Health, Dept. of

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Telehealth Prescription Study Act

This bill requires the Tennessee Department of Health to study prescription medication requirements for telehealth in neighboring states and compare them with those in Tennessee.

What This Bill Does

• Requires the commissioner of health to use existing resources to conduct a study on telehealth prescription rules in nearby states.
• The study will look at what restrictions exist for doctors who prescribe medications through telehealth.
• After completing the study, the commissioner must write a report comparing these restrictions with those in Tennessee.
• The report needs to be sent to certain people in the state government by December 31, 2026.

Who It Names or Affects

• The Department of Health
• Doctors who prescribe medications through telehealth

Terms To Know

Telehealth

Healthcare services provided using technology, like video calls or messaging.

Commissioner

The person in charge of a government department, such as the Department of Health.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not change current telehealth prescription rules.
• Only requires a study and report; no new laws are made based on this bill.

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 2580
By Harshbarger

HOUSE BILL 2131
By Crawford
HB2131
012591
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39;
Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71,
relative to telehealth.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. The commissioner of health shall conduct a study using existing resources
of the requirements to obtain prescription medications via telehealth in neighboring states. The
purpose of the study is to determine the restrictions upon prescribers issuing prescription
medications via telehealth, and compare such restrictions to those on prescribers in this state.
The commissioner shall compile the findings from the study into a report and transmit a copy of
the report to the chief clerk of the senate, the chief clerk of the house of representatives, and the
legislative librarian no later than December 31, 2026. The commissioner may publish and
transmit the report by electronic means.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.