SB1597Introduced in the Senate
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 38 and Title 68, relative to death certificates.
Introduced by London Lamar, District 33
What does this bill do?
Plain-English breakdown
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Official description
As enacted, enacts "April's Law of 2026," which authorizes a surviving parent, in addition to another next of kin, to formally disagree with the county medical examiner's determination that the manner of death for the parent's child was suicide and request reconsideration from the state chief medical examiner; allows the other parent of a child of the decedent to request a copy of the decedent's death certificate if the child is under 18. - Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 68.
Where it stands
Effective date(s) 04/07/2026
April 27, 2026
How did lawmakers vote?
House votes
1 recorded vote · each counted separately
Senate votes
2 recorded votes · each counted separately
HouseStage: FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION · March 23, 2026
87
Yes
0
No
0
Absent or Not Voting
87 representatives recorded in this House vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.
See how each representative voted
| Representative | District | Vote |
|---|---|---|
| John Crawford | 1 | Yes |
| Bud Hulsey | 2 | Yes |
| Timothy Hill | 3 | Yes |
| Renea Jones | 4 | Yes |
| David Hawk | 5 | Yes |
| Tim Hicks | 6 | Yes |
| Rebecca Alexander | 7 | Yes |
| Jerome Moon | 8 | Yes |
| Gary Hicks | 9 | Yes |
| Rick Eldridge | 10 | Yes |
Bill history
Filed for introduction
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/17/2026
Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 2/23/2026
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0500)
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 1, PNV 1
Engrossed; ready for transmission to House
Sponsor(s) Added.
Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
Subst. for comp. HB.
Passed H., Ayes 87, Nays 0, PNV 0
Enrolled and ready for signatures
Signed by Senate Speaker
Signed by H. Speaker
Transmitted to Governor for action.
Signed by Governor.
Pub. Ch. 666
Effective date(s) 04/07/2026
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