Tennessee Senate Bill SB0680

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/25
• Engrossed: 2/24/25
• Enrolled: 4/1/25
• Passed: 4/11/25
• Chaptered: 4/30/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49 and Title 68, relative to diabetes.

Impact

The bill mandates collaboration between the Department of Education and the Department of Health to develop a comprehensive publication detailing Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. By July 31, 2025, this publication will be made available for LEAs to disseminate to parents and guardians of students, thus reinforcing the importance of health education within the school setting. The inclusion of diabetes topics in school communications aims to elevate the knowledge of students' families regarding this chronic disease, which may have long-lasting benefits for public health.

Summary

Senate Bill 680 aims to enhance the awareness and education of diabetes for parents and guardians of students in kindergarten through twelfth grade (K-12) in Tennessee. The bill mandates that, starting August 1, 2025, local education agencies (LEAs) and public charter schools must provide information on diabetes alongside other health-related information they distribute. This initiative intends to ensure that families are aware of diabetes risk factors, symptoms, and screening processes, thus promoting early detection and management of the condition.

Contention

While the bill is largely seen as beneficial in enhancing diabetes awareness, there may be concerns regarding the logistics of implementation at the school level. Schools and parents must be adequately informed and prepared to understand and utilize the information about diabetes effectively, which could raise questions about the adequacy of resources and training available to school staff. Furthermore, some might argue about the mandate's implications on educational institutions which already face numerous regulations and requirements.