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HB 347

Children - As enacted, clarifies that the economic disadvantage of a parent or guardian alone is not a ground for termination of parental rights; clarifies that, for purposes of laws relative to juvenile courts and proceedings, "neglect" does not exist solely on the basis of economic disadvantage. - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 37 and Title 39.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Chris Hurt

Tennessee law now prohibits terminating parental rights or finding child neglect based solely on a parent's economic disadvantage, protecting low-income families from poverty-based separation.

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 322
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Bill Summary · HB 347

Legislative bill overview

HB 347 clarifies Tennessee law to explicitly state that a parent or guardian's economic disadvantage alone cannot be grounds for terminating parental rights or finding a child neglected in juvenile court proceedings. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee's family and juvenile law codes to prevent poverty from being used as a basis for state intervention in parent-child relationships.

Why is this important

Child welfare agencies sometimes face pressure or implicit bias that can lead to family separations based on economic hardship rather than actual abuse or neglect. This bill protects low-income families by creating a legal barrier against poverty-based removal, while still allowing intervention when genuine abuse or neglect occurs. The distinction is critical because economic disadvantage (inability to afford housing, food, or healthcare) differs from actual child neglect (failure to provide basic necessities when able to do so).

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation ambiguity: The bill prevents economic disadvantage "alone" from being grounds for termination, but determining where legitimate neglect ends and poverty-driven hardship begins may remain challenging for caseworkers and courts in practice
  • Child safety concerns: Some child welfare advocates worry the language could inadvertently shield genuinely dangerous situations if caseworkers become overly cautious about appearing economically biased
  • Resource availability: The bill doesn't mandate additional support services, so families identified as at-risk may still lack access to assistance programs that could prevent future involvement

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

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