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TennesseeSB 1868114th General Assembly (2025-2026)Senate

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37, Chapter 1, Part 1, relative to children.

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: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.

Children’s custody capped, with limited extensions

Beginning July 1, 2026, covered Tennessee Department of Children’s Services placements generally last no more than six months. Custody lasts only as long as needed for evidence-based treatment or services from a qualified provider. After a hearing or agreement, a court can add up to six months if that care is available only in custody. The court can also extend custody for an assault against staff at the child’s residential placement. That extension does not require a separate finding that the child committed a delinquent offense. Courts must tell children committed to department custody that assaulting placement staff may extend their commitment.

New review of children’s custody care

Effective upon becoming law, the act creates a Juvenile Commitment Review Task Force to review system problems and service gaps. It focuses on children found dependent and neglected and placed in Department of Children’s Services custody. Covered children have pending delinquency allegations, cannot competently take part in delinquency proceedings, or show potentially criminal violent behavior. Members include state agency leaders, other representatives, and a licensed lawyer serving as a guardian ad litem. The department can add members, including service providers. The group reviews data, including court-system data, and recommends improvements to care, case management, treatment, placements, agency teamwork, and court processes. It also identifies needed changes to laws or procedures. It can access confidential records, but cannot review information that directly or indirectly identifies a child or family receiving department services. Reviewed records stay confidential, with disclosure allowed only as needed for its work. Its final report is due February 1, 2027, to the governor and the Senate judiciary and House children-and-families committee chairs. The report must include findings and short- and long-term recommendations; the task force ends when it files the report.

Sponsors & Cosponsors

Sponsors

There is no primary sponsor on record.

Cosponsors

  • Todd Gardenhire

    Republican • Senate

  • Ferrell Haile

    Republican • Senate

  • Page Walley

    Republican • Senate

Roll Call Votes

All Roll Calls

Yes: 157 • No: 65

House vote • 4/21/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026

Yes: 59 • No: 25

House vote • 4/21/2026

FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PREVIOUS QUESTION PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/21/2026

Yes: 61 • No: 25

Senate vote • 4/15/2026

FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/15/2026

Yes: 22 • No: 11

Senate vote • 3/31/2026

SENATE FINANCE, WAYS AND MEANS COMMITTEE

Yes: 9 • No: 1

Senate vote • 3/10/2026

SENATE JUDICIARY COMMITTEE

Yes: 6 • No: 3

Actions Timeline

  1. Effective date(s) 05/22/2026, 07/01/2026

    5/27/2026

  2. Pub. Ch. 1102

    5/27/2026

  3. Signed by Governor.

    5/22/2026Senate

  4. Transmitted to Governor for action.

    5/11/2026Senate

  5. Signed by H. Speaker

    5/7/2026House

  6. Signed by Senate Speaker

    4/30/2026Senate

  7. Enrolled and ready for signatures

    4/29/2026Senate

  8. Passed H., Ayes 59, Nays 25, PNV 4

    4/21/2026House

  9. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA1001)

    4/21/2026House

  10. Subst. for comp. HB.

    4/21/2026House

  11. Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.

    4/20/2026House

  12. Engrossed; ready for transmission to House

    4/15/2026Senate

  13. Sponsor(s) Added.

    4/15/2026Senate

  14. Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 22, Nays 11

    4/15/2026Senate

  15. Amendment tabled (Amendment 2 - SA1048)

    4/15/2026Senate

  16. Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0640)

    4/15/2026Senate

  17. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/15/2026

    4/13/2026Senate

  18. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/31/2026Senate

  19. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

    3/31/2026Senate

  20. Placed on Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee calendar for 3/31/2026

    3/24/2026Senate

  21. Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Finance, Ways, and Means Committee Ayes 6, Nays 3 PNV 0

    3/10/2026Senate

  22. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/10/2026

    3/9/2026Senate

  23. Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/10/2026

    3/9/2026Senate

  24. Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/9/2026

    3/4/2026Senate

  25. Sponsor(s) Added.

    3/2/2026Senate

Bill Text

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