Tennessee legislation · 114th General Assembly
Tennessee HB2145: AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 63, relative to respiratory therapy.
Status: Chaptered, May 18, 2026
Fiscal Summary OTHER FISCAL IMPACT A precise fiscal impact cannot be determined, but expenditures to the Board of Respiratory Care are reasonably estimated to exceed $10,000 for participation once the Compact goes into effect. Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 4-29-121, all health-related boards are required to be self-supporting over a two-year period. The Board of Respiratory Care had an annual deficit of $2,992 in FY23-24, an annual deficit of $129,591 in FY24-25, and a cumulative reserve balance of $936,442 on June 30, 2025. Bill Summary The Respiratory Care Interstate Compact (the "compact") is a legally binding agreement among states that provides a pathway through which respiratory therapists can obtain compact privileges that authorize practice in states where they are not licensed. A state must enact the compact model legislation via a state's legislative process to join. As of the writing of this summary, Alabama, Iowa, Montana, Washington, and Wisconsin have officially joined or passed legislation for the compact. However, the compact requires a minimum of seven states to become active. PURPOSE The purpose of the compact is to facilitate the interstate practice of respiratory therapy with the goal of improving public access to respiratory therapy services by providing respiratory therapists licensed in a member state the ability to practice in other member states. However, the compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. STATE PARTICIPATION IN THE COMPACT In order to participate in the compact and continue as a member state, the compact requires a member state to adhere to all of the following requirements: Enact a compact that is not materially different from the model compact. License respiratory therapists.
What the bill says
An act to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 63, relative to respiratory therapy.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 63, relative to respiratory therapy. SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 63, Chapter 27, is amended by adding the following as a new part: 63-27-201. Respiratory care interstate compact. This state hereby enters into the "Respiratory Care Interstate Compact" ("compact") as set forth in this part. The text of the compact is set forth in §§ 63-27-202 - 63-27-214. 63-27-202. Section 1 - Title and purpose. (a) The purpose of this compact is to facilitate the interstate practice of respiratory therapy with the goal of improving public access to respiratory therapy services by providing respiratory therapists licensed in a member state the ability to practice in other member states. The compact preserves the regulatory authority of states to protect public health and safety through the current system of state licensure. (b) This compact is designed to achieve the following objectives: (1) Increase public access to respiratory therapy services by creating a responsible, streamlined pathway for licensees to practice in member states with the goal of improving outcomes for patients; (2) Enhance states' ability to protect the public's health and safety; (3) Promote the cooperation of member states in regulating the practice of respiratory therapy within those member states; HB2145 (4) Ease administrative burdens on states by encouraging the cooperation …
Sponsors
- Terry, Bryan (R, 48) · primary sponsor
- Harris, Torrey C. (D, 91)
- Pearson, Justin J. (D, 86)
Latest actions
- : Comp. became Pub. Ch. 977
- : Sponsor(s) Added.
- : Comp. SB subst.
- : H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 4/20/2026
- : Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/16/2026
- : Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
- : Placed on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/15/2026
- : Rec for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
- : Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/15/2026
- : Placed on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
Votes
- FLOOR VOTE: CONSENT CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION (April 20, 2026): 96 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee (April 17, 2026): 13 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee (April 17, 2026): 26 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee (March 23, 2026): 14 yea, 0 nay, passed
- HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Government Operations Committee (March 17, 2026): 21 yea, 0 nay, passed
- FLOOR VOTE: Motion to Adopt (March 9, 2026): 32 yea, 0 nay, passed
Subjects: Archives, Publications, My Bills
Common questions
- What is HB2145?
- HB2145 is a bill in the Tennessee Legislature (114th General Assembly): AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 63, relative to respiratory therapy.
- What does HB2145 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 63, relative to respiratory therapy.
- What is the status of HB2145?
- Chaptered as of May 18, 2026. Latest action: Comp. became Pub. Ch. 977 (May 18, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2145?
- Terry, Bryan (R, 48), with 2 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2145?
- On the Tennessee Legislature website: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB2145&GA=114
Source: official Tennessee record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.