2026 TDC Member Legislation

HB 2411/ SB 2167 – Tennessee Community Organizations (TNCO) is leading advocacy for this bill to integrate the bureau of TennCare into the TN Department of Disability and Aging Statewide Planning and Policy Council’s structure and mission by adding the director of long-term care services and a managed care organization representative to its membership. The bill expands the council’s advisory and reporting duties to include TennCare’s director, services, and waiver implementation alongside existing department programs.

HB 1653/ SB 1621 – National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee is leading advocacy for this bill to allocate $16,000 annually to fund the NFB Newsline service for Tennesseans who are Blind, DeafBlind or low vision. NFB Newsline is an audio services that offers access to news, job listings, emergency weather alerts and more. This service has traditionally been funded through the TN Department of Vocational Rehabilitation but was cut from the department’s budget for the coming fiscal year starting July 1, 2026.

HB 1646/ SB 1795 – The Brain Injury Association of America – Tennessee Chapter is leading advocacy for this bill mandating that health insurers and health maintenance organizations provide coverage for medically necessary treatments related to acquired brain injury (ABI), explicitly defining ABI and listing covered therapies such as cognitive rehabilitation, neurobehavioral therapy, and community reintegration services.

HB 1957/ SB 2357 – Tennessee LEAD-K (Language Equality & Acquisition for Deaf Kids) is leading advocacy for this bill to create the Tennessee council for research of children who are Deaf, DeafBlind, and hard of hearing, outlining its membership, duties, and reporting requirements. The council is tasked with identifying and recommending assessment tools, language development criteria, and systems for maintaining data on the development of children from birth to age ten who are deaf, deaf-blind, or hard of hearing, as well as developing protocols for data reporting and parent resources.

HB 2188/ SB 2362 – Several members are advocating for this bill to improve services and oversight for children in or at risk of state custody who have intellectual or developmental disabilities (I/DD), mandating interagency collaboration between the Department of Children’s Services and the Department of Disability and Aging (DDA). The bill outlines requirements for service evaluation, placement, oversight, staff training, and care coordination specifically for children with I/DD, and establishes annual reporting on these activities to legislative committees.

HB 1644/ SB 1843 – TN Disability Coalition member Michael Collins is leading advocacy for this bill to regulate the sale of nitrous oxide by vape shop retailers, distributors, wholesalers, importers, and manufacturers, with escalating civil penalties and license suspensions or revocations for violations. The purpose of this bill is to prevent the abuse of nitrous oxide which can lead to serious neurological damage, cognitive impairment, and in severe cases long-term spinal cord injury.

Many more bills under consideration at the Tennessee General Assembly have big implications for the services, supports and rights of Tennesseans with disabilities. We are tracking disability-related bills and reporting to our disability advocacy email list weekly. Sign up to receive policy news and advocacy alerts at: https://tndisability.org/subscribe/

Policy change extends beyond legislation. TN Disability Coalition members are also advancing improvements in systems, services, and community practices that impact the daily lives of people with disabilities.

Interested in becoming a member? Learn more and apply for membership at: https://tndisability.org/about/members/