Tennessee House Bill HB1515

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/31/23
• Refer: 2/2/23

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 8; Title 36; Title 49 and Title 67, relative to marriage.

Impact

By integrating the consideration of adverse childhood experiences into custody arrangements, HB1515 is expected to have a significant influence on family law within the state. This change aims to create a more supportive environment for children coping with the complexities of their parents' separation, promoting policies that recognize the challenges and traumas that children may face. As a result, judges and legal practitioners may need to adopt new protocols for assessing custody and visitation in light of this revised understanding of children's needs.

Summary

House Bill 1515 proposes amendments to various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to marriage and its dissolution. The bill particularly focuses on the impact of parental separation on minor children, emphasizing the importance of considering adverse childhood experiences during such proceedings. The underlying goal of the bill is to ensure that the emotional and psychological well-being of children is a priority in custody evaluations and decisions following a divorce.

Contention

While the bill appears benevolent in its intentions, there may be potential points of contention surrounding its implementation. Critics could argue that introducing such amendments may complicate legal proceedings and result in subjective interpretations of a child's experiences. Additionally, there may be concerns regarding the adequacy of resources available for properly evaluating adverse childhood experiences and how this could affect timely resolutions in custody cases.