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Bill to give long-term foster parents access to TPR files advances from Judiciary
Summary
SB 21-65 would provide foster parents who have cared for a child nine or more consecutive months access to the termination-of-parental-rights (TPR) file and health information; sponsor and stakeholders said the change aims to help permanency planning and the measure moved to calendar.
A sponsor explained SB 21-65, brought to the committee by the Tennessee Bar Association, which would give foster parents who have cared for a child for nine or more consecutive months access to the petition to terminate parental rights (TPR) file and timely background and health information needed to support permanency and legal counsel.
"This bill ensures that foster parents who have cared for a child for 9 or more consecutive months, receive a copy of any TPR file regarding the child and timely access to relevant background and health information necessary for the child's care," the sponsor said, saying lack of transparency can delay permanency for children. Members pressed on timing, whether the bill changed TPR timelines and who would bear seminar fees; a legal-services witness clarified courts may waive fees for indigent parents and the court can waive seminar requirements for good cause.
Committee members expressed general support for improving case information and the bill passed to calendar with recorded votes reflecting seven ayes, one no and one present-not-voting.
