Gov. Bill Haslam and House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville, today announced the creation of a legislative task force to focus on Tennessee's options for expanding health coverage. The Knoxville News Sentinel reports the announcement comes after the failure of the Haslam’s alternative Medicaid expansion plan, “Insure Tennessee,” last year. The task force will be chaired by Rep. Cameron Sexton, R-Crossville, and the group will complete its work by June. 

A bill that would allow Tennessee mental health therapists to deny care for patients based on the counselors’ personal principles is now on its way to Gov. Bill Haslam. The state Senate approved the measure (SB1556) in February and yesterday signed off on a language change that dropped religious beliefs and instead added the broader language of “principles.” The House approved the measure earlier this month. Haslam has said he wants to see the final version before deciding whether to sign it into law, The Associated Press reports. 

An opinion issued today by Attorney General Herbert Slatery said the Republican-backed transgender bathroom bill could cost the state federal education funding, The Associated Press reports. The measure (HB2414) would require students in public grade schools and universities to use bathrooms and locker rooms that match their sex as it appears on their birth certificates. “If only because the U.S. Department of Education, which is charged with enforcing Title IX, interprets Title IX to require that transgender students be given access to restrooms and locker rooms consistent with their 'gender identity' instead of their anatomical gender," Slatery wrote. Rep. Mike Stewart, D-Nashville, and Rep. Harry Brooks, R-Knoxville, requested the opinion.

A panel tasked with updating and improving the legislature’s sexual harassment policy yesterday sent its final recommendations to House Speaker Beth Harwell, R-Nashville. Suggestions in the report include that the legislature maintain annual statistics on the number of sexual harassment complaints the legislature receives and issue a report if a violation of the policy has occurred, The Tennessean reports. The report comes on the heels of an investigation by Attorney General Herbert Slatery that revealed Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, had “been involved in a pattern of inappropriate behavior."

Continuing six-month garnishments will now reach individuals who are paid by commission or otherwise, and will be treated as employer garnishments under TBA-sponsored legislation. The measure – SB1969 / HB1775 by Shelbyville Republicans Sen. Jim Tracy and Rep. Pat Marsh – as amended today passed the Senate with a 32-0 vote and the House with a vote of 91-0. Read the amendment that makes the bill.

State Rep. Jeremy Durham, R-Franklin, will be moved to offices away from the Capitol complex as an investigation into alleged inappropriate behavior continues, House Speaker Beth Harwell announced today. Durham’s access to committee rooms and the House chamber will be limited to when meetings are taking place, the Nashville Post reports. "Although the Attorney General's investigation is ongoing," Harwell, R-Nashville, said, "I feel compelled to take proactive steps to protect all parties concerned until the conclusion of the investigation." The move comes as Attorney General Herbert Slatery announced he found Durham’s “alleged behavior may pose a continuing risk to unsuspecting women" at the Capitol complex. 

A bill, which as amended would have permitted live video transmission of testimony in criminal cases, failed to move forward today. The measure (HB0400) by Rep. Curtis Halford, R-Dyer, was placed on the summer study calendar of the House Criminal Justice Committee. The TBA opposed the measure on the grounds that it contravened the Confrontation Clause of the Tennessee Constitution, which grants the accused the right to "face to face" confrontation. Nathan Ridley, representing the Tennessee Association of Criminal Defense Lawyers, testified against the legislation.

The Associated Press reports a bill that would allow counselors to turn away patients based on their personal beliefs has passed in the state House. The Senate already approved the measure (SB1556 / HB1840), but must approve an amendment adopted by the House before the bill can head to Gov. Bill Haslam. The American Counseling Association has condemned the measure.

The Associated Press reports a bill that would allow counselors to turn away patients based on their personal beliefs has passed in the state House. The Senate already approved the measure (SB 1556 / HB 1840), but must approve an amendment adopted by the House before the bill can head to Gov. Bill Haslam. The American Counseling Association has condemned the measure.

The bill that would lower the legal penalties for repeated drug possession and increase penalties for repeat DUI offenders is now headed to Gov. Bill Haslam’s desk. The Tennessean reports the state Senate yesterday approved the measure (HB 1478) with a 32-0 vote after the House signed off on it last week.