Tennessee House Bill HB2595

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/3/26
• Refer: 2/5/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36, Chapter 6, Part 5, relative to parent visitation.

Summary

HB2595 creates a new section of Tennessee law allowing courts to award additional parenting time when a parent was previously denied visitation because of abuse or neglect allegations that were later not substantiated. In general, a court may order make-up parenting time after a denial of visitation, and if a parent proves the other parent intentionally made or participated in false allegations of abuse, the court must order additional time to compensate for the lost parenting time. The bill is aimed at restoring the parenting time that was missed during a DCS investigation, other agency investigation, or a protective or restraining order process that did not end in a finding of abuse or neglect. The additional parenting time must match the type and duration of the time that was denied and may include weekends, holidays, or summer time. It must be scheduled within two years of the denial and cannot interfere with the child’s school attendance or regular activities. The parent who lost time may request the dates for the make-up parenting time, so long as the request is consistent with the type of time that was originally denied. The bill also limits liability by stating that it does not create a cause of action against the Department of Children’s Services or any other agency and does not waive sovereign immunity. It takes effect July 1, 2026, and applies only to visitation orders denied on or after that date. Because there were no committee transcripts or recorded votes provided, the overall sentiment cannot be measured from debate or roll call history. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears to be framed as a fairness and parental-rights bill, but it also implicates child-protection investigations and court-ordered restrictions on visitation, which are the most likely areas of concern.

Impact

HB2595 would amend Title 36, Chapter 6, Part 5 of the Tennessee Code by adding a new remedy in custody and visitation cases: court-ordered additional parenting time after a denial of visitation tied to abuse or neglect allegations that were not substantiated. It gives courts explicit authority to compensate a parent for lost time and makes that remedy mandatory when the other parent intentionally made or participated in false allegations. The bill also preserves governmental immunity and avoids creating a new lawsuit against DCS or other agencies, while applying prospectively to denials occurring on or after July 1, 2026.

Sentiment

No committee discussion or vote history was provided, so there is no recorded legislative debate to gauge. On its face, the bill is likely to draw support from those concerned about false allegations and parental access, while also prompting caution from child welfare advocates and family-law stakeholders because it intersects with abuse investigations and protective orders. The text suggests a generally pro-parenting-time posture, but the absence of recorded testimony means the actual sentiment in committee cannot be determined from the materials provided.

Contention

The main point of contention is the balance between protecting parents from false abuse allegations and preserving the ability of courts and child-protection agencies to act quickly when abuse is suspected. Supporters would likely emphasize compensation for parents who lost visitation due to unproven allegations, while opponents may worry that the bill could discourage legitimate reports of abuse or complicate protective proceedings. Another possible issue is the mandatory nature of the remedy when intentional false allegations are shown, as well as the practical difficulty of proving intent and scheduling make-up parenting time without disrupting the child’s routine.