A slew of Tennessee laws went into effect July 1, creating new regulations surrounding artificial intelligence and gender-affirming care as well as establishing stricter immigration policies in the state.
Here’s a recap of some of Tennessee's newest state statutes.
Immigration
Among the most defining topics of this year’s legislative session was the Republican-sponsored immigration package — crafted with the help of the White House and top Donald Trump adviser Stephen Miller.
House Bill 1074, sometimes referred to as the “illegal to be illegal” bill, makes it a misdemeanor to fail or refuse to leave the country when a final order of removal has been made.
HB 2018 requires local law enforcement agencies to enter into a memorandum of understanding with federal immigration enforcement officials, requiring the former to honor any immigration detainer order received from the latter.
Senate Bill 1915 requires local governments to verify that any applicant for public benefits is either a U.S. citizen or legally present in the country. This also allows the Tennessee attorney general to investigate any violations of the requirement.
In addition, and relatedly, HB 1705 requires both state and local governments to verify the work authorization status of prospective employees. Local governments that do not comply could have certain state funds withheld.
Healthcare
With the passage of HB 1665, insurance companies and healthcare providers are banned from asking questions about gender dysphoria or gender-affirming care to minors without parental consent, with penalties of submission to the provider’s licensing board. The bill also reiterates parental jurisdiction over a child’s mental and physical healthcare decisions.
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Under the 2022 “Tennessee Abortion-Inducing Drug Risk Protocol Act,” it is already a class-E felony to mail or deliver abortion pills in Tennessee. HB 2369 encourages the attorney general of Tennessee to enforce compliance with that bill. Rep. Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood) brought a related bill (HB 5), also in an effort to see people prosecuted for breaking this law, but it was held on the desk in the Senate.
While gender-affirming care for minors is already banned in Tennessee and TennCare is already prohibited from covering such care for people of any age, additional legislation (HB 2498) ensures the state’s Medicaid services will not cover gender-affirming care.
SB 1580 seeks to ensure that an artificial intelligence system is not advertised as a qualified mental health professional and provides a civil penalty of $5,000 for each violation.
Education
Tennessee public schools are now allowed to display the Ten Commandments, with HB 47 now in effect. The Republican-sponsored legislation allows public schools to display the Judeo-Christian text as well as the preamble to the United States Constitution and the first sentence of the second paragraph of the preamble to the Declaration of Independence.
Two separate pieces of education-related legislation named after late right-wing activist Charlie Kirk, who was assassinated last year, take effect July 1. The "Charlie Kirk American Heritage Act” allows public school teachers to instruct students on the “positive impacts of religion on American history” during U.S. history lessons.
Meanwhile, the “Charlie Kirk Act” restricts certain protests at public colleges and universities by blocking the school community from interfering with “the freedom of others to express views they reject or even loathe.” This prohibits the disruption of speakers “making noises with the intent of drowning out an invited speaker or hindering the audience from hearing the invited speaker,” or obstructing someone’s view with their body, signs or other objects. The bill also prohibits “physically obstructing an invited speaker or an audience member from entering or attending an event.”
AI in Political Advertisements
HB 1513 requires political advertisements to include a disclaimer if the ad includes AI deepfake elements that impersonate or depict a candidate doing or saying something they did not actually do or say. Violations of the law could result in a misdemeanor.
Hemp and Kratom
Under HB 1649, the sale and possession of kratom is now illegal in Tennessee. Matthew Davenport’s Law is named for a Chattanooga man who died after using kratom, also known as “gas station heroin,” which was previously relegated to those 21 and older.
Hemp is also facing new state regulations. Joints, vapes and flowers containing cannabinoid (a chemical compound found in cannabis that can be extracted) THCA will no longer be legal to sell at cannabis stores and similar businesses.
Small doses of cannabinoids are still legal in edibles and beverages with 15 milligrams per serving or less. They’re also available only at 21-and-up establishments — leaving out gas stations and similar all-ages businesses.
Also effective July 1, the regulation of hemp products has been moved from the Department of Agriculture to the Tennessee Alcoholic Beverage Commission, as mandated by the Tennessee General Assembly in 2025.
This article was first published by our sister publication, the Nashville Post.
