Children

Plain English Breakdown

It's unclear how this change will affect current cases involving children.

Expanding Definition of Dependent and Neglected Children

This bill amends Tennessee laws to include children whose parents or guardians cannot provide care due to circumstances beyond their control as dependent and neglected children.

What This Bill Does

• Adds a new part to the definition of 'dependent and neglected child' in Tennessee law, specifying that a child is considered dependent or neglected if their parent or guardian cannot provide care due to circumstances beyond their control.
• Requires courts to hold hearings to determine whether a child's situation fits this new definition.

Who It Names or Affects

• Children whose parents or guardians are unable to take care of them because of situations they can't control.
• Courts and judges who will have to decide if a child fits this new definition.

Terms To Know

Dependent and neglected child

A child whose parents or guardians cannot provide proper care, which now includes situations beyond the parent's control.

Limits and Unknowns

• The bill does not specify what kinds of circumstances are considered 'beyond a parent’s control'.

Official Summary Text

Abstract summarizes the bill.

Current Bill Text

SENATE BILL 1703
By Lowe

HOUSE BILL 1699
By Raper
HB1699
010140
- 1 -

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36
and Title 37, relative to children.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 37-1-102(b)(13), is amended by
adding the following as a new subdivision:
(K) Whose parent or guardian is unable to provide for the care and control of the
child due to circumstances beyond the parent's or guardian's control;
SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 37-1-129, is amended by designating
subdivision (b)(1) as subdivision (b)(1)(A) and adding the following new subdivision (b)(1)(B):
(B) In order for a child to be found to be a dependent and neglected child under
§ 37-1-102(b)(13)(K), the court must hold an adjudicatory hearing and find that the
parent or guardian is unable to provide for the care and control of the child and that the
inability to provide such care and control is due to circumstances that are beyond the
parent's or guardian's control.
SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.