Bill > HB1157

This bill, known as the "Restore Trust in Public Health Messaging Act," establishes strict regulations on how Tennessee state and local health departments, as well as the state executive branch, can communicate about FDA-regulated medical products like vaccines, masks, and emergency use authorized products. The bill requires that all public health messaging must strictly adhere to FDA-approved labeling, prohibiting statements that conflict with or do not accurately reflect official product information. State health entities must create an internal review process by July 1, 2025, to ensure compliance and submit annual reports detailing their efforts. The bill mandates that by January 15, 2026, all existing informational materials that do not conform to these standards must be removed from public distribution. Violations can result in significant penalties, including potential termination of employment for individuals and civil penalties up to $50,000 or three times the amount of misused state resources for organizations. The law also provides a mechanism for individuals to report potential violations to the attorney general, who will establish a process to investigate and address such complaints. Importantly, the bill defines key terms like "FDA-approved" and "emergency use authorized product" to provide clarity on the precise standards for public health communications.

Health and Social Services

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1157&ga=114