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SB 2216

Firefighters - As introduced, requires this state's employee assistance program, including components for mental health and wellness, to be available to all active members of a volunteer fire department and all active volunteer members of a combination fire department; makes various other changes. - Amends TCA Section 8-50-119 and Title 68, Chapter 102.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Page Walley

Expands state-funded Employee Assistance Program and PTSD treatment to more public safety workers (including volunteers and part-time staff) and modernizes related reporting.

Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 4/21/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 2216

Summary of Bill: SB 2216 / HB 1761 (Session 114, Tennessee)

Proposed legislation expanding access to state employee benefits and adjusting related administrative provisions for public safety personnel, with a focus on volunteer fire departments and part-time public safety workers.

1) Core purpose and intent

  • Expand access to the state's Employee Assistance Program (EAP), including mental health and wellness components, to all active members of volunteer fire departments and all active volunteer members of a combination fire department recognized under the Fire Department Recognition Act.
  • Require the state to cover all costs associated with this expanded EAP access.
  • Extend mental health/PTSD treatment eligibility to paid part-time public safety employees under the Tennessee Public Safety Behavioral Health Act.
  • Streamline administrative requirements for fire departments applying for recognition and reporting active membership data.

2) Key provisions and changes

A. Employee Assistance Program (EAP) expansion

  • Section 1 adds eligibility:
    • All active members of volunteer fire departments.
    • All active volunteers in combination fire departments recognized under the Fire Department Recognition Act.
  • The state will pay all costs for this expanded access.
  • Definition of EAP (Section 1(a)):
    • EAP includes services such as counseling, problem identification, intervention, assessment, referral for diagnosis/treatment, and follow-up.
    • Targets personal concerns impacting job performance (health, marital, family, financial, alcohol/drug, legal, emotional, stress, etc.).

B. Administrative and reporting changes (SFMO)

  • Section 4 adds a new reporting requirement:
    • Fire departments must submit with an operation application a list of active members (name, mailing address, rank, PSID, birth date, etc.).
    • SFMO may require more frequent electronic updates for departments participating in state grant/training programs or other state opportunities.

C. Public safety behavioral health – PTSD coverage expansion

  • Section 2 and related fiscal notes indicate expansion of PTSD treatment eligibility to paid part-time firefighters and paid part-time emergency medical workers under the Public Safety Behavioral Health Act.
  • Requires insured/public safety employers to provide at least 10 paid sessions with a mental health service provider for PTSD treatment.

D. Fire department recognition notifications

  • Section 3 changes removal of certified-mail requirement for expiration notifications:
    • SFMO would no longer be required to send certification mail notifications to departments about certificate expiration.
    • This reduces administrative costs (certified mail expense).

E. Fire department recognition program data

  • Section 4 codifies additional data collection on active members as part of operation applications and allows SFMO to require periodic membership list updates through electronic means for departments in state programs.

F. Staffing and employment classification

  • Section 5 amends existing statute to allow EAP to cover both full-time and part-time fire department staff (previously limited to full-time).

Effective dates

  • Sections 1 and 5 take effect January 1, 2027 (due to public welfare requirement).
  • Remaining sections take effect upon becoming law.

3) Who or what would be affected

  • Active members of volunteer fire departments and active volunteer members of combination fire departments (for EAP access and mental health services).
  • Fire departments seeking certification/recognition and those applying for state programs that require membership data.
  • Public safety employers (for PTSD treatment eligibility expansion to part-time workers).
  • State Fire Marshal’s Office (SFMO) and related administrative operations (notably reporting requirements and notifications).
  • EAP administrator and the Edison benefits/payroll system (system upgrades to enroll and manage eligibility).

4) Procedural and timeline aspects

  • Timeline:
    • Initial policy changes would become law immediately upon enactment for sections other than those tied to public welfare, with Sections 1 and 5 effective January 1, 2027.
  • Fiscal considerations:
    • Recurring state cost for expanded EAP coverage to volunteer firefighters: approximately $143,539 annually (based on 12,460 active volunteers at $0.96 per member per month, plus system costs).
    • One-time system development: about $39,680 (via Strategic Technology Solutions).
    • Staffing cost: two Insurance Benefits Analysts (approx. $159,046 total per year) to manage eligibility in the Edison system.
    • One-time computer equipment: $4,000.
    • Local government impact: estimated increase of $793,500 in FY26-27 and ongoing $0.0 (local cost estimates suggest funding support through state program changes; details in fiscal note).
    • PTSD treatment expansion for part-time workers is expected to increase demand for outpatient PTSD services; local expenditures estimated at about $793,500 annually starting FY26-27, with corresponding assumptions about demand.
    • Certification-notification cost savings: reduced by eliminating certified mail notices (roughly $1,553 annually starting FY26-27).
  • Administrative notes:
    • A broader population (volunteer personnel) will require updates to the Edison benefit system to track eligibility and enrollment.
    • The bill retains provisions that allow SFMO to regulate and administrate fire department recognition while updating data submission requirements.

5) Summary assessment

SB 2216 / HB 1761 aims to:
- Broaden access to state-supported mental health resources for volunteer/public safety personnel, funded by the state.
- Extend PTSD treatment benefits to paid part-time public safety employees.
- Streamline and modernize administrative processes related to fire department recognition and membership reporting.
- Clarify employment status coverage (full-time and part-time) for EAP eligibility.

If enacted, these changes would expand behavioral health support for a broader segment of Tennessee’s public safety workforce and adjust related administrative practices and funding.

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

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