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SJR 620

Constitutional Amendments - Proposes an amendment to Article I of the Constitution of Tennessee to prohibit the state from compelling a person to undergo medical treatment, even in the case of a declared state emergency. -

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Joey Hensley

Prohibits the state from compelling medical treatment, including vaccines, absent due process, even in emergencies, with enforcement legislation possible.

Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Judiciary Committee
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Bill Summary · SJR 620

Summary of Tennessee SJR 620 (Session 114)

Proposed constitutional amendment to prohibit compulsory medical treatment

Purpose and intent

  • SJR 620 seeks to amend Article I of the Tennessee Constitution to prohibit the state from compelling any person to undergo a medical treatment.
  • This prohibition applies even in the event of a declared state of emergency.
  • The amendment asserts that, absent due process of law, the state cannot require individuals to undergo medical procedures, drug administration, vaccinations, or other interventions intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or mitigate any physical or mental condition.
  • The bill also authorizes the General Assembly to enact legislation necessary to enforce the amendment.

Key provisions

  • New constitutional section (proposed) added to Article I:
    • (a) “Absent due process of law, the state shall not compel any person to undergo a medical treatment, even in the case of a declared state of emergency.”
    • Definition: “medical treatment” includes any medical procedure, drug administration, vaccination, or other intervention intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or mitigate any physical or mental condition.
    • (b) The General Assembly may enact legislation to enforce the provisions of this section.
  • The measure is a proposed amendment to the Tennessee Constitution, not ordinary legislation, and would require subsequent action by the next General Assembly after this proposal (i.e., publication and referral to the 115th General Assembly).

Affected entities and potential impact

  • Individuals in Tennessee: The amendment would protect individuals from state-directed medical interventions, including vaccination requirements and similar measures, unless due process rights are satisfied.
  • State and local governments: Would be constrained from mandating medical treatments as a condition for access to services, employment, or participation in activities, without due process.
  • Public health policy and emergency response: The amendment could limit the state’s ability to implement emergency public health measures that require medical interventions, depending on how due process standards are interpreted and later legislation enacted to enforce the amendment.

Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Status: Assigned to the Senate General Subcommittee of the Judiciary Committee (as of 2026-03-23). Previously:
    • Introduced and passed on First Consideration (2026-02-02)
    • Passed on Second Consideration and referred to Senate Judiciary Committee (2026-02-05)
    • Filed for introduction (2026-01-22)
  • Process: As a constitutional amendment, after passage by both houses (with the required concurrence and journal entries), it would require publication and referral to the 115th General Assembly for consideration, per Article XI, Section 3 of the Tennessee Constitution.
  • Fiscal note: The fiscal impact is deemed “not significant.” Publication and copying costs are expected to be minimal; no large new administrative or program expenditures anticipated.

Sponsor and status

  • Primary sponsor: Senator Hensley
  • Co-sponsor: Representative (name not listed in provided text; indicated as co-sponsor Joey Hensley in the sponsoring section)
  • Current committee action: Senate Judiciary Committee (General Subcommittee) as of late March 2026

Key takeaways

  • The bill proposes a constitutional protection against compelled medical treatment, including vaccines, even during emergencies.
  • It allows the General Assembly to pass enforcement legislation to implement the amendment.
  • As a constitutional amendment, it would require further legislative and possibly voter-related steps to take effect in Tennessee law.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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