Sen. Ferrell Haile

Maddy summarySB 252 adjusts Tennessee's maximum compensation for crime victims under the Criminal Injuries Compensation Act to 105% of the national average compensation offered by all 50 states, D.C., and U.S. Virgin Islands. It requires the state treasurer to review and adjust this maximum amount every three years (starting January 2026), comparing it to the national average and rounding up to the nearest $100 if needed. The adjusted amount must be published on the Treasury website by March 1 each comparison year, effective for claims filed on or after July 1. This directly affects crime victims in Tennessee who file claims for compensation after the effective date.

Maddy summarySB 1005 simplifies adoption paperwork for families adopting multiple siblings who share at least one biological parent. It allows petitioners to file a single adoption petition for all children instead of separate ones, unless a court issues a written order requiring separate filings for the children's best interests. The bill also requires courts to charge only one filing fee for such combined petitions, reducing administrative costs for adoptive families. This change applies to Tennessee adoption proceedings under Titles 18, 36, and 37 of state code.

Maddy summarySB 1052 clarifies that a biological father who provides minimal financial support (such as infrequent or short-term payments) during pregnancy or while the mother had physical custody is not considered a legal father for adoption purposes, removing his right to contest an adoption. It also updates adoption procedures to allow declarations under Tennessee Rules of Civil Procedure instead of affidavits and requires healthcare providers to obtain documented parental or guardian consent before vaccinating minors. The bill directly affects biological fathers in adoption cases, adoption courts, and healthcare providers treating children. These changes took effect on May 5, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1015 amends Tennessee law to update training requirements for foster care staff. It removes the 2010 deadline for training existing employees and requires all new foster care staff to complete training within 30 days of hire. The bill affects child welfare agencies and their employees working with foster children under the Department of Children's Services or contracted agencies. This change streamlines compliance with state training standards without altering foster children's rights or creating new policies for them. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.

Maddy summarySB 1116 requires adoption courts, health departments, and child-placing agencies to share adoption or attempted adoption records with Tennessee's Department of Children's Services within 60 days (up from 45 days) to help locate relatives for kinship foster care placements. This affects agencies handling adoption records and the Department of Children's Services, which uses the information to identify family members for foster care. The bill amends Tennessee Code Sections 68-3-312(g) and related provisions to extend the deadline for providing these records. It became effective May 5, 2025, after being signed by the governor.

Maddy summarySB 1114 amends Tennessee's public records law to permanently remove an automatic repeal scheduled for July 1, 2025, regarding a provision allowing government record custodians to seek court injunctions against individuals making public records requests with the intent to disrupt government operations. This change directly affects government officials responsible for handling public records, ensuring they retain the legal tool to address disruptive requesters. The bill deletes a specific subdivision (TCA 10-7-503(a)(7)(C)(vi)) that would have expired, making the injunction provision permanent. The law took effect on May 5, 2025, after being signed by the Governor.

Maddy summarySB 1237 requires licensed bail bondsmen in Tennessee to submit quarterly reports to the Department of Revenue detailing the number and total value of bonds issued in each county they operate. Court clerks who admit defendants to bail must also file quarterly reports on bonds accepted from bondsmen, including total counts and values. These reports will enable the Department of Revenue to conduct audits of the bail bonding tax. The law takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to all bail bonds executed on or after that date.

Maddy summarySB 129 increases the Tennessee Housing Development Agency's (THDA) maximum bond limit from $4 billion to $6 billion. This change allows THDA to issue more bonds to fund below-market interest rate loans for low- and moderate-income Tennesseans. The bill directly affects THDA's ability to provide housing assistance programs, addressing rising demand since 2008. It amends Tennessee Code Annotated Section 13-23-121(a) to update the financial cap.

Maddy summarySB 895 requires Tennessee courts to annually report on court cases involving alleged violations of parental consent laws for minor treatment. Specifically, it mandates that the administrative office of the courts submit a January 15 report to the governor and legislative leaders detailing: (1) the number of cases where parental consent violations were claimed, (2) whether the claim or defense succeeded, and (3) any entities found in violation. This bill directly affects state courts and court administrators by adding a new data collection requirement. It does not change existing parental consent rules but creates a tracking mechanism for enforcement. The bill passed in 2025 and became law as Public Chapter 347.

Maddy summarySB 41 prohibits service providers (like phone, cable, internet, or broadband companies) from charging customers for an extra billing cycle if they cancel service within the first half of their billing period. If a customer cancels during the first half of the cycle, providers can only bill for the remaining days of that current cycle - not future cycles. Violations of this rule are treated as unfair or deceptive practices under Tennessee’s Consumer Protection Act, subject to penalties and remedies. The law applies to all covered services and takes effect July 1, 2025.