HB2249 • 2026

Immigration

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 33; Title 38; Title 52; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to the bureau of immigration and customs enforcement.

Healthcare

Did Not Pass

The latest official action shows that this bill did not move forward in that session.

Sponsor: Johnson, Kyle
Last action: 2026-03-17
Official status: Failed in s/c Departments & Agencies Subcommittee of State & Local Government Committee
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

Checked against official source text during the last sync.

Law to Stop ICE Actions at Healthcare Places

This bill stops the Bureau of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) from entering healthcare facilities, physician's offices, and shelters in Tennessee.

What This Bill Does

Makes it illegal for ICE to enter or conduct law enforcement activities in healthcare facilities, which include hospitals and mental health institutions.
Prohibits ICE from going into or conducting work at shelters where people experiencing homelessness or those who have experienced domestic violence stay temporarily.
Defines what a healthcare facility is, including hospitals and mental health institutions.
Specifies that a physician means someone licensed to practice medicine in Tennessee.

Who It Names or Affects

People seeking medical care in Tennessee
Individuals staying at shelters for the homeless or those who have experienced domestic violence
ICE agents

Terms To Know

Healthcare facility: A place that provides medical care, including hospitals and mental health institutions.
Physician: Someone licensed to practice medicine in Tennessee.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify what happens if ICE violates this law.
It is unclear how this law will be enforced or monitored.
This bill did not pass and has no effective date.

Bill History

2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate State and Local Government Committee
2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly
Failed in s/c Departments & Agencies Subcommittee of State & Local Government Committee
2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly
Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/24/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on s/c cal Departments & Agencies Subcommittee for 3/17/2026
2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly
Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
2026-03-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Sponsor(s) Added.
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Assigned to s/c Departments & Agencies Subcommittee
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
P2C, ref. to State & Local Government Committee
2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee
2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly
Intro., P1C.
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly
Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text

SENATE BILL 2497
By Kyle

HOUSE BILL 2249
By Johnson
HB2249
011893
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4;
Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 33; Title 38; Title 52;
Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to the
bureau of immigration and customs enforcement.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38, Chapter 3, Part 1, is amended by
adding the following as a new section:
(a) As used in this section:
(1) "Healthcare facility":
(A) Means an institution, place, building, or agency represented
and held out to the general public as ready, willing, and able to furnish
care, accommodations, facilities, and equipment for the use, in
connection with the services of a physician or dentist, of one (1) or more
nonrelated persons who may be suffering from deformity, injury, or
disease or from any other condition for which nursing, medical, or surgical
services would be appropriate for care, diagnosis, or treatment; and
(B) Does include a hospital or institution, operated by the
department of mental health and substance abuse services or the
department of disability and aging, specifically intended for use in the
diagnosis, care, and treatment of those suffering from mental illness,
intellectual disabilities, convulsive disorders, or other abnormal mental
conditions;
(2) "Physician" means a person licensed to practice medicine pursuant to
title 63, chapter 6, or osteopathic medicine pursuant to title 63, chapter 9; and

- 2 - 011893

(3) "Shelter" includes:
(A) A public or private nonprofit facility that provides temporary
housing and related services to persons experiencing homelessness; and
(B) A public or private nonprofit facility that provides temporary
housing and related services to persons who have experienced domestic
violence.
(b) The bureau of immigration and customs enforcement of the United States
department of homeland security is prohibited from entering into and conducting law
enforcement activities in a healthcare facility, physician's office, or a shelter located in
this state.
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.