TennesseeTennessee directs qualifying technology claim recoveries to a children's fund
The law directs certain legal recoveries to a state fund, where lawmakers may approve spending for Tennessee minors' mental health care and suicide prevention.
What it does
The law directs qualifying legal recoveries to a state fund for children's digital protection. The attorney general and reporter decides which recoveries qualify, after costs, fees, and restitution are subtracted.
If lawmakers approve spending, the fund may support minors' mental health care, suicide prevention, and research and education about technology's effects. It may also support law enforcement and the K-12 mental health endowment.
Argument forIf lawmakers approve spending, the fund could help minors through mental health care, suicide prevention, and education about technology's effects.
Argument againstMinors may not receive support from this fund unless lawmakers approve spending, even when qualifying money has been deposited.
More detail
The law directs qualifying legal recoveries to a state fund for children's digital protection. A minor is someone under 18 who lives in Tennessee. Qualifying recoveries involve legal claims about the effects of social media, online gaming, or other digital technology on minors' mental health and well-being. The attorney general and reporter decides, at their sole discretion, whether a recovery concerns the effects of social media, online gaming, or other digital technology on minors' mental health and well-being. The state deposits the net recovery after subtracting investigation and litigation costs, attorney fees, and restitution. The law took effect upon becoming law.
The state may spend fund money on listed supports and programs for minors if the General Assembly appropriates it. Uses include mental health supports and treatment, suicide prevention, research and education about technology's effects, law enforcement resources, and deposits into the K-12 mental health endowment fund. Spending requires an appropriation by the General Assembly. The fund may also receive money from other sources. Unspent balances carry forward rather than returning to the general fund. The law took effect upon becoming law.
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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. 1114Latest
- May 27Effective date(s) 05/22/2026
- May 22Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 11Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 7Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 30Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 29Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 21Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 21Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0717)Minor
- Apr 21Passed H., Ayes 91, Nays 0, PNV 0Passed House
- Mar 9Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 9Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 6Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 5Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA0546)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/5/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0519)
- Mar 5Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 31, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Mar 5Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 5Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 3Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 11, Nays 0 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 11, Nays 0 PNV 0 3/3/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 3Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/5/2026
- Feb 27Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Feb 24Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0 2/24/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Feb 24Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
- Feb 18Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/24/2026
- Feb 17Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 2/24/2026
- Feb 11Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/17/2026
- Feb 5Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary CommitteeMinor
- Feb 2Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 22Filed for introductionIntroduced
Mental HealthTechnology