SB 2749 Tennessee Senate · 113th Regular Session (2023-2024)

Children - As enacted, enacts the “Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act." - Amends TCA Title 33; Title 36; Title 37; Title 49; Title 63 and Title 68.

This enacted law, known as the Families' Rights and Responsibilities Act, establishes parental rights as a fundamental liberty that government agencies cannot substantially burden without proving a compelling interest and using the least restrictive means. It explicitly reserves to parents the authority to direct their children's upbringing, religious training, healthcare, and education, while also granting them specific rights to access medical and school records and consent to the collection of biometric data or DNA. The legislation further prohibits public employees from coercing children to withhold information from their parents or withholding relevant health information, and it allows parents to seek legal relief and damages if a government entity violates these provisions.
Bill status signed all 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2024
Committee Review
Feb 2024
Senate Passage
May 2024
House Passage
May 2024
Signed into Law
May 2024
Introduced Feb 1, 2024 Signed May 28, 2024
Floor votes · Senate Apr 24, 2024 · House Apr 23, 2024

How they voted

224
Passed
Total votes 26
Apr 24, 2024
D Democratic4
4 Nay
100% Nay
R Republican22
22 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
33
Key actions
15
Committee
4
Amendments
5
May 28, 2024
Signed into law
Signed by Governor.
upper
May 15, 2024
Lower · Passed
Signed by H. Speaker
lower
May 9, 2024
Upper · Passed
Signed by Senate Speaker
upper
Apr 24, 2024
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 26, Nays 5 (Amendment 4 - HA1114)
upper
Apr 24, 2024
Upper · Passed
Concurred, Ayes 25, Nays 5 (Amendment 5 - HA1120)
upper
Apr 23, 2024
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0890)
upper
Apr 23, 2024
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 2 - HA0970)
upper
Apr 23, 2024
Amended
Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 3 - HA1007)
upper
Apr 23, 2024
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 4 - HA1114)
lower
Apr 23, 2024
Lower · Passed
H. adopted am. (Amendment 5 - HA1120)
lower
Apr 23, 2024
Lower · Passed
Passed H., as am., Ayes 61, Nays 30, PNV 4
lower
Mar 28, 2024
Upper · Passed
Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 3 - SA0860)
upper
Mar 28, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 24, Nays 5
upper
Feb 27, 2024
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 6, Nays 2 PNV 0
upper
Feb 21, 2024
Upper · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/27/2024
upper
Feb 20, 2024
Upper · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 2/27/2024
upper
Feb 13, 2024
Upper · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 2/20/2024
upper
Feb 5, 2024
Upper · Passed
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Feb 1, 2024
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
upper
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ferrell Haile
Ferrell Haile
RRepublican
TN
18