Bill > HB0491

This bill amends Tennessee law to expand the list of pharmaceutical and healthcare companies that can be released from legal claims related to the opioid crisis. Specifically, the bill allows the state's attorney general, with written approval from the governor and comptroller, to release pending or future claims against several additional companies, including Amneal Pharmaceuticals, Hikma Pharmaceuticals, Sun Pharmaceutical Industries, Indivior Inc., Viatris Inc., and Purdue Pharma L.P. The bill also modifies how settlement proceeds from these opioid-related legal actions will be distributed, mandating that 35% of the funds be distributed to counties that join the settlement and the remaining 65% be used for statewide, regional, or local opioid abatement and remediation efforts. This legislation is part of Tennessee's broader strategy to address the opioid epidemic by resolving legal claims against pharmaceutical companies and directing settlement funds toward addressing the impacts of opioid addiction. The bill takes effect immediately upon becoming law and includes a severability clause to ensure that if any part of the act is found invalid, the rest of the law can still be implemented.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0491&ga=114