HB 1170 - SB 1259
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
February 26, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Arielle Woodmore | Email: arielle.woodmore@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
HB 1170 - SB 1259
SUMMARY OF BILL: Establishes that neglect does not include permitting a child, whose
basic needs are met and who is of a sufficient age and maturity to avoid harm or unreasonable risk
of harm, to engage in independent activities, as it relates to child abuse and child neglect or
endangerment.
FISCAL IMPACT:
NOT SIGNIFICANT
Assumptions:
• Pursuant to Tenn. Code Ann. § 39-15-401(b), any person who knowingly abuses or neglects
a child under 18 years of age, so as to adversely affect the child's health and welfare,
commits a Class A misdemeanor; provided, that, if the abused or neglected child is eight
years of age or less, the penalty is a Class E felony.
• The proposed legislation specifies that neglect does not include allowing a child, whose
basic needs are met and who is of a sufficient age, to engage in independent activities
including, but not limited to:
o Traveling to and from school, including by walking, running, or bicycling;
o Traveling to and from nearby commercial or recreational facilities;
o Playing outdoors;
o Remaining at home unattended for a reasonable period of time; and
o Other similar independent activity.
• The proposed legislation aligns with current practices of the Department of Children’s
Services and is not anticipated to increase caseloads; therefore, the fiscal impact is not
significant.
• There will not be a sufficient change in the number of prosecutions for state or local
government to experience any significant change in revenue or expenditures.
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director