AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 71, Chapter 2, relative to adult day services.

Description

Fiscal Summary NOT SIGNIFICANT Bill Summary ON APRIL 2, 2026, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 1581 FOR HOUSE BILL 1495, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1, AND PASSED SENATE BILL 1581, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to, instead, amend the definition of "limited respite care services program" as such term is used to describe a program providing adult day services. Present law provides that a limited respite care services program is exempt from licensure. Present law provides that a limited respite care services program means a program with a sole purpose to provide primary care givers of appropriate adults with relief from normal caregiving duties and responsibilities and meets all of the following criteria:  The program is operated by a religious institution or religious organization that provides custodial care for aging adults with limitations on activities of daily living (i) who can function in a group setting; (ii) who can feed and perform toilet functions without the assistance of a personal aide accompanying them; and (iii) who attend no more than three days each calendar week, no more than 12 hours in any one week, and no more than six hours in any one day. The program is registered with the department of human services pursuant to a rule promulgated by the commissioner. The program maintains records that include, at a minimum, dates and times of each adult's attendance.  The program provides care services for less than 15 adults at the same time.  The program does not administer medications to adults while under the program's care. This amendment increases the number of hours an adult may attend such a limited respite care services program from 12 to 16 hours in any one week. Further, a program may provide care services for up to 20 adults at the same time, rather than 15, and still qualify

Subjects

Progress

1. IntroducedJan 9, 2026
2. Sent to committeeJan 14, 2026