Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

Tennessee House Bill HB1665

Introduced
1/14/26  
Refer
1/21/26  
Refer
2/11/26  
Refer
3/10/26  
Engrossed
3/17/26  
Enrolled
3/20/26  
Passed
4/13/26  

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 33; Title 47; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to the protection of minors in healthcare settings.

Impact

The bill intends to protect minors from being subjected to questions that could cause confusion or conflict with familial values. It asserts that parents should have full control over the medical inquiries made about their children, essentially barring healthcare providers from reaching out to minors about their gender without the parent's explicit permission. This directly impacts how healthcare services are delivered to young patients and establishes stringent rules governing parental access to minors' healthcare forms.

Summary

House Bill 1665 aims to amend various sections of the Tennessee Code to reinforce the rights of parents in making healthcare decisions for their minor children, particularly concerning inquiries related to gender identity. The bill prohibits healthcare providers from asking minors certain sensitive questions without parental consent, such as whether a minor feels normal in their body or identifies as a different gender. This legislation reflects growing concerns about the influence of healthcare practices on minors without adequate parental oversight.

Sentiment

The sentiment regarding HB 1665 is currently divisive. Advocates argue that the bill empowers parents and safeguards children by restricting potentially damaging lines of questioning. Conversely, critics warn that this approach may inhibit necessary medical evaluations and deny minors autonomy over their healthcare needs. Debates around the bill echo broader societal discussions about parental rights and the medical care of transgender and gender-questioning youth.

Contention

Key points of contention involve the balance between parental rights and the autonomy of minors. Opponents of the bill suggest that it might inhibit healthcare providers from addressing pressing health concerns that affect transgender youth. They argue that such practices could prevent minors from receiving necessary and timely healthcare assessments. Supporters, on the other hand, maintain that it is essential to keep sensitive discussions under parental control to avoid confusion and pressure that might arise from unwanted inquiries about gender identity.

Companion Bills

TN SB1664

Crossfiled AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 33; Title 47; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to the protection of minors in healthcare settings.

Previously Filed As

TN SB1664

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 33; Title 47; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to the protection of minors in healthcare settings.

TN SB0676

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1; Title 4; Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to health care.

TN HB0754

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 1; Title 4; Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to health care.

TN SB0259

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to healthcare treatment of minors.

TN HB0853

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to healthcare treatment of minors.

TN SB0025

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to healthcare treatment of minors.

TN HB2199

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 33; Title 41; Title 47; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to healthcare.

TN SB2435

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 3; Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 33; Title 41; Title 47; Title 53; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to healthcare.

TN HB0638

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to healthcare providers.

TN SB1389

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to healthcare providers.

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