TennesseeHB 1692114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36 and Title 37, relative to adoption.

Sponsored By: Michele Reneau (Republican)

Became Law

Adoption

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Home study waiver for some non-relative adoptions

Courts in Tennessee can waive the normal adoption home study when you are not related to the child. This applies when the child has lived in your home for at least 12 months and you have custody from a final court order after a full hearing. Your waiver petition must include a current criminal history check from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation and a current search of the Tennessee sexual and violent offender registry. The court may waive the study only if the record shows this is in the child’s best interest, and it must issue a written order with specific findings.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

Michele Reneau
Republican • House

Cosponsors

Rush Bricken
Republican • House
Gino Bulso
Republican • House
Ed Butler
Republican • House
Scott Cepicky
Republican • House
Elaine Davis
Republican • House
Rick Eldridge
Republican • House
Torrey C. Harris
Democrat • House
Kelly Keisling
Republican • House
Justin J. Pearson
Democrat • House
Bill Powers
Republican • Senate
Paul Sherrell
Republican • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 133 • No: 12

Senate vote • 4/9/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/9/2026

Yes: 25 • No: 2

House vote • 4/8/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/8/2026

Yes: 86 • No: 7

House vote • 4/8/2026

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

House vote • 4/1/2026

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 17 • No: 3

House vote • 3/10/2026

HOUSE CHILDREN AND FAMILY AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 5 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

Pub. Ch. 878
5/5/2026
Effective date(s) 04/27/2026
5/5/2026
Signed by Governor.
4/27/2026
Transmitted to Governor for his action.
4/16/2026House
Signed by Senate Speaker
4/15/2026Senate
Signed by H. Speaker
4/14/2026House
Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/10/2026House
Received from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/9/2026Senate
Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/9/2026Senate
Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0759)
4/9/2026Senate
Passed Senate, Ayes 25, Nays 2, PNV 2
4/9/2026Senate
H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0980)
4/8/2026House
Passed H., as am., Ayes 86, Nays 7, PNV 2
4/8/2026House
Sponsor(s) Added.
4/8/2026House
Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/8/2026House
Sponsor(s) Added.
4/2/2026House
H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/8/2026
4/2/2026House
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/1/2026House
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/2/2026
4/1/2026House
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2026
3/25/2026House
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/1/2026
3/25/2026House
Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 3/25/2026
3/18/2026House
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/23/2026
3/18/2026House
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/18/2026
3/11/2026House
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
3/10/2026House

Bill Text

HA0980 (Substitute)
4/8/2026
PDF
Enrolled / Public Chapter
PDF
Fiscal Note
PDF
Introduced
PDF
SA0759
PDF

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