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

SB 1697: DNA and Genetic Testing - As enacted, directs the department of health to test for the presence of sickle cell trait in each newborn and, if the test results are positive for sickle cell trait, to notify the parent or legal guardian of the newborn tested as soon as practicable. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 5.

In committee Official data

  1. Introduced
  2. In committee
  3. Passed one chamber
  4. Passed both chambers
  5. Enacted

Last official action: ·Record last updated:

Plain-language summary

SB 1697 is a bill introduced in the Tennessee Senate on January 15, 2026. According to its official title, it concerns: DNA and Genetic Testing - As enacted, directs the department of health to test for the presence of sickle cell trait in each newborn and, if the test results are positive for sickle cell trait, to notify the parent or legal guardian of the newborn tested as soon as practicable. - Amends TCA Title 68, Chapter 5. Primary sponsor: Raumesh Akbari (Democratic). Most recent recorded action (April 27, 2026): Comp. became Pub. Ch. 773.

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

NameRolePartyChamberDistrict
Raumesh AkbariPrimary sponsorDemocraticSenate29

“Support” is shown only as formal sponsorship recorded by the legislature. Roll-call votes are available on the official bill page.

Recent official actions

  1. Comp. became Pub. Ch. 773
  2. Companion House Bill substituted
  3. Sponsor(s) Added.
  4. Placed on Senate Consent Calendar 2 for 4/6/2026
  5. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee
  6. Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 4/1/2026
  7. Reset on Final calendar of Senate Health and Welfare Committee
  8. Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026
  9. Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/18/2026
  10. Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
  11. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee
  12. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

Showing 12 most recent of 13 actions. Full history

Sources

  1. Open States / Plural (data from the official legislature website)
  2. Official legislature source