Tennessee Senate Bill SB1331

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/6/25

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 8; Title 33; Title 34; Title 36; Title 37; Title 41; Title 49; Title 68 and Title 71, relative to children.

Summary

SB1331 makes a narrow, technical change to Tennessee law governing a required annual report under Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-5-712. The bill replaces the specific date language “on January 31, 1998, and annually thereafter” with the more general phrase “on or before January 31 of each year.” This updates the statute so the reporting deadline is expressed in a current, ongoing form rather than tied to an obsolete starting year. Because the bill only revises deadline language, it does not appear to create a new program, expand eligibility, or change substantive rights or duties. Instead, it clarifies the timing requirement for the affected annual filing or report and aligns the statute with present-day administration.

Impact

The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated section 36-5-712, which is within the family law/title 36 portion of the code, by modernizing the annual deadline language for a report or filing related to children. The practical effect is limited to the administration of that existing requirement; it does not alter the underlying obligation, but it removes outdated reference language and makes the deadline easier to apply going forward.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests the bill was generally well received, as the Senate Judiciary Committee recommended passage with amendments by a 7-1 vote. There is no committee transcript available showing detailed debate, and the bill’s narrow, technical nature suggests limited controversy overall. The lone dissent indicates at least one member had reservations, but the record provided does not identify the specific concern.

Contention

The main point of contention appears to be minimal and likely procedural rather than substantive, given the bill’s limited scope. The only recorded opposition was one nay vote in committee, but no transcript is available to show whether the concern related to the amendment process, the underlying reporting requirement, or the need for the statutory change. No other significant disputes are evident from the materials provided.