[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6125868,"mediaKeyId","2674440-faba106fb910139c2a2cd43c48aa8155","parentId",2674440,"title","Subcommittee advances 50-50 custody presumption bill and separate measure to strengthen child-safety findings","audioSeconds",225,"startMs",2715109,"endMs",2940470,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674440-faba106fb910139c2a2cd43c48aa8155&start=2715&end=2940","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674440-faba106fb910139c2a2cd43c48aa8155/thumbnail_2715109.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6125868/Tennessee/Subcommittee-advances-50-50-custody-presumption-bill-and-separate-measure-to-strengthen-child-safety-findings","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125868-97f25f175584265654db504016cef872/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985050&Signature=D0dB2A0IYRCfkaAVKFqC~wbt66CTei6PVBxHRPAldIIPfagJtw50bFkx86Twj4JLt8V2PvFQrPN1G32mMVitFddCRxe~KvELRv1mb2tWUpQf4ebkwN6EiFUX5HW09RrP2CXKhL97qvO57WgaxANc7Z~4eMLh0jcyjnlmbWLIr9HT9ENH~MTBoI2hXw9saoFWuMm94-rA1StIXohT4omhhq1XGQvLmR5Rd7U~5NhPQKk02P84wBG6chaIbE3DZ8ztCEZDF6x3j0sJVWsqY-nZ4ul9QbK9ydYFJugPyaWqSxBz63PZCq~UWFeS39IyN0hKXeQJ4W3pOWHjlqE-YQtEkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-03-18T00:00:00Z","article","A Tennessee House Children and Families Subcommittee on March 18 advanced two measures that would change how family courts approach custody and require clearer findings when abuse or neglect is alleged.

House Bill 11 31, sponsored by Representative Parkinson, would \"establish a rebuttable presumption that joint legal custody and equal parenting time are in the best interest of the child unless compelling evidence proves otherwise,\" Parkinson told the panel. \"This bill ensures that equality is the starting point and not the exception,\" she said.

The measure prompted questions about judicial discretion. Michelle Fogarty of Legal Services told the committee that \"under current law, there is a presumption that joint custody is in the best interest of a minor child where the parents have agreed to joint custody. Otherwise, there is no presumption for or against joint custody.\" Parkinson said she had consulted judges while drafting the bill and that judges would retain discretion to deviate from the presumption when warranted.

The panel also approved House Bill 12 55, presented by Representative Alexander and described at the hearing as \"April's Law 2.\" Alexander said the bill relocates an abuse/neglect inquiry within Tennessee Code and requires judges to explain in writing whether TCA 36‑6‑406(a)–(d) applies to a case. \"This ensures that parents and appeals courts can clearly see what factors influenced the trial court decision,\" Alexander said. The bill adds a best‑interest factor that asks whether a parent's custody or visitation had previously been reduced or restricted and directs that a parent ordered to supervised visitation because of abuse should pay the cost of supervision.

Why it matters: HB 11 31 would change the starting point for custody decisions across Tennessee courts, shifting the legal baseline toward equal parenting time unless a court finds otherwise. HB 12 55 aims to make courts’ reasoning in cases involving alleged abuse more transparent and to protect nonabusive parents from bearing the cost of supervised visitation.

Actions and outcome: The committee voted to send HB 11 31 as amended to full judiciary; the clerk recorded 5 ayes, 1 no, 0 present not voting. The committee voted to send HB 12 55 as amended to full judiciary; the clerk recorded 6 ayes, 0 nos, 0 present not voting. The subcommittee also approved House Joint Resolution 182 (a ceremonial resolution declaring June as \"Nuclear Family Month\"), which the clerk recorded as 6 ayes, 0 nos, 0 present not voting.

Discussion highlights: Several representatives spoke in favor of measures emphasizing father involvement and uniformity across courts. Representative Parkinson cited conversations with judges and examples from constituents to justify a uniform starting point. Representative Alexander emphasized child safety and transparent, written judicial findings. Legal Services clarified existing law's limitations on presumptions for joint custody.

Next steps: Both bills were reported out of the Children and Families Subcommittee and will proceed to the full Judiciary committee for further consideration.

","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee\tMar 18, 2025\t1:04 PM","oneSentenceSummary","A Tennessee House Children and Families Subcommittee on March 18 advanced two measures that would change how family courts approach custody and require clearer findings when abuse or neglect is alleged.","taxTitle","Children and Family Affairs, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",79850,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125853,"Committee narrows bill so \"economic disadvantage alone\" cannot be sole basis for termination of parental rights",180,1355924,1536160,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674440-faba106fb910139c2a2cd43c48aa8155&start=1355&end=1536","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674440-faba106fb910139c2a2cd43c48aa8155/thumbnail_1355924.jpg","/articles/6125853/Tennessee/Committee-narrows-bill-so-economic-disadvantage-alone-cannot-be-sole-basis-for-termination-of-parental-rights","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125853-f138289a8c63226472912dea9d4201fd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985050&Signature=kcmzim3kGDLVQ4Z7xgZwJPmaT~HGegxbGg~hqTctEyfDdI37BerZTR2slCcQmc3b2hNN4aQEKMKSCaWwOkB4GcwF6H7JzIiUTem7wtIiSIzbqKzrUutfgBOGLpwWbmcfmaJdj~tZhAgu74IPt0zVi3cS2hzITP34zalyUyk1iVwlTlm5QDu1jylW0hr94wXY2PJSuphxj2km9bE-t2tK459dIcRIcQe0fejd-9OAA87TKAZjHPHP7TiYexc2g2usCtI7rWA3UrsMPyvlGhRC~hZsoRRpum9eJVfafHizhhNZlwLDphDYRQp7hdk7Z7Vd7XaZFurTVYuNQNPZk2nI2w__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Children and Families Subcommittee on March 18 advanced House Bill 3 47 after amending and narrowing its scope. The sponsor described the bill as clarifying that \"economic disadvantage of a parent or guardian alone is not grounds for termination of parental rights,\" and that neglect \"does not exist solely on the basis of economic disadvantage.\"

The sponsor said the bill had been narrowed from an earlier draft following discussions with legal counsel and stakeholders and now contains two sections that address the use of poverty as a basis for neglect findings. Committee members praised the sponsor for tailoring the bill and said they believed the revised language was \"in a really good place going forward.\"

Action and outcome: The committee adopted amendment 1536 to HB 3 47 and voted to report the bill to full Judiciary; the clerk recorded 7 ayes, 0 nos, 0 present not voting.

Why it matters: Sponsors said the bill will prevent the economic status of a parent from being used alone as the basis for terminating parental rights, affecting how child welfare and courts assess neglect.

Next steps: HB 3 47 advances to the full Judiciary Committee.","House Bill 347 was amended and advanced by the Children and Families Subcommittee on March 18 to specify that economic disadvantage alone does not constitute neglect or grounds for termination of parental rights.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125858,"Subcommittee backs task force to track conservatorships after concerns about statewide oversight",300,1551044,1851465,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674440-faba106fb910139c2a2cd43c48aa8155&start=1551&end=1851","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674440-faba106fb910139c2a2cd43c48aa8155/thumbnail_1551044.jpg","/articles/6125858/Tennessee/Subcommittee-backs-task-force-to-track-conservatorships-after-concerns-about-statewide-oversight","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125858-1987f372c6105e55d0290074839b699c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985051&Signature=g4PTfQucM9PKUk-tQLoIU-R5as5OfSu3qBFqTNzvax5SMk5BfN8o9INX9iFyvy1L0ph6CQPnpM2ZbxfQxTzcH3Asyy2tJh6yKxMZxElq0fj1kRN6k8oxeLUH2KWJKD3mDpbJhOAHdFZplXREdbZETssFCT1m~xEBD91aP-tv53g~sByYBgGNwlvCHgG3Cv5yTc~gAey4DA2wAFIfrQd4ifWJdfCgdgP3ugTIfY6Muf4uFoX4Vj52pXUkmI5MkSYLEAXhyGoL~5eRK3ycJbvhuQgd8HHjlSuc2wTp54keMlg6zW98MB5P9ofG3zdiSgbDHFv66zj2Pcc96-1gNpF1nw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Children and Families Subcommittee on March 18 approved House Bill 6 34 to create a conservatorship management task force aimed at improving oversight of conservatorships statewide.

Representative Clemons, sponsor of the bill, said the legislation would \"create the conservatorship management task force to review the provision and direction of available resources to promote effective and successful conservatorships across the state of Tennessee.\" The task force would include nine members: five representing state agencies and four public members, the sponsor said.

Clemons cited available data in Davidson County: an office of conservatorship management provides oversight for \"approximately 2,700 conservators, managing over a hundred and $23,000,000 in assets,\" and said similar statewide figures are unknown. Representative Harris and Representative Towns voiced support, citing past conservatorship abuses and the need for centralized tracking and fraud prevention. Clemons said the task force would be administratively attached to the Department of Aging and Disability.

Action and outcome: The committee voted to report HB 6 34 as amended to full Judiciary; the clerk recorded 6 ayes, 0 nos, 0 present not voting.

Why it matters: Sponsors said Tennessee lacks a statewide inventory of conservatorships and assets, limiting the state's ability to detect abuse. The task force would review education, potential independent conservator panels, monitoring capacity and fraud detection tools.

Next steps: HB 6 34 advances to the full Judiciary Committee for consideration.","House Bill 6 34 would create a nine‑member conservatorship management task force to review resources, monitoring and fraud detection for conservatorships; the subcommittee advanced the bill to full Judiciary.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6125863,"Subcommittee advances adoption‑filing simplification and multiple adoption and foster‑care bills",100,3290880,3391065,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2674440-faba106fb910139c2a2cd43c48aa8155&start=3290&end=3391","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2674440-faba106fb910139c2a2cd43c48aa8155/thumbnail_3290880.jpg","/articles/6125863/Tennessee/Subcommittee-advances-adoptionfiling-simplification-and-multiple-adoption-and-fostercare-bills","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6125863-fe389a2cf3d2df27bc53085ba1f8036b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770985051&Signature=DeJ74-EvwuLAHvz9BDOETAb0Zk2ZUw9r0kQ2og6fbc62m2a93ikfCEgnM-vewfsfoKLgCsed1xzAbRY8p0KL16UUfrkZdP5FJoFqZ3RUo618Py2nYQwXyZTw6vdwxlVrPzM2vc7uySA~mntLAu2bCJp17Qijm69Tdmu~97LUA3DBq5NAA6AO~n~IbSdCC-xR7MjvoN9Aq3pLJ3~vaNCOxVS3i15ffVbPcXWRmudxjkEIjUOdrywHmDVD3VqwvBFsC58HR8TW~Nvm5rw5ZRb5z7mTmwo~TAqLpN6Zru5ghj459N35CY3H8UMxt-9a-Mfrk7lX5OU8JD1Drc98SqrNaw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Tennessee House Children and Families Subcommittee on March 18 approved a set of bills addressing adoption filings, adoption records, sibling placement and foster‑child rights.

House Bill 11 80, sponsored by Chairman Farmer, would allow a single petition and single filing fee when prospective parents file to adopt multiple children at once. \"Some jurisdictions are saying you have to file 2 petitions, 2 filing fees. This bill would say you just need to file 1 petition and 1 filing fee to adopt those children,\" Chairman Farmer said.

The committee also advanced House Bill 13 55, described by its sponsor as drafted by the Tennessee Bar Association Adoption Section, which would change how \"token\" payments of child support affect a biological father's ability to qualify as a parent for adoption purposes. The sponsor said the bill would \"exclude biological fathers who make only token support payments to the mother\" from qualifying as a parent under current rules; the transcript notes token is already defined in statute and case law interprets it.

House Bill 13 56 would permit the Department of Children's Services to search closed adoption records to locate biological siblings of children entering foster care so that sibling placement can be explored, the sponsor said. \"This bill is to make sure if there are siblings out there, they get the first chance to be reunited or united,\" the sponsor told the committee.

House Bill 13 59 requires that foster children in the custody of DCS or DCS contractors have a right to an education appropriate to their age and needs, sets reporting and training requirements for DCS staff, and requires age‑appropriate materials explaining foster‑child rights be provided within 30 days of custody and annually.

Actions and outcome: HB 11 80 was reported out to full judiciary; the clerk recorded 6 ayes, 0 nos and an unusual clerk phrasing recorded as \"1 no vote\" in the transcript (committee recorded outcome: bill moves to full Judiciary). HB 13 55 as amended was reported out to full Judiciary (clerk recorded 5 ayes, 0 nos). HB 13 56 as amended was reported out to full Judiciary (6 ayes, 0 nos). HB 13 59 as amended was reported out to full Judiciary (6 ayes, 0 nos).

Why it matters: The bills aim to reduce administrative burdens for multi‑child adoptions, clarify legal hurdles in terminating parental rights for adoption, improve opportunities for sibling reunification, and set minimum training and rights‑notice requirements for foster children.

Next steps: Each bill advances to the full Judiciary committee for further consideration.

","The Children and Families Subcommittee on March 18 approved changes to adoption filing fees and several bills affecting adoption records, sibling placement, and foster‑child rights. The measures move to full Judiciary.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Subcommittee advances 50-50 custody presumption bill and separate measure to strengthen child-safety findings

Committee narrows bill so "economic disadvantage alone" cannot be sole basis for termination of parental rights

Subcommittee backs task force to track conservatorships after concerns about statewide oversight

Subcommittee advances adoption‑filing simplification and multiple adoption and foster‑care bills