TOP PHOTO:  State Representative Dennis Powers (left) at last week’s Extraordinary Session at Nashville.

NASHVILLE, TN (WLAF) – State Representative Dennis Powers said, “Although the Extraordinary Session last week called by the Governor was held in a shielded, sanitized House Floor in the Tennessee Legislature, there were three things that were accomplished: Telehealth, COVID-19 Liability and Protection for our First Responders.”

EXTRAORDINARY SESSION LEGISLATION OVERVIEW

Telehealth (HB0002)

This bill ensures all Tennesseeans have safe access to health care during the pandemic, and health care providers are adequately paid for these essential services they are providing.

  • Requires health insurance entities to reimburse telemedicine care at the same rate that an in-person doctor visit would cost in accordance with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid.
  • This proposal includes payment parity (equality) for 18 months post passage of legislation.
  • Includes state insurance plans and TennCare.
  • Requires an in-person visit with a health care provider or health care system within 16 months before a telemedicine visit.
  • Excludes: pain management clinics, chronic nonmalignant treatment, and veterinarians.

COVID-19 Liability (HB0001)

This bill is designed to protect individuals, businesses, and non-profits, large and small, from frivolous lawsuits related to COVID from individuals looking to take advantage of the pandemic.

  • Provides limited liability protection for health care providers, businesses, proprietors, non-profits, religious organizations, government entities, schools, and individuals.
  • Keeps legal courses available for individuals who commit gross negligence or willful misconduct.
  • Establishes procedural protections to weed out frivolous lawsuits, including heightening pleading standards and having a physician sign off on any claims of COVID exposure.
  • Suits filed at or after the call for the extraordinary session are eligible.

Protection of first responders and peaceful protests (HB0005)

This bill is designed to ensure peaceful protestors can be heard and protected from those who wish to capitalize on these movements for violent means while also strengthening protections for first responders and public property.

  • Creates a Class A misdemeanor offense of assault against a first responder. This will carry a mandatory minimum of 30 days in jail.
  • Creates a Class C felony offense for aggravated assault against a first responder. This will carry a mandatory minimum sentence of 90 days.
  • Clarifies existing law related to camping on state property (not just the Capitol).
    • 30-day minimum for participation in a riot that results in damage.
    • 45 day minimum for aggravated rioting  (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/18/2020-7:30AM)

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