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HB 1734

Children's Services, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the department to record, by audio recording or video recording, all interviews of children conducted by department employees as part of the department's investigation of claims of abuse or dependency and neglect. - Amends TCA Title 10, Chapter 7, Part 5; Title 24; Title 37 and Title 38.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Debra Moody

Requires Tennessee child welfare investigators to audio or video record all child interviews during abuse and neglect investigations.

Action def. in Judiciary Committee to 3/25/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 1734

Legislative bill overview

HB 1734 mandates that Tennessee's Department of Children's Services record all interviews with children during abuse, neglect, and dependency investigations using audio or video recording. The bill amends multiple sections of Tennessee law to establish this recording requirement as standard procedure across the agency's investigative processes.

Why is this important

Recording child interviews creates objective evidence that can improve investigation accuracy, protect children from suggestive questioning, and provide documentation useful in legal proceedings. This directly affects how abuse and neglect cases are documented and potentially prosecuted, influencing outcomes for vulnerable children and families involved in the child welfare system.

Potential points of contention

  • Privacy and trauma concerns: Repeated recording of interviews with traumatized children may cause additional distress or raise concerns about informed consent and parental notification in sensitive investigations
  • Resource and implementation costs: Agencies must invest in recording equipment, secure storage systems, training staff, and managing digital records, potentially straining already-stretched child welfare budgets
  • Legal discovery complications: Recorded interviews become discoverable evidence in court proceedings, potentially creating litigation burdens and requiring careful handling of sensitive child testimony
  • Consistency and training: Ensuring uniform recording quality and proper technique across all department employees requires significant standardization and ongoing oversight

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

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