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HB 2599

Disability and Aging, Dept. Of - As introduced, removes the termination date of the Alzheimer's and dementia respite care pilot program; removes the requirement that the program must actively serve up to 225 enrollees at one time in each fiscal year of the program's operation. - Amends TCA Title 52, Chapter 8, Part 2.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Johnny Shaw

Tennessee bill makes Alzheimer's respite care program permanent and removes enrollment caps, expanding caregiver support but creating indefinite budget obligations.

Taken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
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Bill Summary · HB 2599

Legislative bill overview

HB 2599 removes the sunset date from Tennessee's Alzheimer's and dementia respite care pilot program, making it permanent rather than temporary. The bill also eliminates the requirement that the program maintain enrollment of up to 225 participants per fiscal year, allowing flexible scaling based on need and resources.

Why is this important

Respite care provides critical relief for family caregivers of dementia patients, reducing caregiver burnout and enabling continued home-based care. Making the program permanent signals state commitment to this support service, while removing enrollment caps allows the program to adapt to actual demand rather than arbitrary targets.

Potential points of contention

  • Fiscal impact: Removing the sunset date creates indefinite state funding obligations; the bill lacks specified funding mechanisms or budget allocations for ongoing operation
  • Accountability measures: Eliminating the 225-enrollee target removes a concrete performance metric, potentially reducing oversight and measurable outcomes reporting
  • Program scalability: Unclear whether removing enrollment caps reflects genuine flexibility or underfunded expansion that may create service gaps if demand exceeds resources

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

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