Tennessee House Expands 'Duty To Warn' Of Mental Health Dangers To All Health Care Workers

Tennessee, a very conservative state, is adjusting their mental health laws in the wake of the Covenant School shooting incident which occurred in Nashville last spring:

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/BillInfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB7084&GA=113

https://fox17.com/news/local/tennessee-house-passes-bill-expanding-duty-to-warn-to-all-healthcare-providers-mental-health-legislation#

Tennessee House passes bill expanding 'Duty to Warn' to all healthcare providers
By WZTV - February 23, 2024

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) — Tennessee continues in its ongoing efforts to pass mental health reform laws.

This week the full state House passed a bill that expands the Tennessee 'Duty to Warn' law.

Right now, mental health professionals are required to sound the alarm if they have a patient who is a threat, specifically if they have made threatening statements. This amendment expands that to all healthcare professionals.

The bill states, "As introduced, expands the duty to warn of an actual threat of bodily harm to include all healthcare providers, not just mental health professionals and behavior analysts."

It is hoped this measure will help prevent tragedies like the three children and three staff members killed by a gunman who had a history of mental illness at the Covenant School in Nashville last spring.

"They now have the flexibility and the responsibility to be able to report that individual to law enforcement or additional mental health professionals so they can get help, and it improves the safety of our state," said Rep. William Lamberth.

In order to become law, this bill still has to pass the state Senate and be signed by the governor, but House leaders are optimistic.

The Tennessee House bill, HB 7084, can be read at the hyperlink above the article.