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HB 2278

Public Health - As introduced, requires, by February 1 of each year, the department of health to report to the chairs of the senate health and welfare committee and the committee in the house of representatives with jurisdiction over public health programs concerning the benefits and grants received due to an act of congress to provide for cooperation with the states in the protection of mothers and infants and promotion of a public health program. - Amends TCA Title 9; Title 49; Title 53; Title 55 and Title 68.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Mark Cochran and 1 co-sponsor

Requires Tennessee's Department of Health to annually report federal maternal and child health grant benefits to legislature by February 1st for oversight and budget transparency.

Sponsor(s) Added.
#publichealth
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Bill Summary · HB 2278

Legislative bill overview

HB 2278 requires Tennessee's Department of Health to submit an annual report by February 1st to relevant legislative committees detailing federal benefits and grants received under the Maternal and Child Health Services Block Grant program (a federal program supporting mothers, infants, and public health initiatives). The bill amends five sections of Tennessee Code to establish this reporting requirement.

Why is this important

This accountability measure ensures legislators have visibility into how federal maternal and child health funding is being utilized and what benefits the state receives. Such transparency can inform budget decisions, identify program effectiveness, and help lawmakers understand the scope of federally-supported health initiatives operating within Tennessee.

Potential points of contention

  • Administrative burden vs. benefit: The reporting requirement adds compliance costs to the Department of Health; critics may question whether the administrative overhead justifies the informational value, particularly if similar data is already available through other channels.
  • Scope ambiguity: The bill references "benefits and grants received due to an act of congress" but doesn't clearly define what qualifies; this could create interpretation disputes about reporting thresholds or categories of benefits to include.
  • Limited enforcement mechanism: The bill doesn't specify consequences if the Department misses the February 1 deadline or submits incomplete reports, potentially undermining compliance.

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

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