Bill > SB0219

This bill amends Tennessee law to modify how parents or guardians are held financially responsible for their children's repeated delinquent acts. Under the proposed legislation, if a juvenile is found to have committed a third or subsequent delinquent act, the court must now mandate that the parent, legal custodian, or guardian who had custody of the child at the time pay restitution to law enforcement agencies for their investigation and response expenses. The restitution amounts are specifically structured: a minimum of $250 for acts that would be misdemeanors if committed by an adult, and a minimum of $500 for acts that would be felonies if committed by an adult, with a maximum restitution cap of $1,000. In cases where the parent or guardian is determined to be indigent and unable to pay, the court can alternatively order community service work in lieu of financial restitution. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and is designed to create a more structured financial accountability mechanism for parents when their children repeatedly engage in delinquent behavior.

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https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0219&ga=114