Mental Health & Substance Abuse Services, Dept. of - As introduced, adds legislative librarian to the list the department of mental health and substance abuse services must submit its quarterly report to on the implementation and impact of available suitable accommodations, including the number and length of any delayed admissions, in state-owned or -operated hospitals or treatment resources. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 16; Title 17; Title 18; Title 20; Title 21; Title 24; Title 29; Title 30; Title 32; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40; Title 49; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Requires Tennessee's mental health department to include Legislative Librarian in quarterly reports on hospital admission delays and service availability, with extensive code amendments pending clarification.

P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.

#dept.of #mentalhealth&substanceabuseservices

Legislative bill overview

HB 1347 requires the Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services to add the Legislative Librarian to recipients of its quarterly reports on suitable accommodations, delayed admissions, and service implementation in state-owned hospitals and treatment facilities. The bill makes technical amendments across 21 Tennessee Code titles, though the caption suggests primarily administrative reporting modifications.

Why is this important

Transparency in mental health and substance abuse service delivery directly affects vulnerable populations seeking timely treatment. Adding the Legislative Librarian to reporting requirements increases public access to data on admission delays and resource availability, enabling lawmakers and the public to identify systemic bottlenecks and advocacy priorities. This is particularly significant given ongoing national concerns about mental health treatment wait times and adequate facility capacity.

Potential points of contention

Scope ambiguity: The bill's extensive amendments across 21 code titles far exceed what a simple reporting recipient addition would require, raising questions about hidden substantive changes or whether the caption accurately reflects true legislative intent

Administrative burden: Additional reporting recipients may create redundant bureaucratic processes without clarifying how the Legislative Librarian will use the data or what actions result from increased transparency

"Suitable accommodations" undefined: The bill references accommodations standards without clear definition, potentially allowing subjective interpretation of what constitutes adequate mental health services