Bill > HB0629

This bill introduces two key provisions related to juveniles in Tennessee: First, it allows juvenile courts to order children accused of being delinquent or unruly to wear a global positioning monitoring system (GPS) device when released before a hearing, with the system's operator required to notify the assigned probation officer or responsible entity if the child violates court-issued release instructions. Second, the bill mandates that students expelled for making threats of mass violence on school property or at school-related activities must undergo counseling and a mental health evaluation before returning to school, with the evaluation to be conducted by a mental health agency or licensed practitioner designated by the state's mental health commissioner. The mental health evaluation must assess whether the student poses a threat to themselves or others, and the evaluation's findings are to be reported confidentially to the school's director. The costs of the counseling and evaluation will be borne by the student's parents or the student themselves if they are 18 or older. These provisions aim to enhance monitoring of juvenile behavior and improve school safety by requiring mental health assessments for students who have made serious threats. The bill is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, and will apply to actions occurring on or after that date.

Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB0629&ga=114