All Roll Calls
Yes: 189 • No: 3
TennesseeHB 2081114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37; Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40, relative to abuse of children.
Sponsored By: Mary Littleton, Mary (Republican)
Became Law
Children
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
3 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Strangulation added to child abuse and sentencing laws
Beginning July 1, 2026, state law treats strangulation as child abuse and as an aggravating factor at sentencing. Prosecutors and judges can consider strangulation for tougher penalties. This strengthens protections for children and accountability for abusers.
Court orders for infants with NAS
If a child under one is found dependent and neglected and has neonatal abstinence syndrome diagnosed by a licensed doctor, the court can order health‑care compliance records. You must show proof of well‑child visits and shots on the pediatric schedule until age one. The court can also order regular drug tests at your expense if the records include allegations of substance misuse. If the records include allegations of abuse or neglect, the department may visit to check on the child.
Stronger child abuse commission oversight
The law adds two commission members: the mental health commissioner (or designee) and an at‑large child advocate chosen by the co‑chairs. It clarifies who appoints these new seats. It also makes clear the statute covers providing services to dependent and neglected youth, not just child protective teams. Beginning January 1, 2027, the commission must send yearly reports, with the first due by July 1, 2027, to the governor and key legislative committees.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsor
Mary Littleton, Mary
Republican • House
Cosponsors
Yusuf Hakeem, Yusuf
Democrat • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/22/2026
FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/22/2026
Yes: 30 • No: 0
House vote • 4/21/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026
Yes: 86 • No: 2
House vote • 4/20/2026
HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 4/17/2026
HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Yes: 26 • No: 0
House vote • 4/17/2026
HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE
Yes: 13 • No: 0
House vote • 4/6/2026
HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Yes: 11 • No: 0
House vote • 4/1/2026
HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Yes: 14 • No: 1
House vote • 3/25/2026
HOUSE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SUBCOMMITTEE
Yes: 9 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Pub. Ch. 1003
5/26/2026Effective date(s) 05/19/2026, 07/01/2026, 01/01/2027
5/26/2026Signed by Governor.
5/19/2026Transmitted to Governor for his action.
5/7/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
5/5/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/30/2026HouseEnrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/28/2026HouseReceived from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/22/2026SenateSenate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/22/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0910)
4/22/2026SenatePassed Senate, Ayes 30, Nays 0
4/22/2026SenateH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0992)
4/21/2026HousePassed H., as am., Ayes 86, Nays 2, PNV 0
4/21/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
4/21/2026HouseEngrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/21/2026HouseH. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026
4/16/2026HousePlaced on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/15/2026
4/15/2026HouseRec for adopt by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
4/15/2026HousePlaced on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/15/2026
4/15/2026HouseRec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/15/2026HousePlaced on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/16/2026
4/15/2026HousePlaced behind the budget
4/8/2026HousePlaced on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/14/2026
4/8/2026HouseRec. for pass; ref to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
4/6/2026HouseAssigned to s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee
4/6/2026House
Bill Text
HA0992 (Substitute)
4/21/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA0910
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