PRIA Logo™
TennesseeHB 2262114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37 and Title 71, relative to investigations.

Sponsored By: Greg Martin (Republican)

Signed by Governor

Children's Services, Dept. of

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.

Free to start

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

4 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Immediate investigations for child harm or abuse

Beginning January 1, 2027, DCS investigates any report that alleges actual harm or sexual abuse. Child protective services investigators handle the case, as available. DCS may also do an assessment at the same time. If, during services, DCS later finds an investigation is required, it starts right away and tells the district attorney general and law enforcement.

Caregiver definition clarified for child welfare

Beginning January 1, 2027, the law clarifies who counts as a caregiver. The term matches the definitions already used in two other child‑welfare laws.

Assessments with voluntary family services

Beginning January 1, 2027, if DCS chooses an assessment, it explains the process in writing and aloud. Staff gather information from the family and other sources. They meet face to face as needed and contact a missing parent quickly. The written assessment follows policy and finishes within 90 days. Afterward, DCS talks with the family about public, private, or faith-based services. DCS offers services when they fit, but cannot force participation. If you refuse and give no good alternative, DCS reviews next steps and notes the refusal for future actions. If DCS only makes a referral without an assessment, you may refuse; the case then closes unless DCS reclassifies it for assessment or investigation. Families are told that refusals may be considered on future reports.

Standard screening for child harm reports

Beginning January 1, 2027, the Department of Children’s Services uses a screening tool on every report of harm. The tool is used for reports that involve a caregiver. If the report does not claim actual harm or sexual abuse, DCS decides the child’s risk. DCS then picks one of four actions: an investigation, an assessment with referrals, a referral only, or no further action.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsor

  • Greg Martin

    Republican • House

Cosponsors

  • Scott Cepicky

    Republican • House

  • G.A. Hardaway

    Democrat • House

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 149 • No: 0

House vote • 4/2/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/2/2026

Yes: 93 • No: 0

House vote • 4/2/2026

HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE

Yes: 0 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/2/2026

FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration 4/2/2026

Yes: 31 • No: 0

House vote • 3/23/2026

HOUSE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 19 • No: 0

House vote • 3/17/2026

HOUSE CHILDREN AND FAMILY AFFAIRS SUBCOMMITTEE

Yes: 6 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Signed by Governor.

    4/16/2026

  2. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    4/7/2026House

  3. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/6/2026House

  4. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/6/2026Senate

  5. H. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA0767)

    4/2/2026House

  6. Passed H., as am., Ayes 93, Nays 0, PNV 0

    4/2/2026House

  7. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/2/2026House

  8. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/2/2026House

  9. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/2/2026Senate

  10. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/2/2026Senate

  11. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0767)

    4/2/2026Senate

  12. Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0

    4/2/2026Senate

  13. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

    4/2/2026House

  14. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/2/2026

    3/26/2026House

  15. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026

    3/25/2026House

  16. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

    3/23/2026House

  17. Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/23/2026

    3/18/2026House

  18. Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee

    3/17/2026House

  19. Placed on s/c cal Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee for 3/17/2026

    3/11/2026House

  20. Action Def. in s/c Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee to 3/17/2026

    3/10/2026House

  21. Placed on s/c cal Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee for 3/10/2026

    3/4/2026House

  22. P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee

    2/5/2026House

  23. Assigned to s/c Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee

    2/5/2026House

  24. Intro., P1C.

    2/4/2026House

  25. Filed for introduction

    2/2/2026House

Bill Text

  • HA0767 (Substitute)

    4/2/2026

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0767

    PDF

Related Bills

Back to State Legislation