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 impose restitution. The restitution amounts are set at a minimum of $250 for misdemeanors and $500 for felonies, with a maximum limit of $1,000.

Additionally, if the court determines that the parent, legal custodian, or guardian is indigent and waives the restitution, they must instead perform community service work. This bill aims to hold guardians accountable for the actions of delinquent children while providing a structured approach to restitution and community service. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

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