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SB 190

Employees, Employers - As introduced, requires an employer that terminates the employment of an employee who the employer knows to be pregnant and who is covered under an employer-sponsored health benefit plan to continue to provide coverage under the plan until the employee’s pregnancy ends. - Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 27; Title 50; Title 56 and Title 71.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by London Lamar

Tennessee bill requires employers to maintain health coverage for terminated pregnant employees until pregnancy ends, affecting insurance obligations and termination practices.

Failed in Senate Commerce and Labor Committee / no second
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · SB 190

Legislative bill overview

SB 190 requires employers in Tennessee to maintain health insurance coverage for pregnant employees who are terminated, extending benefits until the pregnancy concludes. The bill modifies multiple sections of Tennessee's employment and insurance codes to establish this coverage requirement.

Why is this important

Pregnancy-related job loss can leave women without health coverage during a medically vulnerable period, potentially forcing them to forgo prenatal care or delivery services. This directly affects maternal health outcomes and financial stability for affected workers and their families during critical medical events.

Potential points of contention

  • Employer cost burden: Businesses argue mandatory continuation of premiums for terminated employees increases operational costs and may discourage hiring pregnant women
  • Definition and enforcement ambiguity: Unclear how employers determine pregnancy status, what "knows to be pregnant" means legally, and how violations would be monitored and penalized
  • Federal law overlap: COBRA and state continuation laws already address some coverage scenarios; questions remain about how this bill coordinates with or supersedes existing protections
  • Scope limitations: Bill only covers employer-sponsored plans, potentially leaving self-insured plans and gig workers unaddressed
  • Pregnancy discrimination concerns: Some argue the requirement could incentivize discrimination if employers view pregnant workers as more costly liabilities

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

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