The People's Ledger
← All Tennessee bills

SB1238Introduced in the Senate

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

Passed

Introduced by John Stevens, District 24

What does this bill do?

Plain-English breakdown

Writing a plain-English summary of this bill… this can take a few seconds the first time.

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

Comp. became Pub. Ch. 936

May 15, 2026

How did lawmakers vote?

SenateStage: SENATE HEALTH AND WELFARE COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee · April 1, 2026

8

Yes

0

No

1

Absent or Not Voting

9 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
Rusty Crowe3Yes
Robert Harshbarger4Yes
Becky Massey6Yes
Bo Watson11Yes
Shane Reeves14Yes
Ferrell Haile18Yes
Jeff Yarbro21Not Voting
Edward Jackson25Yes
Joseph Hensley28Yes

Bill history

  1. Filed for introduction

  2. Sponsor change.

  3. Sponsor(s) Added.

  4. Introduced, Passed on First Consideration

  5. Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  6. Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/26/2025

  7. Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  8. Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026

  9. Action deferred in Senate Health and Welfare Committee to 3/18/2026

  10. Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/18/2026

  11. Reset on Final calendar of Senate Health and Welfare Committee

  12. Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 4/1/2026

  13. Recommended for passage, refer to Senate Calendar Committee

  14. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/14/2026

  15. Senate Reset on calendar for 4/20/2026

  16. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026

  17. Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/20/2026

  18. Sponsor(s) Added.

  19. Companion House Bill substituted

  20. Sponsor(s) Added.

  21. Comp. became Pub. Ch. 936

Verify the information

Our commitment to neutrality

We provide factual information only. We never tell you which politicians or bills to support, and we do not rank, score, or endorse anyone.