TennesseeTennessee sorts homes for older people by resident count
Tennessee law uses the number of unrelated residents to classify homes that provide long-term housing, meals, and personal services mainly to older people.
What it does
Homes for older people fall into tier 1 if they house five or fewer unrelated residents. Homes with six or more unrelated residents fall into tier 2.
Argument forClear resident-count cutoffs could help care-home operators understand which of the two categories applies to their home.
Argument againstThe resident-count cutoff could put otherwise similar care homes in different categories, even when their residents have similar care needs.
More detail
Tennessee places homes for older people into two categories, called tiers, based on how many unrelated residents they house. The rule covers homes that offer relatively permanent housing, meals, and personal services mainly to older people and present themselves to the public as such homes. These classifications took effect on May 13, 2026, when the act became 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 18Pub. Ch. 973Latest
- May 18Effective date(s) 05/13/2026
- May 13Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 5Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 1Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 23Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 23Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 20Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Apr 20Passed H., Ayes 96, Nays 0, PNV 0Passed House
- Apr 8Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Apr 6Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 4/6/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 6Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Apr 2Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 4/6/2026
- Apr 1Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Vote recorded SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 4/1/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 4/1/2026
- Mar 18Reset on Final calendar of Senate Health and Welfare Committee
- 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 2Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 22Filed for introductionIntroduced
Healthcare