AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36; Title 37; Title 49 and Title 71, relative to foster care.

New rights for Tennessee foster children

Beginning July 1, 2025, Tennessee establishes rights for foster children in state custody or custody of state-contracted foster placement agencies. These rights apply unless state or federal law prohibits them. Children have rights to schooling suited to their age and needs, and appropriate care in the least restrictive setting possible. Their living space must be safe, healthy, and free from abuse, neglect, and pests. They can report rights violations without punishment, interference, pressure, or retaliation. They have rights to professionally recommended medical, dental, vision, and mental health services. They must receive information about diagnoses and treatment choices suited to their development. Contact with legal representatives cannot be restricted or supervised as punishment when children have a right to confidential communication. The Department of Children's Services must implement these rights through formal rulemaking. It must develop clear, age-appropriate rights materials with foster-care stakeholders, including former foster children from each Tennessee grand division. Materials must cover these rights and any others the department considers appropriate. The department must give children the materials and explain their rights within 30 days of entering custody. It must repeat this each year at the required hearing about the child's long-term placement plan. Materials must be reviewed at least every five years and revised as needed. Department staff who contact foster children must receive training; current employees must be trained by February 1, 2026. New employees must be trained within 30 days of starting work.