Courts - As enacted, enacts the "Parental Rights Protection Act." - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 8 and Title 40, Chapter 11. Companion bill has been assigned Public Chapter Number 732 by the Secretary of State, the official text

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      State f [ Jenm!<Ssee

                             PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 732

                                                   SENATE BILL NO. 2365

                                                              By Rose

                                            Substituted for: House Bill No. 2078

                                          By Farmer, Behn, Hardaway, Doggett

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36, Chapter 8 and Title 40, Chapter 11, relative
          to expedited hearing procedures.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. This act is known and may be cited as the "Parental Rights- Protection Act."

          SECTION 2. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 36-8-103, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection (h):

                    (h)(1) A bond condition that affects parental contact, custody, or visitation requires an
                    expedited hearing within fifteen (15) calendar days of being imposed to determine if
                    the condition meets the requirements of this chapter. If the hearing is not held within
                    fifteen (15) calendar days, then the bond condition is void.

                              (2) Before a court may impose or extend a bond condition prior to conviction in
                    a criminal case that restricts, limits, or prohibits a defendant's parental contact with,
                    custody of, or visitation with any minor child who is not a victim of the charged crime,
                    the government bears the burden of establishing, by clear and convincing evidence,
                    which the court must articulate through specific findings of fact, that:

                                        (A) A threat of harm exists to the child;

                                        (8) Less restrictive alternatives are insufficient to prevent the harm;
                              and

                                        (C) The restriction is in the best interests of the child.

                              (3) For purposes of this subsection (h), there is a presumption that parental
                    contact with a child is in the best interests of the child.

          SECTION 3. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
         SENATE BILL NO. 2365

PASSED:  April 2, 2026

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                        '                     RANDY M~~lly
                                  SPEAKER OF THE SE--: TE

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                        CAMERONSEXTON,SPEAKER
                        HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

April APPROVED this u,Y., day of              2026

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                          BILL LEE, GOVERNOR