Straight-ahead summaries built from the official bill text. We keep the source links front and center and leave the decision up to you.
SB2081 • 2026
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to step therapy.
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. 995
Effective date(s) 01/01/2027
Pub. Ch. 995
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 30, Nays 3
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
Sponsor(s) Added.
Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026
Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026
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 90, Nays 1, PNV 4
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/6/2026
Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 4/7/2026
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/2/2026
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
Placed on cal. Government Operations Committee for 3/30/2026
Rec. for pass; ref to Government Operations Committee
Sponsor(s) Added.
Placed on cal. Insurance Committee for 3/24/2026
Action def. in Insurance Committee to 3/24/2026
Sponsor(s) Added.
Sponsor(s) Added.
Placed on cal. Insurance Committee for 3/17/2026
Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Insurance Committee
Action deferred in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee to 3/17/2026
Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/10/2026
Placed on s/c cal Insurance Subcommittee for 3/11/2026
Action Def. in s/c Insurance Subcommittee to 3/11/2026
Action deferred in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee to 3/10/2026
Placed on s/c cal Insurance Subcommittee for 3/4/2026
Placed on Senate Commerce and Labor Committee calendar for 3/3/2026
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Commerce and Labor Committee
Assigned to s/c Insurance Subcommittee
P2C, ref. to Insurance Committee - Government Operations for Review
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Intro., P1C.
Filed for introduction
Filed for introduction
Abstract summarizes the bill.
HOUSE BILL 1956 By Alexander SENATE BILL 2081 By Watson SB2081 011455 - 1 - AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to step therapy. BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE: SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 56-7-3501(1), is amended by deleting "stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer, metastatic blood cancer, or treatment of such cancers" and substituting "cancer or the treatment of cancer". SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 56-7-3501, is amended by deleting subdivision (10). SECTION 3. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 56-7-3502(h)(1), is amended by deleting the subdivision and substituting: (1) Notwithstanding this section, and except as provided in subdivision (h)(3), a health benefit plan that provides coverage for cancer and associated conditions shall not require use of a step therapy protocol before the health benefit plan provides coverage of an approved prescription drug to an enrollee who has received a diagnosis of cancer. SECTION 4. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 56-7-3502(h)(2), is amended by deleting "stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer or metastatic blood". SECTION 5. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 56-7-3502(h)(5), is amended by deleting "stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer and metastatic blood". SECTION 6. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 56-7-3502(h)(6), is amended by deleting "stage 4 advanced metastatic cancer or metastatic blood" in subdivision (B) and (C). - 2 - 011455 SECTION 7. The commissioner of commerce and insurance and the commissioner of health may promulgate rules to effectuate this act. The rules must be promulgated in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5. SECTION 8. This act takes effect January 1, 2027, the public welfare requiring it, and applies to policies or agreements entered into, renewed, or amended on or after that date.