TennesseeTennessee veterans' homes may offer care beyond skilled nursing
Tennessee state veterans' homes may receive payment for care and support beyond skilled nursing when state or federal law authorizes those services.
What it does
Tennessee state veterans' homes may offer care and support beyond skilled nursing for honorably discharged veterans. They may receive payment for services authorized by state or federal law.
Those overseeing state veterans' homes can choose locations and arrange service contracts. They must favor public land, and certain real estate contracts require commission and board approval.
Argument forAllowing homes to provide and receive payment for other authorized services could help them offer veterans care beyond skilled nursing.
Argument againstBecause other services are optional, veterans could find different care options depending on which state veterans' home they use.
More detail
Tennessee state veterans' homes may provide other care and support services and receive payment for them. These services are for honorably discharged veterans who served in the United States armed forces. State or federal law must authorize the services. Homes may choose whether to offer these services. The law took effect on May 13, 2026, upon becoming law.
The law allows those overseeing state veterans' homes to choose locations and service types and make contracts for operations and services. These powers cover Tennessee state veterans' homes, facilities, and services. Site selection must favor publicly owned land. Land may be purchased only when suitable publicly owned land is unavailable. Real estate acquisition and improvement contracts covered by Section 4-15-102 require advance approval from the state building commission and approval from the board.
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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. 968Latest
- 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 2Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 30Passed Senate, Ayes 33, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt 3/30/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 30Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 30Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 27Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 3/30/2026
- Mar 25Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/25/2026
- Vote recorded SENATE STATE & LOCAL GOVERNMENT COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee 3/25/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 25Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
- Mar 24Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/25/2026
- Mar 24Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/25/2026
- Mar 18Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
- Mar 17Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/24/2026
- Mar 11Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
- Jan 15Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government CommitteeMinor
- Jan 14Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 13Filed for introductionIntroduced
VeteransHealthcare