Tennessee House Bill HB1844

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/21/26
• Refer: 2/2/26
• Refer: 2/11/26
• Refer: 2/17/26
• Refer: 4/15/26
• Refer: 4/17/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 36, Chapter 1, Part 1 and Title 68, Chapter 11, Part 2, relative to voluntary surrendering of an infant.

Impact

By enacting this bill, the state of Tennessee is addressing the critical issue of infant abandonment and providing a legal framework for the safe surrender of infants. The revisions to the law are designed to ensure that designated surrender locations, such as fire departments or hospitals, meet certain operational standards. By having staff scheduled 24/7, the bill promotes a more reliable and responsive environment for infants who may need to be surrendered safely and anonymously, potentially saving lives and supporting vulnerable parents.

Summary

House Bill 1844 seeks to amend existing Tennessee laws regarding the voluntary surrender of infants. The bill aims to modify several sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically in Titles 36 and 68. Key provisions include the addition of language specifying that acceptable locations for surrendering an infant include ambulance stations that have staff available 24 hours a day. This change is intended to broaden the scope of safe surrender locations to enhance the welfare of infants and provide more options for parents in crisis situations.

Contention

Notably, discussions surrounding HB1844 could focus on the adequacy of existing facilities and whether the inclusion of additional locations like ambulance stations is sufficient or necessary. Some stakeholders may express concerns about the practical implementation of the law, particularly regarding how these facilities can meet the requirements stipulated by the bill. Furthermore, there could be contention regarding the balance between expanding surrender options and ensuring that these locations maintain the highest safety and care standards for the infants involved.