Advocate
Legislative Information
The Public Policy Committee exists to advance the advocacy goals of the TLPCA at the local, state, and federal levels.
With over 1,000 bills typically filed every state legislative session, many of which might impact counselors and clients, your Public Policy Committee must take care to focus our efforts strategically.
TLPCA’s legislative focus is to protect and promote the interests of Tennessee counselors and clients, especially those who face systemic oppression and historic marginalization.
Want to get involved?
- Become a member and help us shape the future of counseling in Tennessee!
- Communicate with your TLPCA Regional Representative about legislation you’d like to see TLPCA support or oppose.
- Get connected to be in-the-know about legislative updates and calls-to-action!
Want to learn more about the legislative process?
2026 Legislative Session Information
The 2026 legislative session includes several bills impacting counseling professionals in Tennessee. TLPCA is actively monitoring and engaging in legislation to support the profession, clarify licensure, and protect access to care.
Key bills include HB 1917/ SB 2399, addressing licensure structure and alignment with national standards, and SB 2227/ HB 2539, which included provisions impacting the LPC Board.
To support understanding of HB 1917/ SB 2399, TLPCA has developed an FAQ document to clarify the proposed changes and address common questions.
Updates and additional resources will be shared as the session continues.
TLPCA 2025 Legislative Session
TLPCA remains committed to advocating for the interests of mental health professionals across the state. We are laying the groundwork for a productive 2025 legislative session by closely tracking upcoming bills and budgetary proposals that may impact counseling professionals statewide. TLPCA’s Public Policy Committee is charged with reviewing potential policy changes, coordinating with allied mental health groups, and engaging in discussions with key lawmakers to ensure that counselor perspectives and client needs are represented. Through these efforts, TLPCA aims to protect professional standards, enhance mental health services, and influence legislation in a manner that benefits both counselors and the Tennesseans they serve.
Please see attached for the most recent 2025 bill tracking:
2024 Day on the Hill
Legislative Update: 1/31/17
After a season of collecting additional information, the TLPCA Board Officers are in opposition of SB0001. The reasons for the opposition to the proposed legislation are as follows: It singles out professional counselors in a discriminatory manner from other...
Legislative Information
Become an Advocate for Your Profession - Becoming advocates for our profession and for our clients is a crucial part of the professional responsibility of the Licensed Professional Counselor. However, many of us are unsure how to take steps to advocate for our needs....
