Courts, Juvenile - As enacted, generally requires a guardian ad litem appointed by the court to complete training appropriate to that role, including training in early childhood, child, and adolescent development. - Amen, the official text

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Staie f/Jennessee

                             PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 810

                                                    SENATE BILL NO. 2355

                                                             By Massey

                                            Substituted for: House Bill No. 2154

                                          By Raper, Alexander, Todd, Hardaway

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 16; Title 20; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36 and Title
          37, relative to guardians ad litem.

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

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 36-4-132, is amended by adding the
following as a new subsection:

                    (d)(1) A guardian ad litem appointed by the court must complete training appropriate
                    to that role. The training must include, but is not limited to, training in early childhood,
                    child, and adolescent development provided by a qualified professional.

                              (2) Notwithstanding subdivision (d)(1), a court may appoint a person as a
                    guardian ad litem who has not yet completed the training required by this subsection
                    (d); provided, that the person must complete the required training within three (3)
                    years following the date of the person's initial appointment as a guardian ad litem.

          SECTION 2. A person serving as a guardian ad litem appointed pursuant to Tennessee
Code Annotated, Section 36-4-132, prior to July 1, 2026, may continue to be appointed and serve as
a guardian ad litem notwithstanding the training requirements of this act; provided, that the person
must complete the required training before July 1, 2029.

          SECTION 3. This act takes effect July 1, 2026, the public welfare requiring it.
         SENATE BILL NO. 2355

PASSED:  April 8, 2026

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                                  SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

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                            CAMERON SEXTON, SPEAKER
                           HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

APPROVED this j:3ld day of /\r>v:,"\       2026

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                       BILL LEE, GOVERNOR