Tennessee House Bill HB2083

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/24/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36; Title 37 and Title 40, relative to parental rights.

Impact

If enacted, HB2083 would directly influence the legal framework governing parental rights in Tennessee. The extension of the time from ten to twenty years signifies a significant shift in how the state recognizes and enforces parental legal obligations and rights. This may further affect custody arrangements, visitation rights, and related family law matters by ensuring that obligations are recognized for a longer duration, which is likely intended to improve consistency for children in custody arrangements and parental involvement.

Summary

House Bill 2083 is a legislative proposal in Tennessee aimed at amending existing statutes related to parental rights. The bill proposes changes to the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically Titles 36, 37, and 40, which govern family law and parental responsibilities. One of the main amendments includes changing the timeframe for certain requirements or rights from ten years to twenty years, thereby extending the period in which specific parental rights and obligations persist under the law. This modification is intended to provide more stability for family arrangements and parental responsibilities over a more extended timeframe.

Contention

The bill may evoke mixed reactions from various stakeholders, including family law advocates and parents. Proponents argue that longer timeframes can lead to more stable environments for children and allow parents to fulfill their responsibilities more thoroughly. However, critics may raise concerns that extending these rights could complicate legal processes or hinder the ability to modify custody arrangements if circumstances change significantly over time. Overall, the bill aligns with a trend toward recognizing long-term parental rights but may also spark discussions about its implications on an evolving family law landscape.