Nashville, TN – April 2, 2025 – Governor Lee has signed into law the Support for Recovery bill (Senate Bill 619/House Bill 657), now designated as Public Chapter 100 on March 28, 2025. This law amends the Health Care Consumer Right-to-Know Act to provide a pathway for certain healthcare providers in recovery to seek the removal of past disciplinary action information from public-facing licensure verification websites. With sponsorship from Senator Bobby Harshbarger and Representative Tim Hicks, collaboration with the Tennessee Medical Association, and the grassroots advocacy of hundreds of Tennessee Pharmacists Association (TPA) members, Public Chapter 100 will be effective July 1, 2025.
The legislation supports healthcare professionals who have successfully completed a peer assistance program for substance use by allowing a petition process that enables eligible providers to request the removal of specific disciplinary information from public view five years after completing a state-approved peer assistance or treatment program.
“This new law reflects a thoughtful balance between public transparency and supporting long-term recovery for our healthcare workforce. It gives providers who have committed to treatment and rehabilitation a chance to move forward while maintaining the public’s right to important healthcare information,” reflects Anthony Pudlo, TPA’s CEO.
Key Provisions of the Law:
- Allows healthcare providers who have had disciplinary actions taken against their licenses due to substance use issues—and who have completed a relevant peer assistance or treatment program—to petition their licensing board to remove related information from public-facing licensure websites.
- The petition can be submitted five years after successful completion of the treatment program, as documented in the board’s consent order. The bill originally required a 10-year wait but was amended and passed in the House on March 10, 2025, shortening the waiting period and clarifying definitions, including specifying the type of treatment program as one addressing substance use disorder.
- While the adverse action will no longer appear on the license verification website, the underlying order will remain a public record, ensuring legal and professional transparency.
- Authorizes the regulatory board of that healthcare profession to promulgate rules necessary to implement and manage the petition process.
Tennessee PharmPAC and TPA General Advocacy Fund
Legislative victories do not happen without hard work, determination, and financial support. TPA needs your support of the PharmPAC or the General Advocacy Fund.
The PharmPAC’s primary purpose is to provide financial assistance to candidates for public office who support the profession of pharmacy and recognize the value of quality care and services.
The General Advocacy Fund allows for contributions to TPA’s overall advocacy strategy and activities, including our Pharmacy Day on the Hill programming, contract lobbyists, and marketing and advocacy tools.
About The Tennessee Pharmacists Association
The Tennessee Pharmacists Association represents the profession of pharmacy across the state, united for the purpose of promoting safe and effective medication use to improve the health of patients. Since 1886, the Tennessee Pharmacists Association has preserved and advanced the interests of the profession and has served the professional needs of all pharmacists, student pharmacists, and pharmacy technicians. For more information, please visit tnpharm.org.