Bill > SB2165

This bill requires the Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS) to provide a copy of a petition to terminate parental rights to a child's foster parent if that foster parent has been the child's physical placement for at least nine consecutive months, and this is in the context of the child being in the legal custody or guardianship of DCS. The department must deliver this petition copy within seven days of either filing it or being officially served with it. Additionally, the bill mandates that DCS provide foster parents with all relevant information about a child's background and health history in a timely manner, and continue to offer additional necessary information on an ongoing basis, with the understanding that foster parents must keep any confidential information, including the termination of parental rights petition, private unless it's needed to ensure the child's health and welfare.