HB 1709

This bill requires verification that a person is a United States citizen or qualified alien before the applicant can be issued various licenses, permits, certifications, authorizations, or registrations. As used in such provision, a "qualified alien"" me ans a qualified alien as defined by federal law or an alien or nonimmigrant eligible to receive state or local public benefits under federal law. The requirements of this bill apply to all of the following:  Licenses to become a court reporter.  Licenses to practice law, if requirements are approved by the supreme court.  Professional licenses issued by the department of children's services.  Aeronautics instructor licenses.  Professional licenses issued by the department of agriculture.  Licenses to do business as a livestock dealer.  Certificates from the beekeeper certification program.  Licenses to engage in the business of custom hatching, producing baby chicks for sale, or selling or offering baby chicks for sale.  Licenses to operate as a dealer to buy or sell dogs or cats, including licenses to sell dogs or cats to research facilities, licenses to sell dogs or cats for resale, licenses to buy dogs or cats for resale, and licenses to transport dogs or cats in commerce.  Licenses issued by the department of financial institutions.  Registration as a provider of debt-management services.  Licenses to be a certified public weigher.  Licenses to be a public weighmaster.  Professional licenses issued by the department of education, including licenses to teach and emergency teaching credentials.  Licenses issued by the department of disability and aging, including those to operate a service or facility that provides intellectual disability, developmental disability, or personal support services.  License to manufacture, process, pack, or hold food for introduction into commerce.  Licenses issued pursuant to the Dairy Law of the State of Tennessee.  Licenses to operate an establishment for the slaughtering of livestock or poultry.  Licenses to process livestock, deer, poultry, or another's animal for use or consumption.  Licenses to manufacture, obtain, possess, dispose, or administer legend drugs, or controlled substance analogues, for the purpose of scientific research, instruction, or chemical analysis.  License to do business as an automotive mobility dealer.  Licenses to sell, solicit, or negotiate insurance.  Licenses to operate a mine.  Certificates of qualification to be a mine foreman.  Licenses to produce fuel alcohol.  Licenses, certifications, and registrations issued by the department of commerce and insurance, including (i) licenses to operate an investigations company, (ii) private investigator licenses, (iii) polygraph examiners licenses, (iv) licenses to operate a contract security company, and (iv) registration cards for armed and unarmed security guards or officers.  Licenses for alcohol and drug abuse counselors.  Permits to operate as a manufacturer, distributor, retailer, or seasonal retailer of fireworks.  Licenses to operate as a petroleum gas dealer.  Licenses issued under the Emergency Medical Services Act of 1983.  Certifications to operate a water supply system, wastewater system, water treatment plant, wastewater treatment plant, water distribution system, or wastewater collection system.  Professional licenses issued by the department of human services. LICENSES OR PERMITS TO DISTRIBUTE OR MANUFACTURE INTOXICATING LIQUORS If the applicant is a United States citizen, is a qualified alien, or has a valid J-1 or F-1 student visa, then this bill provides that the following applicants are eligible for such license or permit:  Applicants for a professional license or permit under the Intoxicating Liquor Sales Law.  Applicants for a permit to sell, distribute, or manufacture beer.  Applicants for a license to manufacture, distribute, or sell hemp derived cannabinoid products. LICENSES TO PRACTICE THE HEALING ARTS This bill provides that persons are eligible for a license or certification for a profession of the healing arts if such person is a United States citizen or a qualified alien. This includes applications to practice as a physician, dentist, psychological examiner, certified psychological assistant, certified psychological testing technician, and veterinary medicine. Applicants to be licensed as a physician are eligible if they have applied for a valid visa that would authorize the applicant to work in t he United States under federal law. Applicants to practice dentistry, medicine, and veterinary medicine are also eligible to be licensed if they are citizens of Canada. DISPENSING OPTICIANS In order to be eligible for a license as a dispensing optician, this bill requires an applicant to (i) be of good moral character, (ii) be 18 or older, (iii) have satisfactorily completed not less than two years of proper schooling as recognized by the bo ard, and (iv) have practical training and experience satisfactory to the board as an apprentice under a dispensing optician, optometrist, or ophthalmologist. APPLICABILITY This bill applies to licenses, permits, certifications, authorizations, or registrations applied for, or renewed, on or after the date that this bill becomes law. ON APRIL 21, 2026, THE HOUSE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 1709, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 makes the following changes:  Requires each licensing agency operating under the division of health related board to submit a report on (i) the number of individuals who applied for a federal, state, or local public benefit, and were determined upon receipt of final verification not to be a citizen of the United States, a qualified alien, or a person who holds a valid legal immigration or visa status; (ii) the number of individuals for whom a final verification was received indicating the individual is not a citizen of the United States, qualified alien, or a person who holds a valid legal immigration or visa status, and for whom the entity or department terminate a recurring federal, state, or local public benefit; and (iii) the cost of providing the federal, state, or local public benefit to such persons. Upon submission of such report, the licensing agency must automatically and immediately revoke the license of a licensee, and send written notice of such revocation to the licensee. The licensee may apply for a new license upon obtaining United States citizenship or qualified alien status. This provision only becomes effective upon HB 1711 / SB 2108 becoming a law.  Eliminates the requirement that an applicant for a license to practice as a dentist be a citizen of Canada or meet the eligibility requirements provided in the bill.  Eliminates the requirement that an applicant for a license to practice medicine or surgery be a citizen of Canada or meet the eligibility requirements provided in the bill. Instead, the applicant must provide evidence of being legally entitled to live or work in the United States, if such person is not a citizen of the United States or Canada.  Eliminates the requirement that an applicant for a license to practice veterinary medicine be a citizen of Canada or meet the eligibility requirements provided in the bill. Instead, the applicant must provide proof of being a citizen of the United States or Canada or legally entitled to live within the United States.  Requires an applicant for a license as a alcohol and drug abuse counselor, or a license or certificate to transport patients to meet the eligibility requirements of this bill. ON APRIL 21, 2026, THE SENATE SUBSTITUTED HOUSE BILL 1709 FOR SENATE BILL 1901, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #2, AND PASSED HOUSE BILL 1709, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #2 removes provisions in present law regarding citizenship requirements for licenses issued to persons wishing to practice medicine or surgery, veterinary medicine, and as a dental hygienist in this state as those professions are now subject to the general requirement in the bill that a person seeking a license must be a United States citizen or qualified alien."