 5Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare CommitteeMinor
- Feb 2Filed for introductionMinor
- Feb 2Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationIntroduced
Healthcare