HB2497 • 2026

Civil Emergencies

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 13; Title 14; Title 49; Title 54; Title 55; Title 58; Title 64; Title 65; Title 66; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to emergency management.

Healthcare

Active

The official status still shows this bill as active or still awaiting another formal step.

Sponsor: Gillespie, Johnson
Last action: 2026-02-05
Official status: P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.
Effective date: Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official summary does not provide specific details about the content or requirements of the studies, leaving some aspects unclear.

Emergency Preparedness for Healthcare

This bill amends Tennessee's emergency management laws to include healthcare facilities in state and local comprehensive emergency plans.

What This Bill Does

Amends existing law to require state agencies responsible for healthcare to study emergency preparedness at the direction of the governor as part of the state’s comprehensive emergency management plans.

Who It Names or Affects

State agencies involved with healthcare and emergency management
Healthcare facilities in Tennessee

Terms To Know

Comprehensive Emergency Management Plans: Plans that help states prepare for, respond to, recover from, and prevent emergencies.
State Agencies: Government departments or organizations responsible for managing specific areas like healthcare or emergency services.

Limits and Unknowns

The bill does not specify how the studies should be conducted.
It is unclear what kind of changes might come from these studies.

Bill History

2026-02-05 Tennessee General Assembly
P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.
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.
2026-02-03 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 2415
By Johnson

HOUSE BILL 2497
By Gillespie
HB2497
012526
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4;
Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 9; Title 13; Title
14; Title 49; Title 54; Title 55; Title 58; Title 64;
Title 65; Title 66; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to
emergency management.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-2-116(a), is amended by deleting
the language "public works, land use and land use planning" and substituting "public works,
healthcare facilities, land use, and land use planning".
SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.