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The Tennessee Conservative [By Rebecca Scott] –
In 2023, Governor Bill Lee signed legislation into law that could criminalize parents based entirely on anonymous allegations. This is problematic when a parent is falsely accused and the DCS becomes involved.
Now being considered in the legislature are House Bill 1986 (HB1986), sponsored by Representative Jody Barrett (R-Dickson-District 69), and Senate Bill 1797 (SB1797), sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28).
These bills are in regard to the Department of Children’s Services and would prohibit “the department from accepting anonymous reports of child abuse or neglect; requires the investigator of allegations of child abuse or neglect to provide the parent or person having control over a child who is the subject of the investigation with certain materials prior to visiting the child’s home or interviewing the child. – Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 39.”
There has been concern that children could be wrongfully funneled into the system by DCS based on anonymous reports if legislation is not passed that would protect against unidentified individuals potentially making unsubstantiated claims against parents.
Family advocates say that HB1986 and SB1797, while not perfect, are a step in the right direction to help protect parents and families against illegitimate claims.
HB1986 is scheduled to be heard by the Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee on March 19th, and SB1797 is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 19th as well.
If you wish to share your thoughts on the proposed legislation ahead of the vote on March 19th, contact the members of the House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee and Senate Judiciary Committee by email or phone:
House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee
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
Todd Gardenhire (R) – sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov – (615)7 41-6682
Sara Kyle (D) – sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4167
London Lamar (D) – sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2509
Jon Lundberg (R) – sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5761
Kerry Roberts (R) – sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4499
Paul Rose (R) – sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1967
John Stevens (R) – sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4576
Brent Taylor (R) – sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3036
Dawn White (R) – sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6853
sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov, sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov, sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov, sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov, sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov, sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov, sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov, sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov, sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov
Rebecca Scott is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative.
You can reach Rebecca at Rebecca@tennesseeconservativenews.com
