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HB1944 • 2026
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 5, relative to sickle cell.
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Abstract summarizes the bill.
Effective date(s) 04/21/2026
Pub. Ch. 773
Comp. became Pub. Ch. 773
Signed by Governor.
Transmitted to Governor for his action.
Signed by Senate Speaker
Signed by H. Speaker
Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
Sponsor(s) Added.
Companion House Bill substituted
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 4/6/2026
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
Sponsor(s) Added.
Passed H., Ayes 77, Nays 9, PNV 0
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/30/2026
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 4/1/2026
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/24/2026
Reset on Final calendar of Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Action def. in Health Committee to 3/24/2026
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/18/2026
Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026
Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/17/2026
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Health Committee
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
Action Def. in s/c Health Subcommittee to 3/11/2026
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
Action Def. in s/c Health Subcommittee to 3/4/2026
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 2/18/2026
Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee
P2C, ref. to Health Committee
Intro., P1C.
Filed for introduction
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Filed for introduction
Abstract summarizes the bill.
SENATE BILL 1697 By Akbari HOUSE BILL 1944 By Love HB1944 010763 - 1 - AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 5, relative to sickle cell. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE: SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-5-504, is amended by adding the following as a new subsection: (d) (1) The department shall test for the presence of sickle cell trait in each newborn born on or after the effective date of this act. (2) If the test results are positive for sickle cell trait, then the department shall notify the parent or legal guardian of the newborn tested as soon as practicable. SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.