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TennesseeHB 2262114th General Assembly (2025-2026)House

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

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Children's Services, Dept. of

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

New screening rules for child harm

Beginning January 1, 2027, Tennessee's Department of Children's Services must screen child harm reports using a tool it develops. For reports without claims of actual harm or sexual abuse, it must check the child's risk of mistreatment. It then chooses investigation, assessment with service referrals, service referrals alone, or no further action. Reports alleging actual harm or sexual abuse require investigation, using child protective services investigators to the extent available. For caregiver reports, an assessment can happen alongside the investigation. If an investigation becomes required during services, it must start immediately, with required notices to prosecutors and law enforcement. The law uses existing Tennessee legal definitions of caregiver.

Families can decline help, with consequences

Beginning January 1, 2027, the department must explain family assessments orally and in writing to parents, guardians, or caregivers. It must gather information from families and other sources, with face-to-face contact with the child and others as needed. If a parent is absent during child contact, it must contact the parent or guardian as soon as possible afterward. Written assessments must follow department rules and finish within 90 days. Afterward, the department must discuss available services with families and caregivers and offer help to meet identified needs. Services can come from the department, other public agencies, or private community groups, including faith-based groups; participation is optional. If families or caregivers do not cooperate or provide adequate alternatives, the department must review whether further action is needed. It must warn those declining services that refusal may affect future department action. For service-only referrals, refusal closes the case unless sufficient cause supports an investigation or assessment. The department must also warn that refusal may count when it reviews future harm reports.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Scott Cepicky

    Republican • House

  • T.J. 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. Effective date(s) 01/01/2027

    4/24/2026

  2. Pub. Ch. 762

    4/24/2026

  3. Signed by Governor.

    4/16/2026

  4. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

    4/7/2026House

  5. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/6/2026Senate

  6. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/6/2026House

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

    4/2/2026House

  8. Passed Senate, Ayes 31, Nays 0

    4/2/2026Senate

  9. Amendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA0767)

    4/2/2026Senate

  10. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

    4/2/2026Senate

  11. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

    4/2/2026Senate

  12. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

    4/2/2026House

  13. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/2/2026House

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

    4/2/2026House

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

    4/2/2026House

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

    3/26/2026House

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

    3/25/2026House

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

    3/23/2026House

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

    3/18/2026House

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

    3/17/2026House

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

    3/11/2026House

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

    3/10/2026House

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

    3/4/2026House

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

    2/5/2026House

  25. P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee

    2/5/2026House

Bill Text

  • HA0767 (Substitute)

    4/2/2026

    PDF

  • Enrolled / Public Chapter

    PDF

  • Fiscal Note

    PDF

  • Introduced

    PDF

  • SA0767

    PDF

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