Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-185 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 37-1-185
Report on juvenile justice data collection
Status: in_force

The administrative office of the courts, the department of children's services, and the commission on children and youth shall jointly submit a report addressing statewide data collection in the juvenile justice system, on or before January 1, 2019, to the governor, speaker of the senate, and speaker of the house of representatives. Appropriate school and law enforcement personnel shall be consulted in preparing the report. This report shall include: (1) A plan to effectuate comprehensive, accurate collection of data and performance measures from all juvenile courts in the state pursuant to any relevant statutory provisions; (2) Uniform definitions and criteria for data collection to ensure clear and consistent reporting across all agencies and counties; (3) Proposed forms for future data collection from juvenile courts and county-level agencies; and (4) Any other recommendations relevant to improving statewide data collection in the juvenile justice system. Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 184, s 4, eff. 7/1/2021. Acts 2018 , ch. 1052, § 51.
The administrative office of the courts, the department of children's services, and the commission on children and youth shall jointly submit a report addressing statewide data collection in the juvenile justice system, on or before January 1, 2019, to the governor, speaker of the senate, and speaker of the house of representatives. Appropriate school and law enforcement personnel shall be consulted in preparing the report. This report shall include:
(1) A plan to effectuate comprehensive, accurate collection of data and performance measures from all juvenile courts in the state pursuant to any relevant statutory provisions;
(2) Uniform definitions and criteria for data collection to ensure clear and consistent reporting across all agencies and counties;
(3) Proposed forms for future data collection from juvenile courts and county-level agencies; and
(4) Any other recommendations relevant to improving statewide data collection in the juvenile justice system.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 184, s 4, eff. 7/1/2021.
Acts 2018 , ch. 1052, § 51.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-167 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 37-1-167
Removal from abusive parent or other party
Status: in_force

If a child has suffered either sexual abuse or aggravated child abuse at the hands of a parent, legal guardian or caregiver, that child shall not be placed back in the care of the abusive party unless the judge finds by clear and convincing evidence that a threat to the child's safety no longer exists. Acts 1994, ch. 978, § 6.
If a child has suffered either sexual abuse or aggravated child abuse at the hands of a parent, legal guardian or caregiver, that child shall not be placed back in the care of the abusive party unless the judge finds by clear and convincing evidence that a threat to the child's safety no longer exists.
Acts 1994, ch. 978, § 6.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-2-303 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 2 / Section 37-2-303
State's contribution to cost of subsidizing homes
Status: in_force

The state of Tennessee, through the department of human services, shall set up a grant in aid fund in the support of every licensed receiving home in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the cost of subsidizing the home and fifty percent (50%) of the boarding care and special needs of any child placed in the home as provided in § 37-2-314 . Acts 1949, ch. 222, § 3; C. Supp. 1950, § 4746.3 (Williams, § 4765.121); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 37-603.
The state of Tennessee, through the department of human services, shall set up a grant in aid fund in the support of every licensed receiving home in the amount of fifty percent (50%) of the cost of subsidizing the home and fifty percent (50%) of the boarding care and special needs of any child placed in the home as provided in § 37-2-314 .
Acts 1949, ch. 222, § 3; C. Supp. 1950, § 4746.3 (Williams, § 4765.121); T.C.A. (orig. ed.), § 37-603.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-189 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 37-1-189
Telephone call and visitation procedures for juveniles admitted to juvenile detention facilities
Status: in_force

(a) A child who has been admitted to a juvenile detention facility, prior to being adjudicated for an alleged delinquent act, must be allowed at least one (1) telephone call with the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian and one (1) thirty-minute in-person visit with the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian within twenty-four (24) hours after the child is admitted to the juvenile detention facility. The telephone call and in-person visit required by this subsection (a) must occur as soon as practical after the request has been made by the parent, guardian, or legal custodian to the juvenile detention facility, however, the telephone call or in-person visit may be delayed by the detention facility for no more than six (6) hours if the child is subject to disciplinary action. If the juvenile detention facility delays contact to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian, the detention facility must explain the actions of the child which resulted in the contact being timely withheld. (b) During the time period following the first twenty-four (24) hours a child has been admitted to a juvenile detention facility, but prior to being adjudicated for an alleged delinquent act, a child must be allowed at least three (3) separate telephone calls with the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, and one (1) in-person visit with the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian per week. (c) This section applies to juvenile detention facilities approved, certified, or licensed by the department of children's services, including youth development centers. Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 866,s 1, eff. 5/1/2024.
(a) A child who has been admitted to a juvenile detention facility, prior to being adjudicated for an alleged delinquent act, must be allowed at least one (1) telephone call with the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian and one (1) thirty-minute in-person visit with the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian within twenty-four (24) hours after the child is admitted to the juvenile detention facility. The telephone call and in-person visit required by this subsection (a) must occur as soon as practical after the request has been made by the parent, guardian, or legal custodian to the juvenile detention facility, however, the telephone call or in-person visit may be delayed by the detention facility for no more than six (6) hours if the child is subject to disciplinary action. If the juvenile detention facility delays contact to the parent, guardian, or legal custodian, the detention facility must explain the actions of the child which resulted in the contact being timely withheld.
(b) During the time period following the first twenty-four (24) hours a child has been admitted to a juvenile detention facility, but prior to being adjudicated for an alleged delinquent act, a child must be allowed at least three (3) separate telephone calls with the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian, and one (1) in-person visit with the child's parent, guardian, or legal custodian per week.
(c) This section applies to juvenile detention facilities approved, certified, or licensed by the department of children's services, including youth development centers.
Added by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 866,s 1, eff. 5/1/2024.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-5-521 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 37-5-521
Cause of action
Status: in_force

(a) A child has a cause of action against a nontraditional child care agency that authorizes an individual to be present on the premises of the child care agency and the authorized individual inflicts abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse upon the child. (b) The attorney general and reporter may bring an action under this section on behalf of a child described in subsection (a) and may seek damages for the benefit of the child as permitted by law. Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1126, s 6, eff. 7/1/2022.
(a) A child has a cause of action against a nontraditional child care agency that authorizes an individual to be present on the premises of the child care agency and the authorized individual inflicts abuse, neglect, or sexual abuse upon the child.
(b) The attorney general and reporter may bring an action under this section on behalf of a child described in subsection (a) and may seek damages for the benefit of the child as permitted by law.
Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1126, s 6, eff. 7/1/2022.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-3-501 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 37-3-501
Informational clearinghouse - Toll-free telephone service for inquiries - Promotional activities - Annual report
Status: in_force

(a) There shall be created, within the Nashville office of the department of health, the Tennessee informational clearinghouse on teenage pregnancy. (b) The department shall obtain and operate a toll-free telephone line for the express purpose of receiving and encouraging inquiries for informational services. The department shall assist callers by providing informational services needed to plan programs and presentations, to organize teen pregnancy prevention activities, to organize parenting education and assistance programs for teen parents, and to undertake other activities and programs to address problems associated with teenage pregnancy. (c) The department shall regularly undertake appropriate activities to inform and remind the citizens of this state of the services provided by the clearinghouse and of the availability of the toll-free telephone line. Such promotional activities shall regularly include, but not necessarily be limited to, press releases, posters, speeches, and public service announcements on radio and television. The department shall undertake special activities to improve public awareness of the clearinghouse within those counties and areas of the state in which teenage pregnancy rates are highest. (d) In preparing for and responding to requests for information collected and maintained within the clearinghouse, the department shall provide a level of service that is at least comparable to the level of service so provided by the children's services commission prior to July 1, 1988. (e) [Deleted by 2015 amendment] Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 212, s 1, eff. 4/20/2015. Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 236, s 21, eff. 4/19/2013. Acts 1987, ch. 441, § 1; 1988, ch. 1005, §§ 1, 7, 8; 1988, ch. 1011, § 5; 1988, ch. 1012, § 4; 1988, ch. 1021, § 3; 2011 , ch. 410, § 3(m).
(a) There shall be created, within the Nashville office of the department of health, the Tennessee informational clearinghouse on teenage pregnancy.
(b) The department shall obtain and operate a toll-free telephone line for the express purpose of receiving and encouraging inquiries for informational services. The department shall assist callers by providing informational services needed to plan programs and presentations, to organize teen pregnancy prevention activities, to organize parenting education and assistance programs for teen parents, and to undertake other activities and programs to address problems associated with teenage pregnancy.
(c) The department shall regularly undertake appropriate activities to inform and remind the citizens of this state of the services provided by the clearinghouse and of the availability of the toll-free telephone line. Such promotional activities shall regularly include, but not necessarily be limited to, press releases, posters, speeches, and public service announcements on radio and television. The department shall undertake special activities to improve public awareness of the clearinghouse within those counties and areas of the state in which teenage pregnancy rates are highest.
(d) In preparing for and responding to requests for information collected and maintained within the clearinghouse, the department shall provide a level of service that is at least comparable to the level of service so provided by the children's services commission prior to July 1, 1988.
(e) [Deleted by 2015 amendment]
Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 212, s 1, eff. 4/20/2015.
Amended by 2013 Tenn. Acts, ch. 236, s 21, eff. 4/19/2013.
Acts 1987, ch. 441, § 1; 1988, ch. 1005, §§ 1, 7, 8; 1988, ch. 1011, § 5; 1988, ch. 1012, § 4; 1988, ch. 1021, § 3; 2011 , ch. 410, § 3(m).
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-157 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 37-1-157
Contributing to dependency - Penalties - Jurisdiction of court
Status: in_force

(a) When any child is alleged to be a dependent and neglected child, the parent, guardian or other person who by any willful act causes, contributes to or encourages such dependency and neglect commits a Class A misdemeanor, triable in the circuit or criminal court. (b) In such a case when the defendant pleads not guilty, the juvenile court judge has the power to bind the defendant over to the grand jury as in cases of misdemeanors under the criminal laws of this state. In such case, when the defendant pleads not guilty, the juvenile court judge has the power to bind the defendant over to the grand jury or to proceed to hear the case on its merits without the intervention of a jury if the defendant requests the hearing in juvenile court and expressly waives in writing an indictment, presentment, grand jury investigation and jury trial. In the event the defendant enters a plea of guilty, the juvenile court judge has the same power as the circuit or criminal court in making final disposition of the case. (c) Reliance by a parent, guardian or custodian upon remedial treatment, other than medical or surgical treatment for a child, when such treatment is legally recognized or legally permitted under the laws of this state, shall not subject such parent, guardian or custodian to any of the penalties hereunder. (d) Subsection (a) shall not be construed to impose criminal liability upon a mother based solely upon her act of voluntarily delivering a newborn infant to a facility pursuant to § 68-11-255 . Acts 1970, ch. 600, § 55; 1971, ch. 189, § 6; 1980, ch. 796, § 4; T.C.A., § 37-255; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 111; 2001, ch. 388, § 3.
(a) When any child is alleged to be a dependent and neglected child, the parent, guardian or other person who by any willful act causes, contributes to or encourages such dependency and neglect commits a Class A misdemeanor, triable in the circuit or criminal court.
(b) In such a case when the defendant pleads not guilty, the juvenile court judge has the power to bind the defendant over to the grand jury as in cases of misdemeanors under the criminal laws of this state. In such case, when the defendant pleads not guilty, the juvenile court judge has the power to bind the defendant over to the grand jury or to proceed to hear the case on its merits without the intervention of a jury if the defendant requests the hearing in juvenile court and expressly waives in writing an indictment, presentment, grand jury investigation and jury trial. In the event the defendant enters a plea of guilty, the juvenile court judge has the same power as the circuit or criminal court in making final disposition of the case.
(c) Reliance by a parent, guardian or custodian upon remedial treatment, other than medical or surgical treatment for a child, when such treatment is legally recognized or legally permitted under the laws of this state, shall not subject such parent, guardian or custodian to any of the penalties hereunder.
(d) Subsection (a) shall not be construed to impose criminal liability upon a mother based solely upon her act of voluntarily delivering a newborn infant to a facility pursuant to § 68-11-255 .
Acts 1970, ch. 600, § 55; 1971, ch. 189, § 6; 1980, ch. 796, § 4; T.C.A., § 37-255; Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 111; 2001, ch. 388, § 3.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-2-203 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 2 / Section 37-2-203
Appointment of director and other personnel
Status: in_force

The county mayor may, with the approval of the county legislative body, appoint a director and such other personnel as may be deemed necessary to provide efficient management of homes and institutions owned or operated by the county, and to assure that children in custody of such department receive the proper care and services. Each such director shall serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority. Acts 1979, ch. 143, § 3; T.C.A., § 37-403; 2003, ch. 90, § 2.
The county mayor may, with the approval of the county legislative body, appoint a director and such other personnel as may be deemed necessary to provide efficient management of homes and institutions owned or operated by the county, and to assure that children in custody of such department receive the proper care and services. Each such director shall serve at the will and pleasure of the appointing authority.
Acts 1979, ch. 143, § 3; T.C.A., § 37-403; 2003, ch. 90, § 2.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-5-302 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 37-5-302
Purpose
Status: in_force

The purpose of this part is to provide a mechanism to facilitate the provision of services for children and other citizens in need of services in Tennessee through centralized agencies located throughout the state. The community services agencies may contract with any other agencies to provide assistance wherever needed. Acts 1989, ch. 567, § 3; T.C.A., § 68-2-1103; Acts 1996, ch. 1079, § 149; 2005, ch. 249, § 1.
The purpose of this part is to provide a mechanism to facilitate the provision of services for children and other citizens in need of services in Tennessee through centralized agencies located throughout the state. The community services agencies may contract with any other agencies to provide assistance wherever needed.
Acts 1989, ch. 567, § 3; T.C.A., § 68-2-1103; Acts 1996, ch. 1079, § 149; 2005, ch. 249, § 1.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-4-206 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 4 / Section 37-4-206
Chapter 5, part 4 not applicable to this part
Status: in_force

Chapter 5, part 4 of this title shall not apply to placements made pursuant to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children. Acts 1974, ch. 477, § 6; T.C.A., § 37-1408.
Chapter 5, part 4 of this title shall not apply to placements made pursuant to the Interstate Compact on the Placement of Children.
Acts 1974, ch. 477, § 6; T.C.A., § 37-1408.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-3-402 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 3 / Section 37-3-402
Office of community contact - Creation - Director - Personnel
Status: in_force

There is created within the department of education, in the division of vocational rehabilitation, an office of community contact, which shall be headed by a director, appointed by the commissioner of education, to serve at the pleasure of the commissioner and at a salary to be fixed by the commissioner. The commissioner shall employ such stenographic assistants as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this part, and shall fix stenographers' salaries. Acts 1970, ch. 602, § 2; T.C.A., § 37-1302.
There is created within the department of education, in the division of vocational rehabilitation, an office of community contact, which shall be headed by a director, appointed by the commissioner of education, to serve at the pleasure of the commissioner and at a salary to be fixed by the commissioner. The commissioner shall employ such stenographic assistants as are necessary to carry out the provisions of this part, and shall fix stenographers' salaries.
Acts 1970, ch. 602, § 2; T.C.A., § 37-1302.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-5-504 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 37-5-504
Preexisting agencies subject to chapter
Status: in_force

All child caring institutions, child placing agencies and maternity homes chartered in this state prior to July 1, 2000, shall be subject to all of its requirements. Acts 2000, ch. 981, § 22.
All child caring institutions, child placing agencies and maternity homes chartered in this state prior to July 1, 2000, shall be subject to all of its requirements.
Acts 2000, ch. 981, § 22.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-1-908 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 1 / Section 37-1-908
Termination of participation in safe baby court program
Status: in_force

A party's participation in a safe baby court program may be terminated at the discretion of the court if the party fails to comply with the program requirements. Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 383, s 8, eff. 5/10/2019.
A party's participation in a safe baby court program may be terminated at the discretion of the court if the party fails to comply with the program requirements.
Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 383, s 8, eff. 5/10/2019.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-5-308 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 37-5-308
Executive director - Employees and expenses
Status: in_force

The executive director, subject to approval of the board and approval of the plan of operation pursuant to § 37-5-310 , has the authority to hire such employees and incur such expenses as may be necessary for proper discharge of the duties of the agency. Acts 1989, ch. 567, § 8; T.C.A., § 68-2-1108; Acts 1996, ch. 1079, § 149; 2001, ch. 390, § 4.
The executive director, subject to approval of the board and approval of the plan of operation pursuant to § 37-5-310 , has the authority to hire such employees and incur such expenses as may be necessary for proper discharge of the duties of the agency.
Acts 1989, ch. 567, § 8; T.C.A., § 68-2-1108; Acts 1996, ch. 1079, § 149; 2001, ch. 390, § 4.
Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-5-407 — TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 5 / Section 37-5-407
Policy to assist foreign national children suspected of being victims of human trafficking - Development of assessment tools
Status: in_force

(a) The department shall develop a policy to assist foreign national children suspected of being victims of human trafficking. (b) The department must develop and maintain assessment tools to screen system-involved children at risk of human trafficking for experiences of commercial sexual exploitation. The assessment tools must also be distributed to juvenile justice agencies for use in screening children identified to be at risk for being a victim of human trafficking. Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1115,s 11, eff. 7/1/2022.
(a) The department shall develop a policy to assist foreign national children suspected of being victims of human trafficking.
(b) The department must develop and maintain assessment tools to screen system-involved children at risk of human trafficking for experiences of commercial sexual exploitation. The assessment tools must also be distributed to juvenile justice agencies for use in screening children identified to be at risk for being a victim of human trafficking.
Added by 2022 Tenn. Acts, ch. 1115,s 11, eff. 7/1/2022.