First Safe Haven Baby Surrendered at Tennessee’s First “Baby Box”
Tennessee’s First Safe Haven Baby Box, Installed In February Of This Year, Was Actually Used Over The Weekend For The Very First Time.
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Tennessee Department of Children’s Services
Tennessee Governor Signs Parental Rights Bill Counteracting Mature Minor Doctrine
Governor Bill Lee Signed A Bill That Counteracts Tennessee’s “Mature Minor Doctrine” On Wednesday. The Mature Minor Doctrine Clarification Act, Sponsored By Representative John Ragan And Senator Janice Bowling, Requires That Healthcare Providers Obtain Informed Consent From A Parent Or Legal Guardian Before Providing Vaccinations To A Minor.
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Tennessee Commission On Children And Youth Report Shows One In Five Kids Live In Poverty
According To A New Report From the Tennessee Commission On Children And Youth, Nearly One In Five Tennessee Kids Live In Poverty And It Varies Greatly By Geography.
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Tennessee Children No Longer Sleeping In DCS Offices Thanks To Faith-Based Community
Thanks To The Religious Community In Tennessee, Children In State Custody Will No Longer Be Housed In Department Of Children’s Services (DCS) Office Buildings.
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Gov. Lee Signs Bill Into Law That Could Criminalize Parents Based On Anonymous Allegations Of Abuse Or Neglect
Legislation To Make It A Criminal Offense For Families To Hide Children Outside Of The State When That Child Is In DCS Custody Was Signed Into Law By Governor Lee. Since DCS Is Not Required To Verify The Credibility Of Anonymous Sources Making Accusations Of Child Abuse Or Neglect, This Legislation Could Possibly Make It Easier To Criminalize Parents Who Have Not Committed Such An Offense.
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DCS Social Worker Caseload Bill Fails To Pass At End Of Session
The Tennessee Legislature Approved $183 Million In New Funding To Bolster The Department Of Children’s Services This Session, But A Bill Designed To Reduce The Caseload For Social Workers Slipped Through The Cracks In The Waning Days, Leaving Some Lawmakers Worried That The Agency Will Continue To Struggle To Place Foster Children.
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Governor Lee Signs Law To Expedite Adoptions And Foster Care Processes
Governor Bill Lee Signed A Bill Into Law Monday Aimed At Making The Foster And Adoption Process More Efficient. The Legislation Was Written By The Governor’s Office With The Hope That People Would Choose Adoption For Their Unborn Children Rather Than Abortion.
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DCS Caseworkers May Have 400% More Cases Than Approved, But Has A New Slogan: “Children First!”
As Heard In The Tennessee House Government Operations Committee Yesterday, Department Of Children’s Services (DCS) Caseworkers May Be Responsible For 400% Of The Approved Number Of Cases, But The Agency Has A New Slogan: Children First!
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TN House Passes Bill That Could Criminalize Parents Based On Anonymous Allegations
The Tennessee General Assembly Has Just Passed A Bill To Amend Current Law, Making It A Criminal Offense For Families To Hide Children Outside Of The State When That Child Is In Custody Of The Department Of Children’s Services.
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Bill Requiring Parental Consent For Vaccination Of Children Under Consideration By Tennessee Legislature
Legislation That Would Counteract Tennessee’s “Mature Minor” Doctrine, Which Currently Allows Children Across The State To Secure Vaccinations And Certain Other Medical Care Without Parental Knowledge, Continues To Advance In The Tennessee General Assembly This Week.
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