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Panel advances bill to preserve ICWA procedures if federal law changes
Summary
The subcommittee approved House Bill 1904, a contingency measure that would keep ICWA procedures in Tennessee courts if federal standards are ever repealed or altered. Sponsor Chairman Terry said the bill acts as a “buffer” so the legislature can set state policy without sudden gaps in procedure.
House Bill 1904 moved out of the Children and Family Affairs subcommittee on a unanimous voice vote after Chairman Terry explained the measure is intended as a state-level safeguard in the event the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) is changed or repealed. Terry told the committee the bill “functions as a safeguard maintaining the same procedures and protections” so Tennessee courts would not suddenly lack a framework for handling Native American child welfare cases.
The amendment (014680) was adopted on the floor before the committee vote. Chair Lady Littleton then directed the clerk to open the board; the clerk reported the committee’s vote as 4 ayes and 0 noes and the bill was sent to the judiciary committee. The sponsor said the statute would preserve ICWA-based procedures temporarily “until the legislature has time to review the issue and determine the appropriate state policy.”
