Bill > SB2539

This bill amends Tennessee law concerning children's custody by establishing that past conduct of a parent or caregiver, even if it occurred before the most recent parenting plan, can be considered by a court if it's relevant to the child's best interest, with "evidence" broadly defined to include various forms of documentation and professional reports. Crucially, when determining a child's best interest, courts are now mandated to give the highest weight to credible evidence of physical abuse, sexual abuse, or domestic violence, and this weight must be applied equally regardless of whether the abuse was against the child or another member of the child's household, such as siblings or step-siblings. Furthermore, the bill creates a presumption that placing a child with a parent found to have committed such abuse is not in the child's best interest, and if a court overrides this presumption, it must provide written findings explaining why and review any available protective services records beforehand.

Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/Default?BillNumber=SB2539&ga=114