Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

Tennessee Senate Bill SB1878

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to parental rights.

Impact

If enacted, SB1878 would significantly affect the family law landscape in Tennessee by explicitly linking the termination of parental rights to the cessation of child support obligations. This could lead to more straightforward adjudications in termination cases, as courts and families would have a better understanding of the financial implications. The bill seeks to alleviate some of the administrative burdens placed on the courts by providing a clear guideline, potentially reducing lengthy legal disputes over support obligations following rights termination.

Summary

Senate Bill 1878, introduced by Senator Campbell, proposes amendments to various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning parental rights. The key change in the bill is to clarify the legal ramifications concerning child support when parental rights are terminated. Specifically, it stipulates that a parent whose rights have been terminated will no longer be liable for future child support payments. This adjustment aims to streamline legal proceedings involving child custody and support issues, addressing potential ambiguities that have arisen in family law courts regarding the obligations of parents post-termination of rights.

Contention

However, this bill is not without its detractors, who argue that it could undermine the importance of parental responsibility and potentially lead to financial insecurity for children. Critics may voice concerns that automatically eliminating child support could discourage the responsible parent from pursuing a meaningful relationship with their children after rights termination. Additionally, advocates for children's rights may worry about the implications for child welfare if support is curtailed without consideration of the child's needs, elevating the tension between parental rights and child support responsibilities.

Companion Bills

TN HB1942

Crossfiled AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to parental rights.

Previously Filed As

TN HB1942

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 36; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to parental rights.

TN SB2744

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 14; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to parental rights.

TN HB2945

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 14; Title 36; Title 37; Title 39; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to parental rights.

TN SB1331

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 41; Title 49; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to children.

TN HB2550

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 41; Title 49; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to children.

TN HB1131

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 41; Title 49; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to children.

TN SB2354

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 41; Title 49; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to children.

TN HB1003

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 41; Title 49; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to children.

TN SB1403

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 41; Title 49; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to children.

TN SB0547

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 49; Title 56; Title 63; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to health care.

Similar Bills

No similar bills found.