Tennessee legislation · 114th General Assembly
Tennessee HB2313: AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33 and Title 68, Chapter 1, relative to early childhood mental health programs.
Status: Chaptered, May 1, 2026
Fiscal Summary NOT SIGNIFICANT Bill Summary This bill authorizes the department of health, in collaboration with the department of mental health and substance abuse services, to establish and administer an early childhood mental health home visiting program as a voluntary, evidence-based, and home-based intervention to promote the mental health, developmental progress, and family stability of children from birth to five and their families. The purpose of the program is to provide intensive, home-based services to families with young children facing significant stressors, including poverty, trauma, domestic violence, or parental mental health or substance abuse challenges. The program must aim to (i) improve child mental health and developmental outcomes, (ii) reduce the incidence of child abuse and neglect, (iii) enhance parental capacity to support child development, (iv) strengthen family stability through coordinated access to community resources, and (v) promote school readiness and long-term health equity. PROGRAM COMPONENTS This bill requires the program to include (i) home-based parent-child psychotherapy delivered by licensed clinicians trained in evidence-based, trauma-informed interventions; (ii) care coordination to connect families with medical, educational, housing, and social services; (iii) developmental and mental health assessments for children; and (iv) fidelity monitoring to ensure adherence to evidence-based standards established by the department of health. PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY This bill requires the department of health to prioritize for eligibility families with children from birth to five who are at risk due to socioeconomic, environmental, or behavioral health challenges, as determined by the department of health in consultation with the department of mental health and substance abuse services. PROGRAM IMP
What the bill says
An act to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33 and Title 68, Chapter 1, relative to early childhood mental health programs.
From the introduced text:
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33 and Title 68, Chapter 1, relative to early childhood mental health programs. WHEREAS, the State of Tennessee recognizes the critical importance of early childhood mental health and family stability in fostering healthy, resilient communities; and WHEREAS, young children exposed to adverse experiences, such as poverty, trauma, or parental mental health challenges, face increased risks of developmental delays, behavioral issues, and long-term health disparities; and WHEREAS, evidence-based, home-based interventions that provide therapeutic support and care coordination can significantly improve mental health and developmental outcomes for young children while strengthening family resilience; and WHEREAS, establishing a state program to deliver such interventions will expand access to critical services for Tennessee's most vulnerable families and complement existing initiatives; and WHEREAS, the General Assembly seeks to partner with qualified providers, such as nonprofit mental health organizations, to implement this program efficiently and sustainably; now, therefore, SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 1, is amended by adding the following as a new part: 68-1-2101. Early childhood mental health home visiting program established - Purpose. HB2313 (a) The department of health, in collaboration with the department of mental health and substance abuse services, is authorized to establish and administer an early childhood mental health home visiting program as a voluntary, evidence-based, and home-based intervention to …
Sponsors
- Hawk, David B. (R, 5) · primary sponsor
- Russell, Lowell (R, 21)
- Pearson, Justin J. (D, 86)
- Eldridge, Rick (R, 10)
- Salinas, Gabby (D, 96)
- Reedy, Jay D. (R, 74)
- Hardaway, G.A. (D)
Latest actions
- : Comp. became Pub. Ch. 800
- : Sponsor(s) Added.
- : Comp. SB subst.
- : H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/2/2026
- : Sponsor(s) Added.
- : Objected to on Consent Calendar.
- : H. Placed on Consent Calendar for 3/30/2026
- : Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026
- : Sponsor(s) Added.
- : Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
Votes
- FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION (April 2, 2026): 71 yea, 17 nay, passed
- HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee (March 23, 2026): 10 yea, 2 nay, passed
- HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE: Rec. for pass; ref to Government Operations Committee (March 17, 2026): 10 yea, 3 nay, passed
- FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration (March 12, 2026): 28 yea, 5 nay, passed
- POPULATION HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE: Rec. for pass by s/c ref. to Health Committee (March 10, 2026): 10 yea, 0 nay, passed
- SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee (March 4, 2026): 6 yea, 3 nay, passed
Subjects: Archives, Publications, My Bills
Common questions
- What is HB2313?
- HB2313 is a bill in the Tennessee Legislature (114th General Assembly): AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33 and Title 68, Chapter 1, relative to early childhood mental health programs.
- What does HB2313 do?
- In its own words: An act to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33 and Title 68, Chapter 1, relative to early childhood mental health programs.
- What is the status of HB2313?
- Chaptered as of May 1, 2026. Latest action: Comp. became Pub. Ch. 800 (May 1, 2026).
- Who sponsored HB2313?
- Hawk, David B. (R, 5), with 6 co-sponsors.
- Where is the official record for HB2313?
- On the Tennessee Legislature website: https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/Default?BillNumber=HB2313&GA=114
Source: official Tennessee record. Tracked by Delilah, AI for legislation across all 50 states and Congress.