CHAPTER NO. 1006
HOUSE BILL NO. 2542
By Representative Kernell
Substituted for: Senate Bill No. 2669
By Senator Ramsey
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36, Chapter 6, relative to child custody and visitation.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:
SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36, Chapter 6, is amended by adding the following as a new, appropriately designated section:
IF a parent or other suitable person is awarded sole or joint custody of a child by a court pursuant to the provisions of this chapter; AND
IF such parent or person is subsequently arrested, confined or otherwise detained by law enforcement officials or a court of competent jurisdiction; AND
IF, as a result of the arrest, confinement or detainment of such parent or person, such child temporarily comes to the care and custody of the Department of Children's Services or any public or private agency, institution or home providing shelter care as defined in § 37-1-102(b)(22); THEN
Prior to the hearing required by § 37-1-114, such department, agency, institution or home must undertake reasonable efforts to provide adequate notice of the time, place and purpose of such hearing to any other parent or person awarded joint custody or visitation rights by the court at the time the custody of the child was initially established.
SECTION 2. This act shall take effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
PASSED: April 29, 1998
APPROVED this 18th day of May 1998