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TennesseeSB 1241114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36; Title 37 and Title 39, relative to child abuse.

Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable

Signed by Governor

Child Abuse

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

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

Safer family reunions require parents' progress

Children removed from custody after an abuse finding and placed in foster care with the Department or an agency face new return-home safeguards. Reunification with a parent is barred until the parent makes enough progress on their permanency-plan duties for reunification to be safe. The child must also receive any mental health counseling judged necessary for reunification. When the plan aims to return the child to a parent, it must require appropriate domestic violence services if that parent's domestic abuse caused the placement. This applies when the child witnessed or was subjected to that abuse, and the parent must complete those services.

More protection for children witnessing family abuse

Tennessee's definition of abuse or neglect now includes children under 18 who witness abuse of another child in their immediate family or household. It also includes witnessing domestic abuse of another member of their immediate family or household. By January 31, 2026, and every six months afterward, the Department must report foster-care removals tied to domestic abuse allegations. Reports go to the Senate judiciary chair and House committee chairs overseeing judiciary and children and family matters. They must count children returned home, children still in Department custody, and other outcomes. The law took effect upon becoming law.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Paul Rose

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 133 • No: 0

House vote • 4/16/2025

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/16/2025

Yes: 94 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/15/2025

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/15/2025

Yes: 31 • No: 0

Senate vote • 4/1/2025

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 8 • No: 0

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date(s) 05/05/2025

    5/13/2025

  2. Pub. Ch. 398

    5/13/2025

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/5/2025Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    4/23/2025Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    4/22/2025House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/22/2025Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/22/2025Senate

  8. Passed H., Ayes 94, Nays 0, PNV 1

    4/16/2025House

  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0335)

    4/16/2025House

  10. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/16/2025House

  11. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/15/2025Senate

  12. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    4/15/2025Senate

  13. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 31, Nays 0

    4/15/2025Senate

  14. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0359)

    4/15/2025Senate

  15. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/15/2025

    4/14/2025Senate

  16. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/15/2025

    4/11/2025Senate

  17. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 0 PNV 0

    4/1/2025Senate

  18. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 4/1/2025

    3/31/2025Senate

  19. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 4/1/2025

    3/31/2025Senate

  20. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/31/2025

    3/26/2025Senate

  21. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee

    2/12/2025Senate

  22. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

    2/10/2025Senate

  23. Filed for introduction

    2/6/2025Senate

Bill Text

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