Tennessee House Bill HB2936

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/24
• Refer: 2/5/24
• Refer: 3/19/24
• Refer: 4/2/24
• Chaptered: 6/3/24
• Passed: 6/3/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68, relative to families' rights and responsibilities.

Impact

If enacted, HB 2936 will lead to significant amendments in the Tennessee Code Annotated across several titles, including provisions that safeguard parental control over important aspects of their children's lives. The bill asserts that no governmental body may substantially infringe upon the rights of parents unless they can demonstrate a compelling governmental interest. This could change how state agencies interact with parents, particularly in healthcare and educational contexts, ensuring that parents are at the forefront of decisions impacting their children.

Summary

House Bill 2936, titled the 'Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act', aims to enshrine and enhance the rights of parents concerning the upbringing and decision-making for their children. It introduces measures that mandate parental consent for various actions regarding a child's health care and educational decisions, emphasizing that the rights of parents are fundamental and must not be impeded by government entities without a compelling interest. By explicitly defining parental rights related to education, health care, and custody, the bill seeks to strengthen the authority of parents in these critical areas.

Sentiment

The general sentiment around the bill appears to be polarized. Proponents argue that it reaffirms parental authority and protects familial structures from intrusive government actions, which they see as increasingly necessary in today’s political climate. On the other hand, critics express concerns that the bill may lead to unintended consequences, potentially limiting the ability of social services or educational institutions to act in the best interest of children when parental interests conflict with the child's welfare.

Contention

Notable points of contention include the provisions on parental consent for medical treatments and the collection of biometric data on children. Some stakeholders worry that strict adherence to parental consent might hinder timely medical care for minors and limit the effectiveness of educational programs designed to address children's needs. Additionally, while the bill spells out the rights of parents, discussions on how it balances these rights with child welfare provisions have raised alarms among various advocacy groups who fear that this could lead to neglect if parental decisions are prioritized to the detriment of child health or safety.