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SB 609

Child Custody and Support - As enacted, requires a court to consider the extent to which a parenting schedule provides each parent a meaningful opportunity to participate in the child's life, consistent with the child's best interest, in addition to the other relevant factors, when making a child custody determination. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 37.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Becky Massey

Tennessee bill increases minimum parental remote contact rights from twice to three times weekly via phone/video for non-custodial parents when technology is available.

Transmitted to Governor for action.
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Bill Summary · SB 609

Legislative bill overview

SB 609 increases the minimum frequency of remote contact between non-custodial parents and their children from twice weekly to three times weekly via telephone or video conference. The bill modifies Tennessee's child custody and support statutes to guarantee this expanded communication right when technology is available to both parties.

Why is this important

Remote communication rights are a foundational aspect of custody arrangements that directly affect parent-child relationships and can influence child support enforcement and custody compliance. This change could impact thousands of Tennessee families by establishing a higher baseline expectation for parental access, though implementation depends on individual custody orders and judges' discretion in specific cases.

Potential points of contention

  • One-size-fits-all approach: A fixed three-times-weekly minimum may not suit all family situations—some high-conflict cases might benefit from lower frequency, while others might warrant more contact; judges typically tailor contact schedules to individual circumstances
  • Technology access assumptions: The bill assumes both parent and child have equal access to reliable technology, which may not reflect economic disparities or situations where devices/internet are controlled by one party
  • Enforcement mechanisms unclear: The bill doesn't specify how violations would be enforced or what remedies exist if a custodial parent blocks the calls, potentially creating new disputes and court involvement
  • Cost and accessibility: More frequent video calls may be burdensome for parents with limited phone plans, work schedules, or those with multiple children across different custody arrangements

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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