House Bill 38 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 37-1-131(b)(1)(B), to establish new guidelines for restitution orders against parents, legal custodians, or guardians of children found delinquent for multiple acts. Specifically, if a child is found delinquent for a second act, the court may order restitution for law enforcement expenses incurred during the investigation. For a third or subsequent delinquent act, the court is required to issue a restitution order. The bill sets minimum restitution amounts of $250 for misdemeanors and $500 for felonies, with a maximum limit of $1,000.

Additionally, if the court determines that the child's parent, legal custodian, or guardian is indigent and waives the restitution, the court must instead require them to perform community service in lieu of payment. This legislation is set to take effect on July 1, 2025, emphasizing the importance of accountability for delinquent acts while considering the financial circumstances of the guardians involved.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 37-1-131(b)(1)(B), 37-1-131