AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36 and Title 68, relative to records.
Summary
HB1356 amends Tennessee law governing access to certain records used by the Department of Children’s Services (DCS). Specifically, it adds DCS to the list of entities that may search those records for the purpose of locating a kinship foster care placement. In practical terms, the bill is aimed at helping the state identify relatives or other family-connected caregivers more quickly when a child needs foster placement.
The bill is narrow in scope and does not create a new foster care program or broadly change recordkeeping rules. Instead, it creates an additional authorized use of existing records under Title 36, allowing DCS to use them in support of kinship placement efforts. The act takes effect immediately upon becoming law.
Impact
The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 36-1-127(c)(1)(A), by adding the Department of Children’s Services as an authorized user of certain records for kinship foster care searches. This expands DCS’s statutory access for a specific child welfare purpose and may affect how records are used in placement decisions, while leaving the underlying records framework largely intact. The measure is intended to support quicker identification of relatives or other suitable family placements for children entering foster care.
Sentiment
The available voting history suggests strong bipartisan support and little opposition. The bill passed the House Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee 6-0 and the House Judiciary Committee 18-0, indicating broad agreement that the change serves child welfare goals. No committee transcripts were provided, but the unanimous votes suggest the bill was viewed favorably and as a practical administrative improvement.
Contention
There is no recorded substantive opposition in the provided materials. Because the bill expands DCS access to records, any potential concern would likely center on privacy, confidentiality, or the scope of agency access; however, no member objections or debated controversies appear in the available history. The lack of dissent and the unanimous committee votes indicate that any such concerns were either minimal or resolved during committee consideration.