Tennessee Senate Bill SB2888

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/1/24

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 39, Chapter 15, Part 4, relative to offenses committed against children.

Impact

If passed, SB2888 would reinforce existing laws by explicitly identifying behaviors that endanger children. This change could potentially lead to stricter legal repercussions for individuals whose actions put children at risk due to substance exposure or domestic violence incidents. The bill aims to enhance child protection frameworks in Tennessee, ensuring that the legal system acknowledges and adequately addresses these serious offenses. The effective date for the bill is set for July 1, 2024, should it be enacted.

Summary

SB2888 is a legislative bill aimed at amending Tennessee Code Annotated concerning offenses committed against children. The bill specifically seeks to define conditions under which a person's conduct could place a child in imminent danger, particularly relating to exposure to controlled substances such as methamphetamine. This amendment outlines that a child's exposure to these substances—quantified through testing of bodily substances—constitutes a significant risk to their health and safety. Additionally, it includes provisions that consider domestic abuse occurring in the presence of a child as a serious offense, further emphasizing the need for child welfare.

Contention

As the bill focuses heavily on the welfare and safety of children, discussions surrounding SB2888 may arise from various local and state stakeholders. Issues of contention could include debates on the balance between parental rights and child safety, particularly in the context of domestic environments where substance abuse is present. Critics may argue that the bill could lead to overreach in parental rights or inadequate support for families affected by substance misuse. Advocates for child welfare will likely support the bill as a critical step towards safeguarding vulnerable populations.