Tennessee · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026) · Bill

SB 1597: Vital Records - As enacted, enacts "April's Law of 2026," which authorizes a surviving parent, in addition to another next of kin, to formally disagree with the county medical examiner's determination that the manner of death for the parent's child was suicide and request reconsideration from the state chief medical examiner; allows the other parent of a child of the decedent to request a copy of the decedent's death certificate if the child is under 18. - Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 68.

Enacted Last action April 27, 2026: Pub. Ch. 666

Plain-language summary

SB 1597 is a bill introduced in the Tennessee Senate on January 12, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: Vital Records - As enacted, enacts "April's Law of 2026," which authorizes a surviving parent, in addition to another next of kin, to formally disagree with the county medical examiner's determination that the manner of death for the parent's child was suicide and request reconsideration from the state chief medical examiner; allows the other parent of a child of the decedent to request a copy of the decedent's death certificate if the child is under 18. - Amends TCA Title 38 and Title 68. Primary sponsor: London Lamar (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (April 27, 2026): Pub. Ch. 666.

Sponsors

Primary sponsor: London Lamar (Democratic).