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Bill > HB1844
TN HB1844
TN HB1844AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36, Chapter 1, Part 1 and Title 68, Chapter 11, Part 2, relative to voluntary surrendering of an infant.
summary
Introduced
01/21/2026
01/21/2026
In Committee
02/17/2026
02/17/2026
Crossed Over
Passed
Dead
Introduced Session
Potential new amendment
114th General Assembly
Bill Summary
As introduced, revises various provisions governing surrendering custody of unwanted infants, including adding an ambulance station that has staff scheduled 24 hours a day to the list of facilities that must receive possession of a newborn infant left on the premises with an employee or member of the professional medical community if certain listed conditions are met. - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 1, Part 1 and Title 68, Chapter 11, Part 2.
AI Summary
This bill amends Tennessee law regarding the voluntary surrender of infants, commonly known as "safe haven" laws, by expanding the types of facilities that can accept a newborn left in their care. Specifically, it adds an ambulance station with staff scheduled 24 hours a day to the list of locations, alongside fire departments, hospitals, police stations, emergency communications centers, and nursing homes, where a parent can safely leave an infant with an employee. The bill also clarifies that these facilities must have staff scheduled continuously around the clock and removes a sentence from the existing law that may have created ambiguity. These changes aim to provide more options for parents who wish to surrender an infant anonymously and safely.
Committee Categories
Budget and Finance, Health and Social Services
Sponsors (8)
Ed Butler (R)*,
Fred Atchley (R),
Kip Capley (R),
Rick Eldridge (R),
Ron Gant (R),
Timothy Hill (R),
Tom Leatherwood (R),
Tom Stinnett (R),
Last Action
HA0568 - Amendment 1-0 to HB1844 (on 02/18/2026)
bill text
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bill summary
| Document Type | Source Location |
|---|---|
| State Bill Page | https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=HB1844&ga=114 |
| Amendment 1-0 to HB1844 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Amend/HA0568.pdf |
| Amendment 1-0 to SB1773 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Amend/SA0482.pdf |
| Fiscal Memo for SA0482 (13053) | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/FM1525.pdf |
| Fiscal Note - SB1773 | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Fiscal/SB1773.pdf |
| BillText | https://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/114/Bill/HB1844.pdf |
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