Tennessee Senate Bill SB2165

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 2/2/26
• Engrossed: 3/16/26
• Enrolled: 4/8/26
• Passed: 4/23/26
• Chaptered: 5/5/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 36-1-113 and Section 37-2-415, relative to foster parents.

Summary

SB2165 amends Tennessee law governing foster care and termination-of-parental-rights proceedings. The bill requires the Department of Children’s Services, when a child is in the department’s legal custody or guardianship, to provide the foster parent with a copy of any termination petition if that foster parent has provided the child’s physical placement for at least nine consecutive months. The notice must be provided within seven days, either after the department files the petition or after the department is served when another party files it. The bill also strengthens the information-sharing obligations of the department toward foster parents. It requires the department to provide timely information about the child’s background and health history, and to continue providing additional relevant information on an ongoing basis. At the same time, it directs foster parents to keep confidential any confidential information they receive, including a termination petition copy, except when disclosure is necessary to protect the child’s health and welfare. The act takes effect July 1, 2026.

Impact

This bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated sections 36-1-113 and 37-2-415, expanding notice and disclosure requirements in child welfare cases involving foster parents. It affects the Department of Children’s Services, foster parents, and children in state custody or guardianship by formalizing when foster parents must be informed of termination-of-parental-rights proceedings and what child-related information must be shared with them. It also imposes a confidentiality duty on foster parents for sensitive records received under the statute.

Sentiment

The available voting history suggests broad support for the bill. It advanced out of the Senate Judiciary Committee by a 7-1 vote, passed a floor vote 27-4 on third consideration, and then passed on regular calendar passage by a 76-16 vote. No committee transcript is available, but the margins indicate the measure was generally viewed favorably, with only a minority of opposition.

Contention

The likely point of contention is the balance between increasing foster parent participation and preserving confidentiality in child welfare and parental-rights proceedings. Supporters appear to favor giving long-term foster parents earlier notice and more complete information so they can better care for the child and stay informed about major legal developments. Opponents may have concerns about privacy, the handling of sensitive family information, or the broader implications of sharing termination petitions with foster parents, even with confidentiality restrictions. The vote totals show some resistance, but not enough to prevent passage.