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SB1613 • 2026

Veterans

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58, Chapter 7, relative to state veterans' homes.

Healthcare
Active

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

Sponsor
Jackson, Boyd
Last action
2026-04-02
Official status
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
Effective date
Not listed

Plain English Breakdown

The official source material does not provide specific details on which other types of services can be offered by state veterans' homes beyond skilled nursing care.

Expanding Services at Tennessee State Veterans' Homes

This bill allows Tennessee's state veterans' homes to provide additional types of support and care for honorably discharged veterans beyond skilled nursing services.

What This Bill Does

  • Changes the law so that state veterans' homes can offer other types of support and care besides skilled nursing services.
  • Allows state veterans' homes to get paid for providing extra services to honorably discharged veterans.
  • Updates the language in the law to include other services when talking about the goals and purposes of state veterans' homes.

Who It Names or Affects

  • Honorably discharged veterans who use Tennessee's state veterans' homes
  • State veterans' homes that provide care and support

Terms To Know

skilled nursing services
Medical care provided by trained nurses for people who need help with daily activities.
per diem payments
Money given each day to cover the cost of living or providing services.

Limits and Unknowns

  • The exact financial impact on state veterans' homes cannot be known until contracts are made and services start being provided.
  • This bill does not specify which other types of services can be offered beyond skilled nursing care.

Bill History

  1. 2026-04-08 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026

  2. 2026-04-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

  3. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

  4. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Sponsor(s) Added.

  5. 2026-03-30 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed Senate, Ayes 33, Nays 0

  6. 2026-03-27 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 3/30/2026

  7. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

  8. 2026-03-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/25/2026

  9. 2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/25/2026

  10. 2026-03-24 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/25/2026

  11. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/24/2026

  12. 2026-03-18 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed behind the budget

  13. 2026-03-17 Tennessee General Assembly

    Action deferred in Senate State and Local Government Committee to 3/24/2026

  14. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on Senate State and Local Government Committee calendar for 3/17/2026

  15. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 3/18/2026

  16. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee

  17. 2026-03-11 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee

  18. 2026-03-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on cal. State & Local Government Committee for 3/11/2026

  19. 2026-03-03 Tennessee General Assembly

    Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to State & Local Government Committee

  20. 2026-02-25 Tennessee General Assembly

    Placed on s/c cal Departments & Agencies Subcommittee for 3/3/2026

  21. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    Assigned to s/c Departments & Agencies Subcommittee

  22. 2026-02-04 Tennessee General Assembly

    P2C, ref. to State & Local Government Committee

  23. 2026-02-02 Tennessee General Assembly

    Intro., P1C.

  24. 2026-01-22 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

  25. 2026-01-15 Tennessee General Assembly

    Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate State and Local Government Committee

  26. 2026-01-14 Tennessee General Assembly

    Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  27. 2026-01-13 Tennessee General Assembly

    Filed for introduction

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

Read the full stored bill text 
HOUSE BILL 1914
By Boyd

SENATE BILL 1613
By Jackson
SB1613
009722
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 58,
Chapter 7, relative to state veterans' homes.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-7-101, is amended by deleting
subsection (d) and substituting instead:
(d) Each state veterans' home established pursuant to this chapter must be
eligible for and receive the veterans' administration per diem payments available to
qualified residents in accordance with applicable federal regulations.
(e) In addition to providing skilled nursing services, each state veterans' home
may provide and receive payment for other services for the support and care of
honorably discharged veterans who served in the United States armed forces as
authorized by state or federal law.
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-7-103(c)(1), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting instead:
(1) The authority to determine the location and type of the Tennessee state
veterans' homes, facilities, and services. In selecting the sites, preference must be
given to publicly owned land. Land for the sites may be purchased only if suitable
publicly owned land is not available;
SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-7-103(c)(8), is amended by
deleting the subdivision.
SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-7-104(b)(3), is amended by
deleting the subdivision and substituting instead:

- 2 - 009722

(3) The authority to make and execute contracts and all other instruments
necessary or convenient for the exercise of its powers and functions under this chapter,
including contracts for the operation of the state veterans' homes and the provision of
services. All contracts that pertain to the acquisition and improvement of real property
pursuant to § 4-15-102 must be approved in advance by the state building commission
and must be approved by the board.
SECTION 5. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 58-7-108, is amended by deleting the
language "and to further the objectives and purposes of the state veterans' homes" and
substituting instead "and to further the objectives and purposes of the state veterans' homes
and other services".
SECTION 6. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.