§ 37-2-416 — Notice of hearing to foster parent, adoptive parent or relative providing care

(a) The department shall notify the foster parents, if any, or any prospective adoptive parent or relative providing care for the child in state custody with notice of any review or hearing to be held with respect to the child. The foster parents, if any, of such a child and any prospective adoptive parent or relative providing care for the child shall be provided with notice of the right to be heard in any review or hearing to be held with respect to the child, except that this section shall not be construed to require that any foster parent, prospective adoptive parent, or relative providing care for the child who has served as the physical placement for the child for a period of fewer than nine (9) continuous months be made a party to such a review or hearing solely on the basis of such notice and right to be heard. (b) Any foster parent who has served as the physical placement for the child for a period of nine (9) or more continuous months shall be permitted to appear for the sole purpose of presenting evidence with regard to the best interests of the child. (c) At each hearing, the court shall determine whether the department has complied with this section.

Legislative History

Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 263, s 13, eff. 7/1/2023. Acts 1998, ch. 1097, § 22; 2007 , ch. 372, § 11; 2008 , ch. 906, § 3.