Legislative Action Impacting TN Occupational Therapy Practitioners

TNOTA has been advised by our lobbyist about a matter that needs urgent attention and action, and we are asking for your help! There is a bill going through the Tennessee state legislature right now that has the potential to severely impact the work of OT practitioners in the state, our clients, and others. Please read the following and respond as soon as possible (today if you can!). It will take approximately 10 minutes to complete the response once you have read through the information.

Concern: The following TN bill (Tennessee House Bill 0387/Senate Bill 0474) proposes that healthcare providers be prohibited from asking patients about ownership, possession, or access to firearms, ammunition, or related accessories. Violating this prohibition would subject the healthcare provider to disciplinary action and a $1,000 fine. The bill seeks to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Titles 63 and 68. The primary legislator who proposed and is pushing for this legislation is Rep. Ed Butler. Our lobbyist is recommending that we contact him and our own representatives as soon as possible about this time-sensitive issue.

Call to Action: You can make a difference in the lives of those receiving OT services and the citizens of Tennessee by taking 10 minutes to do the following:

• Go to this website to verify who your representatives are based on your home address: Find My TN Legislator
• Once you have entered your address in the search bar and see the information about your district and those legislators, click in the area shown in the image below to email or call your representatives by March 7, 2025, using the script below the image as a guide.

If you will be writing a letter or sending an email to oppose this bill, below is a template with suggested language: 

Hello, My name is [INSERT YOUR FULL NAME], and I’m a constituent from [insert your city/district]. As a licensed healthcare provider in TN, I’m reaching out to urge [legislator’s name] to oppose HB 0387 and SB 0474 which severely limit health professionals like me to provide effective care for our patients.

I oppose HB 0387 in the House and SB 0474 in the Senate which seek to prohibit healthcare providers from addressing firearm access which is the most common means of suicide by far. Occupational therapy practitioners like myself are trained to address the holistic needs of our patients, including their mental health and emotional well-being. Suicide prevention is a key area where occupational therapy professionals can make a significant impact. Research consistently shows that access to firearms is a major risk factor in suicide attempts, particularly in Tennessee, where firearm ownership is prevalent. By asking about firearm ownership in a clinical context, we are not infringing on rights—we are taking proactive steps to assess risk, provide education, and implement safety measures that can save lives.

HB 0387 and SB 0474 would severely limit our ability to have these crucial conversations with patients. This restriction undermines our professional judgment and diminishes the quality of care we can provide. It also places our patients at greater risk, particularly those who may be experiencing mental health crises or other vulnerabilities.

[Optional: Personalize your message. Explain what these services mean to you, your family and community, and your work as an current or future OT practitioner working in the state of Tennessee.]

Thank you for your consideration and time in addressing this urgent and very important matter.

Sincerely,

[Your name, home address, email address, and phone number and, if desired, your professional position or affiliation]

If you will be calling your representatives to oppose this bill, below is a list of sample talking points:

• "As an occupational therapy practitioner, I am deeply concerned about the impact of HB 0387 and SB 0474 on my ability to provide safe and effective care to my patients."
• "This legislation would prevent me from having critical conversations about firearm safety, particularly with patients who may be at risk of suicide or other harm."
• "Suicide prevention is a key part of my role as a healthcare provider, and this legislation would interfere with my ability to protect my patients."
• "I urge you to reject HB 0387 and SB 0474 to ensure that healthcare providers in Tennessee can continue to deliver the highest standard of care."

If you will be leaving a voicemail, please leave your full street address to ensure your call is accurately tallied.

The Importance of Our Collective Voices

The Tennessee Occupational Therapy Association is committed to supporting our members in this advocacy effort. If you need assistance in contacting your legislators or crafting your message, please do not hesitate to reach out to us. Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and that our patients receive the care they deserve.

Thank you for your dedication to our profession and to the well-being of our patients. Let us stand united in opposing these harmful bills and advocating for policies that prioritize patient safety and quality care.

Time is of the essence. Please reach out to your legislators as soon as possible to ensure our concerns are heard before these bills advance further. Your advocacy matters!