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SB1697 • 2026
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 5, relative to sickle cell.
This bill passed the Legislature and reached final enactment based on the latest official action.
Using official source text because the generated explanation was unavailable or could not be confirmed against the official bill text.
Abstract summarizes the bill.
Comp. became Pub. Ch. 773
Effective date(s) 04/21/2026
Pub. Ch. 773
Signed by Governor.
Transmitted to Governor for his action.
Signed by Senate Speaker
Signed by H. Speaker
Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
Sponsor(s) Added.
Companion House Bill substituted
Passed Senate, Ayes 32, Nays 0
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 4/6/2026
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
Sponsor(s) Added.
Passed H., Ayes 77, Nays 9, PNV 0
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 3/30/2026
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 4/1/2026
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
Reset on Final calendar of Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/24/2026
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/18/2026
Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026
Action def. in Health Committee to 3/24/2026
Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
Placed on cal. Health Committee for 3/17/2026
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Health Committee
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
Action Def. in s/c Health Subcommittee to 3/11/2026
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
Action Def. in s/c Health Subcommittee to 3/4/2026
Placed on s/c cal Health Subcommittee for 2/18/2026
Assigned to s/c Health Subcommittee
P2C, ref. to Health Committee
Intro., P1C.
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
Filed for introduction
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Filed for introduction
Abstract summarizes the bill.
HOUSE BILL 1944 By Love SENATE BILL 1697 By Akbari SB1697 010763 - 1 - AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 5, relative to sickle cell. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE: SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 68-5-504, is amended by adding the following as a new subsection: (d) (1) The department shall test for the presence of sickle cell trait in each newborn born on or after the effective date of this act. (2) If the test results are positive for sickle cell trait, then the department shall notify the parent or legal guardian of the newborn tested as soon as practicable. SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.