[{"_1":2,"_112":-5,"_113":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,76,88,100],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},"mediaId",6108986,"mediaKeyId","2765054-d26f3a14a7bc96f2ebaedb7405e56837","parentId",2765054,"title","Committee approves amendment to expand abuse definition, adds reunification requirements; bill moves to full judiciary 7-0","audioSeconds",207,"startMs",1857000,"endMs",2064000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=2765054-d26f3a14a7bc96f2ebaedb7405e56837&start=1857&end=2064","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2765054-d26f3a14a7bc96f2ebaedb7405e56837/thumbnail_1857000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6108986/Tennessee/Committee-approves-amendment-to-expand-abuse-definition-adds-reunification-requirements-bill-moves-to-full-judiciary-7-0","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108986-7710ec7f93b688ae0ed201dcce21d031/orig.mp4?Expires=1770984681&Signature=BJc3ODjNOJ-RFve5K1JZ4meljGPCRBtrhqnAq1fCybiUSo8lklKNTIBJXTMGrK-TpwwW7KwZ-uhxR6E0b1AHhFj6xoH~M18v3OhGAsfcy2xM6W--LDV9qMVYFThpb9TWXK7RGZlwiTMiS-ic8cvm2UOp~x2Rl0bN9Q9-4Ne1PjI0ZhjQkYbDfybht-~AmZV9uj79BRvQJ96Yhbwx~c4IE1sqEbtveiSn6T6baJafyYMk6COcfWuPPtiS0iL~Nl~nSglW-iW9yrjF2pCU3zEAtMA8uDIrWc6V3YycC4vrTtjiynAshplzWRKgVuUpRi2pU4QeXatnGdDrdZpxi89CkA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","TN State Legislature","date","2025-03-25T00:00:00Z","article","Chairlady Littleton presented House Bill 13 60 and amendment code 6,094 to the Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee on March 25. The amendment expands the statutory definition of abuse and sets conditions for reunification when abuse has led to a child's removal.

The amendment, summarized by the sponsor, “expands the definition of abuse to include when a person 18 years of age witnesses either the abuse or domestic abuse of another child or, in their immediate family or household.” It also holds that when a child is removed from parental custody because of a finding of abuse and is placed in foster care, reunification may occur only after the parent achieves sufficient progress on the permanency plan, completes required services addressing domestic violence (if applicable), and the child has received mental-health counseling that includes domestic-violence therapy.

The committee attached amendment 6,094, called the question and recorded a roll-call vote of seven ayes, zero nos. House Bill 13 60 as amended was sent to full judiciary.

The sponsor and members said the changes are intended to protect children from exposure to domestic violence while still creating a pathway for safe reunification when parents make required progress.

Next steps: House Bill 13 60 as amended proceeds to the full judiciary committee for further consideration.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee Mar 25, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","House Bill 13 60, as amended, would expand the statutory definition of abuse to include an 18-year-old witnessing abuse and require parents to complete specified services and ensure children receive domestic violence counseling before reunification; the subcommittee adopted amendment 6,094 and voted 7-0 to send the bill to full judiciary.","taxTitle","Children and Family Affairs, House of Representatives, Committees, Legislative, Tennessee","taxId",79850,"location","Tennessee","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":77,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":78,"_41":79,"_43":80,"_45":81,"_47":82,"_49":83,"_51":84,"_53":85,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":86,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":87,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108991,"Subcommittee sends childhood-hunger task force bill to full judiciary after unanimous vote",158,1719000,1877000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2765054-d26f3a14a7bc96f2ebaedb7405e56837&start=1719&end=1877","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2765054-d26f3a14a7bc96f2ebaedb7405e56837/thumbnail_1719000.jpg","/articles/6108991/Tennessee/Subcommittee-sends-childhood-hunger-task-force-bill-to-full-judiciary-after-unanimous-vote","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108991-fd873960abc40ddf64879fc10d0faf17/orig.mp4?Expires=1770984681&Signature=TMAtA~ld7H2K2khrslzKTtAecJ~yueHdvvATKBavknRpYUCBScQMXrTMzNY1J2UekwQjHDrIzlvRnPBEi~P7FxCD6MdwhYJI7R-T~pnlUthqLnXH2lZeyy2u0HduDar3uB2TQ2tLDzV9tZ0zrJji1tmIlLXcgqvoBboVzhr9hgrmFYVc136d3DB2P7UU3f2jFq5g2fMUPZDHCYkD3vggjiB-1HKA9aGZyABYOcKnN-~ZA5itUu-5FVW76kPJrevthTCAFp6vtS1xsnA4~2VU70imCqIbTDDu83IA56S1LMOjYrEJpdtDX2R-g-H-uDz13RrYFojo3axmw5FImJXlUw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairlady Littleton presented House Bill 13 57 on March 25, proposing the creation of a childhood-hunger task force administratively attached to the Tennessee Department of Human Services.

Littleton told the Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee the task force would be charged with developing a strategic action plan to guide the administration and the General Assembly on ending childhood hunger. The bill specifies the task force hold its first meeting in July, meet quarterly thereafter, and submit a report of findings and recommendations to the General Assembly by July 2026; the measure provides that the task force will cease to exist following submission of that report.

The committee adopted amendment code 5,990 and, after calling the question, the clerk reported a vote of six ayes, zero nos, and zero present-not-voting. The subcommittee voted to send House Bill 13 57 as amended to full judiciary.

Details included in the measure: administrative attachment to the Department of Human Services, a first meeting in July, quarterly meetings, and a report deadline of July 2026 at which point the task force sunsets.

Next steps: House Bill 13 57 as amended moves to the full judiciary committee for consideration.","Chairlady Littleton’s House Bill 1357, creating a childhood-hunger task force administratively attached to the Department of Human Services with a report due July 2026, passed the subcommittee by voice vote (6-0) and will go to full judiciary.",{"_33":89,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":90,"_41":91,"_43":92,"_45":93,"_47":94,"_49":95,"_51":96,"_53":97,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":98,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":99,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6108996,"Committee adopts amendment but delays vote on bill to permit voluntary extrajudicial surrender; judiciary seeks more review",498,1279000,1777000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2765054-d26f3a14a7bc96f2ebaedb7405e56837&start=1279&end=1777","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2765054-d26f3a14a7bc96f2ebaedb7405e56837/thumbnail_1279000.jpg","/articles/6108996/Tennessee/Committee-adopts-amendment-but-delays-vote-on-bill-to-permit-voluntary-extrajudicial-surrender-judiciary-seeks-more-review","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6108996-b8d4e7bcff9753041d6586855e1a131a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770984681&Signature=fn6VA2atuVKJeLPLl~4S5e0ITQXQfsusZowaqjpDD7iUarHrc~iDKQlKbgcqS8bPFrgygPVxqFCVX0sq5EJB3JoENBOgUc4ZibY30mkxvnCQKvozpJZz3jBgyopO5NSNju3I~2U-ZVgXWw43HI-AiI3ppESsoXJBWJG6byyr8ip7N7w5ZRcq0Aoc73uerfrDideKlS3pJ6F1rQ6nMMcB7bv6ZPvG-6EQGYYMsyz4ahXCECBomO7HVY16tkp2inR7K~HpBFh~aqlf3ArWsRSYEuA1eEJEY03V5SsfWFORT9~YGyqB4nNk3PZfDu-BxOo2Ba7o0dtK3B4VDBbOXzbOrQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Chairman Slater presented House Bill 1263 and an amendment (code 4,654) to the Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee on March 25. The committee adopted the amendment by voice vote and then heard testimony from the Administrative Office of the Courts, juvenile court judges and adoption stakeholders.

Michelle Consiglio Young, director and counsel of the Intergovernmental Affairs Division at the Administrative Office of the Courts, told the committee that the judiciary has concerns with the amendment as drafted and called the issue one of constitutional importance. “This issue is of utmost importance to the judiciary. It is dealing with fundamental constitutional right of a parent,” Consiglio Young said, and asked for additional conversations with the sponsor, judges and other stakeholders to refine the proposal.

Tasha Alexander, representing the Tennessee Council of Juvenile and Family Court Judges, similarly asked for further discussions. Representatives of the Adoption Project — including Jeremy Harrell — and an adoptive parent, Lauren Webb, said they supported a carefully constructed statutory pathway to permit voluntary extrajudicial surrender but welcomed further stakeholder negotiation.

Harrell: “It's something that's very important to me and I think it's important for both adoptive families and the children but also the birth parents.” Lauren Webb said she personally used a similar surrender process in another state and urged protections for both birth parents and adoptive families.

Committee leadership and witnesses agreed to continue stakeholder meetings over the summer to address constitutional and procedural concerns. Without objection, the subcommittee placed House Bill 1263 as amended on the first calendar of the 2026 session to allow additional drafting and review.

Next steps: sponsors and judiciary representatives will continue negotiations over the summer, with the bill slated for the 2026 calendar for further action.","House Bill 1263, which would authorize a voluntary extrajudicial surrender process for adoption, received an amendment and testimony from the Administrative Office of the Courts and stakeholders; the judiciary urged more work over the summer to protect constitutional parental rights before the bill returns to a 2026 calendar.",{"_33":101,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":102,"_41":103,"_43":104,"_45":105,"_47":106,"_49":107,"_51":108,"_53":109,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":110,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":111,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":72,"_73":74,"_75":74},6109001,"Tennessee committee advances bill to conserve federal benefits for children in state care",415,950000,1365000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=2765054-d26f3a14a7bc96f2ebaedb7405e56837&start=950&end=1365","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/2765054-d26f3a14a7bc96f2ebaedb7405e56837/thumbnail_950000.jpg","/articles/6109001/Tennessee/Tennessee-committee-advances-bill-to-conserve-federal-benefits-for-children-in-state-care","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6109001-f6cda76f76b8d67afa9efdc0f3bcf337/orig.mp4?Expires=1770984681&Signature=m5bQ5QWj3XBBdHgHO-1n~-3k~40cUYS56emh~zmv0REZ-kW1jEpFPmGXC1VQ-GeZE3hd-oFgS4Ve7Of3POiVLl55boda4VJMYuCIq1qcAfh868UhxvKlK5XKZ807YzwoRaXDhqdkCyVaBv-Rt9UzuaXDn8fxCc1v~lSATPvDnSIawo5r-DQmUQ0BaEBiweE9GENWncX6bnBJd5p9nw4Hx-E4U-t3yMod0jT-FduUuqvQPwvEj-xU8jgHAUXIojcyK6mpi2Ax5fZ42qaRModoEcpYq2sKnf-GodYa18PLpen-4EGjV46z9rpNIj8Afn-quY3T6gEwqrVRoRYz4AYoEA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Representative Jason Love presented House Bill 1235 to the Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee on March 25, proposing that when the Department of Children’s Services receives federal benefits as a representative payee for a child in its care, a portion of those funds be conserved for that child’s future use.

The measure would apply to federal benefits for which a child in state custody is eligible — the sponsor mentioned social security survivors benefits, supplemental security income and foster-care or adoption-assistance payments — and would direct the department to conserve some funds for the child rather than applying them fully to current costs.

“This bill would seek to then, direct that when a department receives as representative payee on behalf of a child for any federal funds ... that they would conserve some of those funds for that child's use,” Representative Jason Love told the committee. He said the issue affects many children who have benefits available but whose funds are not being preserved for them.

Representative Jason Love told the panel the state is aware of similar efforts in other states and that the measure carries a substantial fiscal note. He said the office is discussing alternatives with the Department of Children’s Services. The sponsor described mechanisms under consideration including 529 plans, special-needs trusts or bank accounts to preserve funds for a child when they age out of foster care.

Representative Jerome Towns pressed the sponsor on permissible uses for conserved funds — college, transportation or housing — and stressed the need for an accessible start-up resource for youth leaving state care. “The kids don't need to be high and dry when they out of the system. They need something to start,” Towns said.

Representative Allison asked whether the bill applies only when a parent is deceased; the sponsor confirmed it applies when death triggers the child's receipt of those benefits.

Committee members noted the bill’s fiscal implications. Without objection, the subcommittee rolled House Bill 1235 to the first calendar of the next legislative year (February) for continued work and to allow further conversation with the department and finance committees.

Next steps: the bill will be worked by the sponsor and staff over the interim and return to the subcommittee/calendar next year for further consideration.","Representative Jason Love presented House Bill 1235 to require that when the Department of Children's Services receives federal benefits as a representative payee for a child in its care, some of those funds be conserved for the child; the subcommittee agreed to send the bill to next year’s first calendar for further work.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee approves amendment to expand abuse definition, adds reunification requirements; bill moves to full judiciary 7-0

Subcommittee sends childhood-hunger task force bill to full judiciary after unanimous vote

Committee adopts amendment but delays vote on bill to permit voluntary extrajudicial surrender; judiciary seeks more review

Tennessee committee advances bill to conserve federal benefits for children in state care