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HB1263Introduced in the House

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36; Title 37 and Title 68, relative to children.

Passed

Introduced by William Slater, District 35

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

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Official description

As enacted, provides, in addition to present law, an alternative method for the voluntary surrender of parental rights if executed within the geographic boundaries of the state. - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 37 and Title 68.

Where it stands

Effective date(s) 05/07/2026, 01/01/2027

May 15, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

House votes

3 recorded votes · each counted separately

Senate votes

1 recorded vote · each counted separately

SenateStage: FLOOR VOTE: Third Consideration · April 20, 2026

27

Yes

4

No

2

Absent or Not Voting

33 senators recorded in this Senate vote. Colors show vote categories only, not whether a vote was good or bad.

See how each senator voted

SenatorDistrictVote
Adam Lowe1Yes
Tom Hatcher2Yes
Rusty Crowe3Yes
Robert Harshbarger4Yes
Randy McNally5Yes
Becky Massey6Yes
Richard Briggs7Yes
Jessie Seal8Yes
Steve Southerland9Yes
Todd Gardenhire10Yes

Bill history

  1. Filed for introduction

  2. Intro., P1C.

  3. P2C, caption bill, held on desk - pending amdt.

  4. Ref. to Judiciary Committee

  5. Assigned to s/c Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee

  6. Placed on s/c cal Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee for 3/18/2025

  7. Action Def. in s/c Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee to 3/25/2025

  8. Placed on s/c cal Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee for 3/25/2025

  9. Action Def. in s/c Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee to First Calendar of 2026

  10. Placed on s/c cal Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee for 1/27/2026

  11. Meeting Canceled

  12. Placed on s/c cal Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee for 2/3/2026

  13. Def. to Special Calendar to be Published with Final Calendar in Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee

  14. Placed on s/c cal Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee for 3/10/2026

  15. Action Def. in s/c Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee to 3/17/2026

  16. Placed on s/c cal Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee for 3/17/2026

  17. Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee

  18. Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/23/2026

  19. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

  20. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026

  21. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/2/2026

  22. Sponsor(s) Added.

  23. Re-ref. Judiciary Committee

  24. Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 4/7/2026

  25. Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee

  26. Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/9/2026

  27. H. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/13/2026

  28. Sponsor(s) Added.

  29. Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0868)

  30. H. adopted am. (Amendment 2 - HA1062)

  31. Passed H., as am., Ayes 96, Nays 0, PNV 0

  32. Engrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.

  33. Received from House, Passed on First Consideration

  34. Senate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.

  35. Passed Senate, Ayes 27, Nays 4, PNV 2

  36. Enrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.

  37. Signed by H. Speaker

  38. Signed by Senate Speaker

  39. Transmitted to Governor for his action.

  40. Signed by Governor.

  41. Pub. Ch. 936

  42. Effective date(s) 05/07/2026, 01/01/2027

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