HB 1904 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Children - As enacted, requires certain procedures currently found in the federal Indian Child Welfare Act to be applied by courts in child custody proceedings involving an Indian child. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 37.

HB 1904 requires Tennessee courts to follow specific procedures from the federal Indian Child Welfare Act (ICWA) when handling child custody cases involving Indian children. It directly affects courts, Indian children, their families, and tribal organizations by mandating that courts consider tribal jurisdiction and prioritize placements reflecting Indian cultural values. Key provisions define terms like "Indian child" and "tribal court," and require transferring custody cases to tribal courts when appropriate, unless there's "good cause" to keep them in state court. The bill aims to align Tennessee's child welfare practices with federal standards protecting tribal interests and family stability.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Feb 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Feb 2, 2026 Last action Apr 24, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
17
Key actions
8
Committee
11
Mar 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 3/26/2026
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass; ref to Calendar & Rules Committee
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Rec. for pass. if am., ref. to Government Operations Committee
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Government Operations Committee for 3/23/2026
lower
Mar 11, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on cal. Judiciary Committee for 3/18/2026
lower
Mar 10, 2026
Committee
Rec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Judiciary Committee
lower
Mar 4, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee for 3/10/2026
lower
Mar 3, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee to 3/10/2026
lower
Feb 25, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee for 3/3/2026
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
P2C, ref. to Judiciary Committee - Government Operations for Review
lower
Feb 4, 2026
Committee
Assigned to s/c Children and Family Affairs Subcommittee
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Bryan Terry
Bryan Terry
RRepublican
TN
48