Senator Hensley Highlights Key Legislative Achievements from 2025 General Assembly Session

The 114th General Assembly has officially adjourned for 2025, and Senator Joey Hensley, MD is calling it a productive year, with several key measures passed to improve the lives of Tennesseans. The legislative session focused on public health, pro-life policies, support for caregivers, and protections for vulnerable populations.

One major initiative advanced by lawmakers is a new law targeting the illegal distribution of abortion-inducing drugs, such as mifepristone or misoprostol. The legislation allows wrongful death lawsuits to be filed for the death of an unborn child at any stage of gestation if those drugs are sent illegally. While it reinforces the state’s existing pro-life laws, the bill does not prohibit legal uses of the medications. The bill has passed the Senate and is awaiting action in the House.

To further support pro-life values while protecting maternal health, the General Assembly approved legislation clarifying how physicians can respond to serious pregnancy-related emergencies. The measure ensures doctors can act swiftly in life-threatening situations without fear of legal repercussions. It outlines specific medical conditions—such as preterm membrane rupture, severe preeclampsia, and mirror syndrome—that may justify emergency intervention. The law excludes mental health diagnoses and maintains that all care must be based on reasonable medical judgment.

Lawmakers also passed a bill requiring Tennessee public and charter high schools to educate students about the Safe Haven Law, which allows parents to safely and legally surrender newborns at designated facilities. In addition, the Safe Haven Law itself was expanded, increasing the allowable surrender period from 14 to 45 days after birth. Since 2001, over 130 newborns have been safely surrendered under the law.

Another major initiative, the Caring for Caregivers Act, establishes a pilot grant program to assist Tennesseans caring for family members with Alzheimer’s disease or related dementias. Under the three-year program, eligible caregivers can receive up to $6,000 in grant support to help cover lost wages and expenses. The program is modeled after similar efforts in states like Georgia and South Carolina.

In efforts to strengthen elder care, lawmakers approved the expansion of the TennCare PACE program (Program of All-Inclusive Care for the Elderly). The legislation authorizes the creation of a PACE program in one of the state’s Grand Divisions that did not previously have one, along with an expansion in Hamilton County. PACE provides coordinated, comprehensive care for elderly individuals who require nursing-level support while allowing them to remain in their communities.

Senator Hensley said these measures reflect a commitment to protecting life, supporting families, and expanding access to critical services for Tennessee residents.