Bill > HB2128

This bill establishes that children in Tennessee have fundamental rights, including equal protection under the law, the right to safety and protection from harm, and that their best interests must be the primary consideration in all legal proceedings, government actions, and policy decisions affecting their welfare. It specifically states that children have the right to be free from abuse, neglect, and exploitation, and should not be placed with individuals who have a history of harming children. The bill also grants children the right to legal representation in significant welfare or custody cases, to have their views considered appropriately, to speak about their safety without fear of reprisal, and to have legal matters affecting them resolved promptly. Furthermore, it mandates that courts prioritize a child's safety and well-being, consider all evidence of risk, and require clear justification when overriding recommendations from child protective services or other child welfare professionals. Violations of these rights are considered a deprivation of constitutional rights, and children can seek legal remedies for such violations.