All Roll Calls
Yes: 133 • No: 12
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, Michele (Republican)
Became Law
Adoption
Your PRIA Score
Score Hidden
Personalized for You
How does this bill affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this bill and every other piece of legislation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
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, Michele
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Rush Bricken, Rush
Republican • House
Gino Bulso, Gino
Republican • House
Ed Butler, Ed
Republican • House
Scott Cepicky, Scott
Republican • House
Elaine Davis, Elaine
Republican • House
Rick Eldridge, Rick
Republican • House
Torrey C. Harris, Torrey C.
Democrat • House
Kelly Keisling, Kelly
Republican • House
Justin J. Pearson, Justin J.
Democrat • House
Bill Powers, Bill
Republican • Senate
Paul Sherrell, Paul
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
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
5/5/2026Effective date(s) 04/27/2026
5/5/2026Signed by Governor.
4/27/2026Transmitted to Governor for his action.
4/16/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
4/15/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/14/2026HouseEnrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/10/2026HouseReceived from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/9/2026SenateSenate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/9/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0759)
4/9/2026SenatePassed Senate, Ayes 25, Nays 2, PNV 2
4/9/2026SenateH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0980)
4/8/2026HousePassed H., as am., Ayes 86, Nays 7, PNV 2
4/8/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
4/8/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/8/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
4/2/2026HouseH. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/8/2026
4/2/2026HouseRec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/1/2026HousePlaced on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/2/2026
4/1/2026HouseAction def. in Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2026
3/25/2026HousePlaced on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/1/2026
3/25/2026HouseAction def. in Judiciary Committee to 3/25/2026
3/18/2026HousePlaced on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/23/2026
3/18/2026HousePlaced on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/18/2026
3/11/2026HouseRec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
3/10/2026House
Bill Text
HA0980 (Substitute)
4/8/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA0759
Related Bills
SB 1748 — AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 55 and Title 65, Chapter 15, relative to commercial driver licenses.
SB 2690 — AN ACT to make appropriations for the purpose of defraying the expenses of the state government for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026, in the administration, operation and maintenance of the legislative, executive and judicial branches of the various departments, institutions, offices and agencies of the state; for certain state aid and obligations; for capital outlay, for the service of the public debt, for emergency and contingency; to repeal certain appropriations and any acts inconsistent herewith; to provide provisional continuing appropriations; and to establish certain provisions, limitations and restrictions under which appropriations may be obligated and expended. This act makes appropriations for the purposes described above for the fiscal years beginning July 1, 2025, and July 1, 2026.
SB 2509 — AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 13, Chapter 7 and Title 71, Chapter 3, relative to childcare agencies.
SB 2431 — AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to health facility regulation.
SB 2419 — AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 68, relative to fireworks.
SB 2403 — AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4, Chapter 29 and Title 49, relative to education.