House Bill 492, also known as Senate Bill 540, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to child custody. The bill modifies Section 36-6-106(a) by replacing subdivisions (a)(15) and (16) to include considerations such as a parent's failure to pay court-ordered child support and any other factors the court finds relevant. Additionally, it updates Section 36-6-106(g) to reflect these changes by adjusting the referenced subdivisions. Furthermore, Section 36-6-406(d)(1) is revised to emphasize a parent's neglect or substantial nonperformance of parenting responsibilities, specifically highlighting the failure to pay child support.

The bill also introduces a new provision in Section 36-6-306, allowing courts to award reasonable attorney's fees and other litigation expenses to either party involved in grandparent visitation actions. This addition aims to provide financial relief in legal proceedings concerning grandparent visitation rights. The act is set to take effect upon becoming law, emphasizing the public welfare.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-6-106(a), 36-6-106, 36-6-106(g), 36-6-406(d)(1), 36-6-406
Amended with SA0017 -- 03/06/2025: 36-6-106(a), 36-6-106, 36-6-106(g), 36-6-406(d)(1), 36-6-406, 36-6-306