SB 1937 Tennessee Senate · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Children - As enacted, adds the commissioner of mental health and substance abuse services, and one at large member with experience advocating for children, to the Tennessee second look commission; revises certain severe and aggravated child abuse offenses to include offenses involving strangulation; authorizes a court to order a child's custodian to submit certain documentation of compliance with preventative pediatric care consistent with the periodicity schedule of the American Academy of Pediatrics in certain situations; authorizes the department of children's services to initiate a visit to ascertain the wellbeing of a child if such documentation contains allegations of abuse or neglect. - Amends TCA Title 37; Title 38; Title 39 and Title 40.

SB 1937 amends Tennessee laws related to child abuse and child sexual abuse by adding the commissioner of mental health and substance abuse services to the Second Look Commission. It updates how abuse cases are reviewed (replacing "second or subsequent incident" with "case being reviewed") and expands the commission’s access to state agency records needed for its work. The bill also updates definitions to include "strangulation" in abuse and neglect contexts and modifies child protective team responsibilities. These changes directly affect children in abuse cases, child protective teams, and the Second Look Commission’s operations. The bill takes effect in 2026, with most provisions delayed until July 1.
Bill status in committee 1 of 4 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2026
Committee Review
Floor Vote
Governor
Introduced Jan 22, 2026 Last action May 26, 2026
Floor votes

How they voted

No floor votes recorded yet.
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
14
Key actions
6
Committee
7
Mar 25, 2026
Upper · Passed
Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 8, Nays 1 PNV 0
upper
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/25/2026
lower
Mar 24, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/25/2026
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Action deferred in Senate Judiciary Committee to 3/24/2026
lower
Mar 23, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/24/2026
lower
Mar 18, 2026
Lower · Passed
Placed on Senate Judiciary Committee calendar for 3/23/2026
lower
Feb 2, 2026
Committee
Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Judiciary Committee
upper
Jan 22, 2026
Introduced
Introduced, Passed on First Consideration
lower
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Ed Jackson
Ed Jackson
RRepublican
TN
25