Tennessee Senate Bill SB2307

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, Chapter 11, relative to assisted-care living facilities.

Impact

The amendment to the Tennessee Code represents a significant shift in how information is shared regarding assisted-care living facilities. By mandating public notices on the commission's website, the bill is likely to impact prospective residents, guardians, and families, enabling them to make more informed decisions based on a facility's licensure status and history. In particular, this change is viewed as a proactive measure to improve the standards of care in assisted living by keeping the public well-informed.

Summary

Senate Bill 2307, known as 'The Frank J. Lake III Act', seeks to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated related to assisted-care living facilities. The proposed legislation aims to enhance transparency and accountability in the licensure process for these facilities. Key changes include the requirement for the Health Facilities Commission to notify the public via their website regarding the licensure status of assisted-care living facilities and any disciplinary actions pending against them. Additionally, if any facility is placed on probation, similar notification protocols are to be implemented. This transparency is intended to inform residents and families about the status of care facilities they are considering.

Contention

While the bill may receive support for its intention to increase transparency, there could be contention regarding the implications for facilities facing disciplinary actions. Critics may argue that the public posting of potential issues could affect a facility's reputation, regardless of whether a full investigation corroborates any deficiencies. Moreover, there may be concerns about how these changes would be implemented and the possible administrative burden on the Health Facilities Commission to maintain updated information and ensure compliance with the new requirements.