§ 36-6-112 — Parent alleging abuse

(a) This section shall be known and may be cited as the "Protective Parent Reform Act." (b) If a parent makes a good faith allegation based on a reasonable belief supported by facts that the child is the victim of child abuse, child neglect, or the effects of domestic violence, and if that parent acts lawfully and in good faith in response to that reasonable belief to protect the child or seek treatment for the child, then that parent shall not be deprived of custody, visitation, or contact with the child, or restricted in custody, visitation, or contact, based solely on that belief or the reasonable actions taken based on that belief. (c) (1) If an allegation that a child is abused is supported by a preponderance of the evidence, then the court shall consider such evidence of abuse in determining the visitation arrangement that is in the best interest of the child, and the court shall not place a child in the custody of a parent who presents a substantial risk of harm to that child. (2) A parent is presumed to present a substantial risk of harm to the child if the parent is under indictment for the offense of aggravated child abuse under § 39-15-402 , child sexual abuse under § 37-1-602 , or severe child sexual abuse under § 36-1-113(g)(11) . The parent shall remain a risk of harm during the pendency of the indictment; provided, however, that the court may grant the parent supervised visitation with the child.

Legislative History

Amended by 2015 Tenn. Acts, ch. 238,s 1, eff. 7/1/2015. Acts 2004, ch. 781, § 1; 2006, ch. 694, § 1.