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 Official data
- Introduced
- In committee
- Passed one chamber
- Passed both chambers
- Enacted
Last official action: ·Record last updated:
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.
Generated automatically from the official title, sponsor list, and status record only. It does not characterize the bill’s purpose or effects. How summaries are written
Sponsors
Sponsors by party (alphabetical): Democratic 1
| Name | Role | Party | Chamber | District |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| London Lamar | Primary sponsor | Democratic | Senate | 33 |
“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.
Recent official actions
- Pub. Ch. 666
- Effective date(s) 04/07/2026
- Signed by Governor.
- Transmitted to Governor for action.
- Signed by H. Speaker
- Signed by Senate Speaker
- Enrolled and ready for signatures
- Subst. for comp. HB.
- Passed H., Ayes 87, Nays 0, PNV 0
- Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Sponsor(s) Added.
- Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0500)
Showing 12 most recent of 20 actions. Full history