Bill > SB2538

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 them. It explicitly states that children have the right to be free from physical, sexual, emotional, and psychological 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 certain proceedings, to have their views considered in an age-appropriate manner, to express concerns without fear of retaliation, and to have legal matters affecting them resolved promptly. Furthermore, it mandates that courts and judges prioritize a child's safety and well-being, consider all relevant evidence of risk, and provide clear reasons when deviating from the recommendations of child protective services or other child welfare professionals. Violations of these rights are considered a deprivation of constitutional rights, and children, through representatives, can seek legal remedies.

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https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/Default?BillNumber=SB2538&ga=114