TennesseeTrained Tennessee paramedics may declare death starting January 1, 2027
Starting January 1, 2027, trained Tennessee paramedics may officially declare death after attempting to revive someone, unless the apparent death occurs in a hospital.
What it does
Starting January 1, 2027, licensed paramedics may officially declare death after completing training and attempting to revive the person. This permission excludes patients whose apparent death occurs in a hospital.
Starting January 1, 2027, paramedics who declare death must keep proof of their training for board review. They may face discipline for failing to follow the required standards or rules.
Argument forAllowing trained paramedics to confirm death outside hospitals could help families receive an official determination sooner after efforts to revive someone.
Argument againstKeeping training records ready for board review could add paperwork for paramedics who choose to determine and declare death.
More detail
Licensed paramedics may determine that someone has died and officially declare the death. This permission covers Tennessee licensed paramedics. It excludes patients who are in a hospital when the apparent death occurs. The paramedic must successfully complete training and attempt to revive the person under emergency medical services board standards. The law preserves physicians' authority to direct paramedics to stop efforts to revive someone. The permission takes effect January 1, 2027.
Paramedics who determine and declare death must keep proof that they successfully completed the required course. These duties apply to paramedics who determine and officially declare death. Paramedics must make their training proof readily available when the emergency medical services board or its designated representative requests it. Paramedics may face board discipline if they fail to follow the standards or board rules for determining and declaring death. These requirements take effect January 1, 2027. The authority to make rules took effect when the law was signed on May 13, 2026.
Where do you stand?
Choose your position
Tell your reps
Take a position to see your representatives and ways to contact them.
Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 18Pub. Ch. 965Latest
- May 18Effective date(s) 05/13/2026, 01/01/2027
- 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 20Concurred, Ayes 32, Nays 0 (Amendment 1 - HA0803)Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Concur House Amendment # 1 4/20/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Apr 17Placed on Senate Message Calendar for 4/20/2026
- Apr 16Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- 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 - HA0803)Major
- Apr 16Passed H., as am., Ayes 92, Nays 2, PNV 0Passed House
- Apr 2Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 30Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0783)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/30/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 30Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 33, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Mar 30Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 30Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 27Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/30/2026
- Mar 18Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 7, Nays 1 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 7, Nays 1 PNV 0 3/18/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- 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 11Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026
- Mar 11Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
- Mar 4Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
- Mar 2Recalled from Senate Commerce & Labor Committee
- Mar 2Refer to Senate Health & Welfare Committee
- Feb 27Sponsor change.Minor
- 2025
- Feb 12Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor CommitteeMinor
- Feb 10Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationMinor
- Jan 28Filed for introductionIntroduced
Healthcare