Bill > SB2118

This bill amends Tennessee law to prohibit the state's TennCare program, which provides health coverage for low-income individuals, from covering or reimbursing medical procedures performed for the purpose of helping someone identify with or live as a gender different from their sex assigned at birth, or to treat distress related to this discordance. The bill defines "sex" as immutable characteristics of the reproductive system determined by anatomy and genetics at birth, and explicitly excludes conditions like gender dysphoria from being considered a "disease" for the purpose of medical exceptions. However, it provides exceptions for procedures necessary to treat congenital defects, precocious puberty, disease, or physical injury, as well as for procedures that began before the bill's effective date and will conclude by March 31, 2027, provided a physician certifies that ending the treatment would be harmful. The bill takes effect on July 1, 2026.