Tennessee Legislature Considers Bill Prohibiting Anonymous Reports Of Child Abuse Or Neglect

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The Tennessee Conservative [By Rebecca Scott] –

In 2023, Governor Bill Lee signed legislation into law that could criminalize parents based entirely on anonymous allegations. This is problematic when a parent is falsely accused and the DCS becomes involved.

Now being considered in the legislature are House Bill 1986 (HB1986), sponsored by Representative Jody Barrett (R-Dickson-District 69), and Senate Bill 1797 (SB1797), sponsored by Senator Joey Hensley (R-Hohenwald-District 28).

These bills are in regard to the Department of Children’s Services and would prohibit “the department from accepting anonymous reports of child abuse or neglect; requires the investigator of allegations of child abuse or neglect to provide the parent or person having control over a child who is the subject of the investigation with certain materials prior to visiting the child’s home or interviewing the child. – Amends TCA Title 37 and Title 39.”

There has been concern that children could be wrongfully funneled into the system by DCS based on anonymous reports if legislation is not passed that would protect against unidentified individuals potentially making unsubstantiated claims against parents.

Family advocates say that HB1986 and SB1797, while not perfect, are a step in the right direction to help protect parents and families against illegitimate claims.

HB1986 is scheduled to be heard by the Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee on March 19^th, and SB1797 is scheduled to be heard by the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 19^th as well.

If you wish to share your thoughts on the proposed legislation ahead of the vote on March 19th, contact the members of the House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee and Senate Judiciary Committee by email or phone:

House Children & Family Affairs Subcommittee

Chair Mary Littleton (R) – rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-7477

Rush Bricken (R) – rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-7448

Andrew Farmer (R) – rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-4419

Ron Gant (R) – rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-6890

Johnny Garrett (R) – rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-3893

Torrey Harris (D) – rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-2239

Darren Jernigan (D) – rep.darren.jernigan@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-6959

Jason Powell (D) – rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-6861

Robert Stevens (R) – rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov (615) 741-3830

rep.mary.littleton@capitol.tn.gov, rep.rush.bricken@capitol.tn.gov, rep.andrew.farmer@capitol.tn.gov, rep.ron.gant@capitol.tn.gov, rep.johnny.garrett@capitol.tn.gov, rep.torrey.harris@capitol.tn.gov, rep.darren.jernigan@capitol.tn.gov, rep.jason.powell@capitol.tn.gov, rep.robert.stevens@capitol.tn.gov 

Senate Judiciary Committee

Todd Gardenhire (R) – sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov  – (615)7 41-6682

Sara Kyle (D) – sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4167

London Lamar (D) – sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-2509

Jon Lundberg (R) – sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-5761

Kerry Roberts (R) – sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4499

Paul Rose (R) – sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-1967

John Stevens (R) – sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-4576

Brent Taylor (R) – sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-3036

Dawn White (R) – sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov – (615) 741-6853

sen.todd.gardenhire@capitol.tn.gov, sen.sara.kyle@capitol.tn.gov, sen.london.lamar@capitol.tn.gov, sen.jon.lundberg@capitol.tn.gov, sen.kerry.roberts@capitol.tn.gov, sen.paul.rose@capitol.tn.gov, sen.john.stevens@capitol.tn.gov, sen.brent.taylor@capitol.tn.gov, sen.dawn.white@capitol.tn.gov

Rebecca Scott is a Tennessee resident and reporter for The Tennessee Conservative. 

You can reach Rebecca at Rebecca@tennesseeconservativenews.com