Senate Bill 262 amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated concerning the voluntary surrender of infants. The bill primarily changes the time frame for which a parent can voluntarily surrender an infant without facing legal repercussions. Specifically, it replaces the previous time limit of "fourteen (14)" days with a new limit of "forty-five (45)" days in multiple sections, including Sections 36-1-102(1)(A)(v), 36-1-142(a), and 68-11-255(a)(4) and (6). Additionally, it modifies the reference to a "fourteen-day period" in Section 68-11-255(b)(1)(A) to a "forty-five-day period."

The bill aims to provide parents with a longer period to make the decision to surrender their infant voluntarily, thereby potentially reducing the number of infants abandoned and ensuring that parents have adequate time to consider their options. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law, emphasizing the importance of public welfare in its implementation.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-1-102(1)(A)(v), 36-1-102, 36-1-142(a), 36-1-142, 68-11-255(a)(4), 68-11-255, 68-11-255(a)(6), 68-11-255(b)(1)(A)