[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6298036,"mediaKeyId","2505660-1a16e655f1f3bd96d5f18d044013ea65","parentId",2505660,"title","Subcommittee advances bill clarifying licensing for medical laboratory collection stations","audioSeconds",104,"startMs",1827000,"endMs",1931000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505660-1a16e655f1f3bd96d5f18d044013ea65&start=1827&end=1931","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505660-1a16e655f1f3bd96d5f18d044013ea65/thumbnail_1827000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6298036/Tennessee/Subcommittee-advances-bill-clarifying-licensing-for-medical-laboratory-collection-stations","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298036-817c711f38b4e53254a95d088bb6b39a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011346&Signature=CzriC~0HzajlNR2tVYxvzWsNOLZ5vkCQf38XfJcnytTA1zcgjunUAGd3dWT1ymO~E4AdqWwKZoAA~12OeXRbp0g9UINfxuoSWY71AkxTlbCKRFyDT2uFru9eHclOP3IWsH2u8go3ifMGpQmqVXSyWUq~c9V4GDnXPF10G4N6MSyNZOcwv6rNlN93-p7tMmhT9KRTrv0i~3KzeXy0FOjVlFU57Y4bX7NBOWGybUxp7sfEJsWj0uSkog9ZOwgYW~tRAUpJqBj1BpeB3VPnuPhrdVqYgLDrmNAqDXyRHDOAvOvJfShmoVo1goy4hhXDHjwbkuecY0Vb7utT-6REVyLiwA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-03-05T00:00:00Z","article","Chairman Leatherwood sponsored House Bill 7 02 and the subcommittee unanimously advanced the measure to the full Health Committee.

The sponsor told the committee the bill clarifies that a collection station located in Tennessee and operated by the owner of a Tennessee‑licensed medical laboratory does not require an additional license, regardless of where collected specimens are shipped. The sponsor said the administration of the licensing board requested an amendment to ensure the board retains access to information needed to investigate complaints. The sponsor emphasized that the licensed laboratory would remain responsible for specimens throughout the process.

There were no substantive questions from committee members in the recorded discussion. The clerk recorded “8 ayes, 0 nays,” and the chairman announced that House Bill 7 02 will move to the full Health Committee.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Health Subcommittee\tMar 5, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 7 02 was advanced 8-0; it clarifies that collection stations operated by the owner of a Tennessee‑licensed medical laboratory do not require separate licensure even when specimens are sent elsewhere, while preserving board access to information and lab responsibility for specimens.","taxTitle","Health, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",35345,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6298041,"Subcommittee advances Department of Health licensing cleanup bill",134,1692000,1826000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505660-1a16e655f1f3bd96d5f18d044013ea65&start=1692&end=1826","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505660-1a16e655f1f3bd96d5f18d044013ea65/thumbnail_1692000.jpg","/articles/6298041/Tennessee/Subcommittee-advances-Department-of-Health-licensing-cleanup-bill","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298041-da5ca0fb193f91b7f273d783dd16af0c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011346&Signature=Sn~6tZNwbdQUZPpKbMJTdBADeyzcEcorW01u8sD~KwT8OQrsYEbyTTZ5N-11BczqjqEouBsjWRQ5y5n68ztTtdxgrca0wNDTP3mkpQCmp44qfnKNmVFJtfwSvTEIS7L6OhQlWRtg6cSyJKlK-ATHNoFxkK~Os1w-vjJLM1GVgTiE7ASA3eVQ0XfK3ZcV4x6f2y3AQ5uehSeMycKkeEA76Kb53paujV0iZR22E0X0xVHdUzNSHB9JNmROSwCR~MNoHvaSqjzfSXpVHgpJadKoc8voLGrBsgqQPjxxUdeg64Bq1GOAGlkpivwrSwCeZTyzaPXD9~~B8Ct0vPqTdQk2bg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A sponsor introduced House Bill 13 11 on behalf of the Department of Health as statutory cleanup following the department’s retrospective rulemaking process. The subcommittee voted unanimously to advance the bill to the full Health Committee.

The sponsor said the bill eliminates per-signature charges in the department’s licensing software and clarifies that licenses may be signed by the commissioner or assistant commissioner rather than requiring multiple board-member signatures. The bill would permit licensing boards to appoint three‑member panels to conduct hearings and would clarify that the department may request information from licensees even when they are not the subject of an investigation.

The sponsor also said the legislation would bar the department from providing licensee information to law enforcement without a court order and would clean up statutory language related to electrolysis and respiratory care licensing references. The sponsor offered to bring a representative from the Department of Health to the committee if members had detailed questions; none were raised during the recorded discussion.

The clerk recorded “8 ayes, 0 nays,” and the chairman announced that House Bill 13 11 will move to the full Health Committee.","House Bill 13 11, presented as technical statutory cleanup from the Department of Health’s retrospective rule review, would change licensing-signature rules, allow small adjudicative panels and clarify information‑sharing limits; the subcommittee advanced the measure 8-0.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6298046,"Subcommittee advances bill to reimburse schools and first responders for anti‑choking devices",509,1169000,1678000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505660-1a16e655f1f3bd96d5f18d044013ea65&start=1169&end=1678","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505660-1a16e655f1f3bd96d5f18d044013ea65/thumbnail_1169000.jpg","/articles/6298046/Tennessee/Subcommittee-advances-bill-to-reimburse-schools-and-first-responders-for-antichoking-devices","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298046-d8ae1cdae19fd48bc267a4613e598509/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011346&Signature=gHnfQGwDtpwJB0Z7oQkhmAmo3k~AX-y7XDUtYsDJng95kSQVnhNczUeHI58abZ3FiOZ8aEukFvh9FcHthhFOFZJ9S0koE9WbebUlqBWjZe6tpGn5scKZT62OhKab5Oigiuj1e6ZToolOOLCmFF1raYGWpiv-d9JBaXG0wxpwZmaKk85o25xp18H4kefbD4e-mPUB~RWQWLlGuNfs~t0Xn3G6C5t~KMQzSC2Gv9nX7~tSojthtPTf7TlLVH7e7rIaw52vPN8DvI023nweUmZd5XhekaadDgl~1l43oI9c-ptvo~QMlGQ1-9UMaICMHBnIjMw3jg22NGw5oq8pQHfUmw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Martin introduced House Bill 10 84, a limited grant program to reimburse local education agencies, charter schools, private schools and first responders for approved anti‑choking devices; the House Health Subcommittee voted unanimously to advance the bill to the full Health Committee.

The bill authorizes up to $500,000 in reimbursements from July of the current year through July 2028 and directs the Department of Health to promulgate rules identifying eligible devices and to administer the program. Under the bill as presented, schools may purchase one device per cafeteria and first responders such as fire and EMS may purchase one device per vehicle.

Rob Cresswell of Chattanooga addressed the committee as a private citizen and described a personal family tragedy. “My brother and his wife were in a restaurant in Chattanooga and Greg, he choked on a piece of steak,” Cresswell said. He recounted that Greg lost consciousness, was later declared brain dead and died five days after the incident. Cresswell said he then learned about a suction-based device, identified in testimony as LifeVac, and later founded a 501(c)(3) called Greg O2 to distribute the devices locally.

Cresswell told the committee his group has placed more than 2,200 devices in Hamilton County and nearby schools and that the devices have been placed in police cars and restaurants in the county. He stated that the device’s manufacturer told him the product “had never lost anybody” and that it had “saved over 4,000 people,” and he said, “The Heimlich maneuver is about 63% effective and, this anti token device is 100% effective.” Those efficacy claims were made by the witness and attributed to the manufacturer in testimony; the committee did not introduce independent verification during the hearing.

Representative McKenzie and Representative Mitchell asked about how to respond to choking incidents and the per-unit cost. Cresswell said his group places the device in an acrylic box mounted on a wall to keep it visible and that the box and device together cost about $70. He also described guidance posted at grego2.org and referenced Red Cross-approved techniques such as back slaps and the Heimlich maneuver as complementary emergency actions.

The clerk recorded “8 ayes, 0 nays,” and the chairman announced the bill would move to the full Health Committee.","House Bill 10 84 would create a limited grant program — capped at $500,000 through July 2028 — to reimburse schools and first responders for anti‑choking devices; a Chattanooga advocate testified about the device LifeVac and committee approved the bill 8-0.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6298051,"Committee approves Caring for Caregivers Act to fund family caregivers of dementia patients",166,969000,1135000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2505660-1a16e655f1f3bd96d5f18d044013ea65&start=969&end=1135","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2505660-1a16e655f1f3bd96d5f18d044013ea65/thumbnail_969000.jpg","/articles/6298051/Tennessee/Committee-approves-Caring-for-Caregivers-Act-to-fund-family-caregivers-of-dementia-patients","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6298051-c488e72c9969a38025f0a381da449d44/orig.mp4?Expires=1771011346&Signature=jaUsg9JJfBxLZN5qGZYSyeaZn9pOVPjRVy0NVU1RTWlE3YCMH7pYV0rfwDFGWyFD41ChIg5GOkuX5pOoXeGZ2i47hQPilzak9Ay8Rurnkhg8MC8dBJuzBEtmD4jl-oxjFHr8SCpKIiNLdDF36YlHCp6nQNbJ2ARgNAktwRzMV3fqBrLnTf6Sl~WFO4XzN2BqUnMI0q~W17bqm6HWx7kceVE9ccs3BjUpzuHdxicmgnpIlknk0e3Ft0K5~dnJ-bKVF-PB5xR7GXv8IehXqv2lZbyounHK0Hx-N3NtBKpvXwsx1Mmx5XVLnJwA7rZHFO0KfMRElwJdXUjIF7zXg4f-8g__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Jones introduced House Bill 7 17, the “Caring for Caregivers Act,” and the subcommittee unanimously voted to advance the bill to the full Health Committee.

Representative Jones said she sponsored the bill after meeting a constituent who described his grandfather’s battle with Alzheimer’s and his wife’s growing caregiver burden. “I am honored to sponsor House Bill 7 17, the Caring for Caregivers Act,” she said, recounting how the constituent’s wife, “missus Fox, slowly started to lose not only her health, but her identity as she became overwhelmed with the burden of caring for her husband.”

The bill would create a three-year pilot program administered by the Department of Disability and Aging to provide one-time $6,000 financial grants to family caregivers of individuals diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Representative Jones said caregivers of Alzheimer’s and related dementias face high costs, noting that such caregivers “spend over $36,000 a year on lost wages and caregiving expenses.” She told the committee the program aims to serve “approximately 360,000 caregivers of this state.”

Under the bill text read into the record, the pilot is explicitly three years long and provides the $6,000 grants to family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias. Representative Jones cited other states that have established similar programs, naming Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina as having programs to cover out-of-pocket expenses for caregivers.

After brief remarks and no substantive questions from committee members, the clerk recorded the roll call. The clerk reported “8 ayes, 0 nays,” and the chairman announced, “Ayes have it. House bill 7 17 moves on to health full.”

The bill will next be considered by the full House Health Committee. The subcommittee record does not specify program funding sources or an implementation timeline beyond the three-year pilot language.","The Tennessee House Health Subcommittee advanced House Bill 7 17, a three-year pilot to provide $6,000 grants to family caregivers of people with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias; the measure passed 8-0 and will go to the full Health Committee.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Subcommittee advances bill clarifying licensing for medical laboratory collection stations

Subcommittee advances Department of Health licensing cleanup bill

Subcommittee advances bill to reimburse schools and first responders for anti‑choking devices

Committee approves Caring for Caregivers Act to fund family caregivers of dementia patients