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HB 107

Welfare - As enacted, removes the requirement that a parent or caretaker enter a personal responsibility plan that requires a child to attend school and receive immunizations and health checks; removes certain requirements for a parent or caretaker regarding personal responsibility plans; removes a 20 percent reduction in temporary assistance payments for failure to comply with certain personal responsibility plan requirements. - Amends TCA Title 71.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by William Lamberth

Tennessee eliminates mandatory school attendance, immunization, and health check requirements for welfare recipients and removes associated payment penalties.

Pub. Ch. 81
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HB 107

Legislative bill overview

HB 107 removes mandatory personal responsibility plan requirements for welfare recipients in Tennessee, specifically eliminating requirements that parents ensure children attend school, receive immunizations, and undergo health checks. The bill also eliminates the 20% payment reduction penalty for non-compliance with these plan requirements.

Why is this important

This change fundamentally alters Tennessee's welfare program structure by removing conditions tied to health and education outcomes for children. The shift moves from conditional assistance (benefits contingent on specific health/education behaviors) to unconditional assistance, which affects how the state approaches poverty support and child welfare.

Potential points of contention

  • Child health and educational outcomes: Removing school attendance and immunization requirements may reduce vaccination rates and school enrollment, potentially affecting public health and educational achievement, particularly among vulnerable populations
  • Program cost and effectiveness: Eliminating the 20% penalty reduction could increase overall welfare spending, while supporters argue it reduces bureaucratic burden and barriers to assistance
  • Philosophy of welfare: Reflects a fundamental disagreement about whether assistance should be conditional (requiring behavioral changes) or unconditional (removing paternalistic oversight), with implications for program dignity and effectiveness

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

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