Image Credit: TN General Assembly
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
After already having passed in the Tennessee Senate, a bill that creates a mental health home visiting program for children and their families starting from birth passed in the state House last week in a 71 to 17 vote.
Although sponsor of House Bill 2313 Representative David Hawk (R-Greeneville-District 5) emphasized the voluntary nature of the legislation during his introduction, sixteen Republicans voted against the proposal with four more choosing to abstain.
Some Tennesseans had concerns over whether the proposed program would truly be voluntary once parents agreed to opt in as Representative Mike Sparks (R-Smyrna-District 49) brought up during discussion of the bill.
Republicans voting no were Representatives Jody Barrett (R-Dickson-District 69), Gino Bulso (R-Brentwood-District 61), Ed Butler (R-Rickman-District 41), Kip Capley (R-Summertown-District 71), Scott Cepickey (R-Culleoka-District 64), Monty Fritts (R-Kingston-District 32), Bud Hulsey (R-Kingsport-District 2), Chris Hurt (R-Halls-District 82), Brock Martin (R-Huntingdon-District 79), Jake McCalmon (R-Franklin-District 63), Michele Reneau (R-Signal Mountain-District 27), Tim Rudd (R-Murfreesboro-District 34), Lowell Russell (R-Vonore-District 21), William Slater (R-Gallatin-35), Greg Vital (R-Harrison-District 29), and Todd Warner (R-Chapel Hill-District 92).
Republican Representatives who were present but did not vote were Kirk Haston (R-Lobelville-District 72), Justin Lafferty (R-Knoxville-District 89), Iris Rudder (R-Winchester-District 39), and Paul Sherell (R-Sparta-District 43).
Hawk said that the proposed program under the Tennessee Department of Health is a model of an existing Home Visiting Program.
According to the sponsor, the new program is aimed at families experiencing or at risk for mental health challenges who have children under five-years-old and seeks to deliver in-home screening, caregiver supports, parenting strategies, attachment building, and access to resources “right where families live” and as Hawk stated “before any concerns may escalate or become more costly to address.”
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
