Subcommittee advances bill barring DCS from demanding detailed firearm inventories from foster parents

NASHVILLE — The Tennessee House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee advanced House Bill 2206 as amended on April 8, 2026, voting 6-0 with one member present but not voting to send the measure to the judiciary committee.

The bill, introduced on the subcommittee calendar as House Bill 2206 by Representative Cheryl, would prohibit the Department of Children’s Services (DCS) from requesting a detailed inventory that lists the number, type or access details for firearms or ammunition owned by a foster parent or prospective foster parent. "As amended, House Bill 2206 would prohibit DCS from requesting detailed information about the number, type of firearms or ammo that a foster parent or prospective foster parent owns or details access to these firearms or ammo," Representative Cheryl told the panel.

Representative Cheryl said the change responds to reports from multiple foster parents that DCS implemented a new home-visit checklist asking for a complete inventory of firearms and allowing DCS workers to inspect for accuracy. "While I am fully committed to keeping children safe, always the top priority, these requests go far beyond what is reasonable," she said. "Asking whether firearms are safely stored is appropriate and necessary. However, requiring a detailed [inventory] and access is an unnecessary invasion of privacy for law-abiding foster parents." She added that DCS was consulted on the amendment and "have deferred to the conclusion of the amendment."

The amendment clarifies that DCS may continue to ask whether firearms or ammunition are present in a home and whether they are safely secured, but it bars requests for a detailed list that includes types and access. Representative Cheryl told the subcommittee there is "no certificate finance note on this bill."

After the sponsor’s explanation, the chair called for a voice vote to adopt Amendment 014477 and then for a roll call on the bill as amended. The clerk reported the final tally as six ayes, zero nos and one present not voting. "House Bill 2206 as amended moves out to the judiciary pool," the chair said after the vote.

The measure will next be considered by the House judiciary committee. The subcommittee did not record further debate or amendments beyond the added language that limits DCS’s ability to seek a detailed firearms inventory from foster homes.

The meeting concluded with brief acknowledgments of long-serving members and the chair adjourned the subcommittee "subject to the call of the chair."