Tennessee House Bill HB1827

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/11/24
• Refer: 1/24/24
• Refer: 3/26/24
• Refer: 4/2/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37, relative to unruly children.

Impact

Under this proposed legislation, children alleged to be unruly would not be allowed to be detained for more than seventy-two hours, excluding nonjudicial days, unless a detention hearing has taken place and there is a judicial determination of probable cause for a valid court order. This amendment reflects a shift towards protecting the rights of minors in the juvenile justice system, aiming to ensure that they are not held for extended periods without legal justification.

Summary

House Bill 1827 aims to amend existing legislation pertaining to the treatment of unruly children within the Tennessee juvenile justice system. Specifically, the bill proposes a modification to Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 37, regarding the detention of children alleged to be unruly. The proposed changes are intended to establish stricter limits on the duration of detention for these children before a judicial hearing is conducted, thereby emphasizing the importance of due process in juvenile cases.

Contention

The discussion surrounding HB 1827 may bring forth various points of contention, particularly from advocates focused on juvenile justice reform, who may support the bill for its potential in protecting children's rights. However, opponents may express concerns about balancing the need for public safety with the rights of children accused of being unruly. There may also be discussions on whether this change in law could lead to challenges in managing unruly behavior in children, raising issues of accountability for parents and guardians.