Welfare

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material did not provide specific details on funding, staffing, or training requirements for adult day services programs.

Changes to Adult Day Services in Tennessee

This bill amends the rules for limited respite care services programs that provide adult day services by increasing the number of hours an adult can attend and the number of adults a program can serve at once, while maintaining existing staff-to-participant ratios.

What This Bill Does

• Increases the number of hours an adult may attend such a program from 12 to 16 hours per week.
• Allows these programs to provide care services for up to 20 adults at the same time instead of 15.
• Requires that these programs maintain records detailing each person's attendance dates and times.

Who It Names or Affects

• Adults who need care but can function in a group setting without constant help.
• Caregivers seeking temporary relief from their duties.
• Religious institutions or organizations running such programs.

Terms To Know

Limited respite care services

Programs that provide temporary relief for caregivers and support for adults who need help with daily activities but can still function in a group setting.

Direct-care staff-to-participant ratio

The number of staff members needed to take care of each person using the service, which must be kept at a certain level to ensure proper care.

Limits and Unknowns

• Does not specify how these changes will affect funding or staffing for adult day services.
• It is unclear if there are any new requirements for training staff members in these programs.

Official Summary Text

ON APRIL 2, 2026, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1581 FOR HOUSE BILL 1495, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1581, AS AMENDED.

AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, amend the definition of "limited respite care services program" as such term is used to describe a program providing adult day services. Present law provides that a limited respite care services program is exe
mpt from licensure. Present law provides that a limited respite care services program means a program with a sole purpose to provide primary care givers of appropriate adults with relief from normal caregiving duties and responsibilities and meets all of
t
he following criteria:



The program is operated by a religious institution or religious organization that provides custodial care for aging adults with limitations on activities of daily living (i) who can function in a group setting; (ii) who can feed and perform toilet functions without the assistance of a personal aide accompanying them; and (iii) who attend no more than three days each calendar week, no more than 12 hours in any one week, and no more than six hours in any one day.


The program is registered with the department of human services pursuant to a rule promulgated by the commissioner.


The program maintains records that include, at a minimum, dates and times of each adult's attendance.


The program provides care services for less than 15 adults at the same time.


The program does not administer medications to adults while under the program's care.

This amendment increases the number of hours an adult may attend such a limited respite care services program from 12 to 16 hours in any one week. Further, a program may provide care services for up to 20 adults at the same time, rather than 15, and sti
ll qualify as a limited respite care services program. However, a limited respite care services program must maintain at least the same direct-care staff-to-participant ratio required for licensed adult day services centers as provided by rule.

ON APRIL 6, 2026, SENATE CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENT #1.

Current Bill Text

HOUSE BILL 1495
By Slater

SENATE BILL 1581
By Haile
SB1581
010456
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71,
Chapter 2, relative to adult day services.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 71-2-402(c)(2)(A)(iii), is amended by
deleting "twelve (12)" and substituting "sixteen (16)".
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 71-2-402(c)(2)(D), is amended by
deleting "fifteen (15)" and substituting "twenty (20)".
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.