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 certain acts. The bill stipulates that 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 minimum restitution amounts are set at $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 work. This legislation aims to hold guardians financially accountable for the actions of delinquent minors while also providing an alternative to monetary restitution for those who cannot afford it. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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