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House updates Right to Try law to allow individualized genetic investigational treatments
Summary
Senate Bill 282, an update to Tennessee’s Right to Try law, was approved on third reading. Sponsors said the bill would allow eligible terminally ill or severely debilitated patients to request individualized investigational treatments based on their genetic profiles; debate on the floor was brief.
The Tennessee House approved Senate Bill 282 on third and final consideration after Chairman Terry explained the bill updates the state’s Right to Try law to account for advances in genetic medicine.
Chairman Terry said the measure permits eligible terminally ill or severely debilitated patients to request access to individualized investigational treatments tailored to the patient’s genetic profile, and authorizes a manufacturer within an eligible facility to make such a treatment available consistent with federal assurances and regulations. “Because of medical advancements in genetic medicine, the Right to Try act needs to be updated,” Terry said. “...it allows those terminally ill or severely debilitated patients to request access to an individualized investigational treatment based on the patient’s own genetic profile.”
Floor action: After the sponsor’s explanation, the House voted without extended debate. The roll-call tally recorded in the transcript showed 85 yeas, 5 nays and 3 present/not voting; the presiding officer declared the bill received a constitutional majority and passed.
Supporters framed the bill as an update to bring state law into alignment with advances in individualized genetic therapies; the transcript shows no extended floor opposition or amendments during third-reading debate.
Ending: With House passage recorded in the session transcript, SB 282 moves forward in the legislative process; the bill’s practical effect will depend on implementing guidance and compliance with federal rules for investigational treatments.
