Image: Bill sponsor Senator Dawn White presents SB2660 on the Senate floor. Image Credit: capitol.tn.gov
The Tennessee Conservative [By Paula Gomes] –
A bill that aims to terminate the parental rights of Tennesseans after only six months of “substantial non-compliance” passed the Senate floor yesterday.
Tennessee Senators voted 22 to 6 to allow the Tennessee Department of Children’s Services (DCS) to terminate parental rights within 90 days after a juvenile court finds the parents or guardians of the child/children have not been compliant with a statement of responsibilities in a permanency plan.
Senate Bill 2660 (SB2660) sponsored by Senator Dawn White (R-Murfreesboro-District 13) was amended before the final vote to change DCS from being able to petition to terminate rights after 10 business days to 90 calendar days.
A permanency plan is a pathway for parents to regain custody of their child(ren) and includes a list of responsibilities and actions that parents must take if they hope to be reunited as a family.
Because permanency plans are often seen by courts and child advocacy agencies as an admission of guilt, parents may have a difficult time exonerating themselves from any wrongdoing once they agree to abide by the plan. This is problematic when a parent is falsely accused and DCS becomes involved. Last year, Governor Bill Lee signed a bill into law that could criminalize parents based on anonymous allegations.
There was no discussion on either the amendment or the bill in general on the Senate floor yesterday despite there being no clear definition included in the bill for what “substantial noncompliance” entails. Current law requires almost 2 years for parents to make their case to regain custody.
Only two Republican Senators stood for parental rights by voting against the bill, Senator Janice Bowling (R-Tullahoma-District 16) and Senator Mark Pody (R-Lebanon-District 17). They were joined by 4 Democrats: Senators Raumesh Akbari, Heidi Campbell, Sara Kyle, and London Lamar.
The 22 Republicans who voted to end parental rights more hastily than current statute dictates were Senators Paul Bailey, Richard Briggs, Rusty Crowe, Ferrell Haile, Joey Hensley, Ed Jackson, Jack Johnson, Jon Lundberg, Becky Massey, Frank Niceley, Bill Powers, Shane Reeves, Kerry Roberts, Steve Southerland, John Stevens, Art Swann, Brent Taylor, Page Walley, Bo Watson, Dawn White, Ken Yager, and Senate Speaker Randy McNally.
The House version of the bill HB1808 being carried by Representative Ed Butler (R-Rickman-District 41) will be heard in the Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee on 3/5/2024.
If you wish to share your thoughts on the proposed legislation ahead of the vote on March 5th, contact the members of the House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee by email or phone:
Chair Mary Littleton (R) – rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-7477
Rush Bricken (R) – rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-7448
Andrew Farmer (R) – rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-4419
Ron Gant (R) – rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-6890
Johnny Garrett (R) – rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-3893
Torrey Harris (D) – rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-2239
Darren Jernigan (D) – rep.darren.jernigan@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-6959
Jason Powell (D) – rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-6861
Robert Stevens (R) – rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-3830
rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov, rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov, rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov, rep.darren.jernigan@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov
About the Author: Paula Gomes is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative.
You can reach Paula at paula@tennesseeconservativenews.com.
