House Bill 492 amends Tennessee child custody laws by updating specific provisions related to the factors considered by the court in custody decisions. The bill deletes subdivisions (a)(15) and (16) from Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 36-6-106(a) and substitutes them with new language that includes the failure to pay court-ordered child support as a relevant factor and allows for any other factors deemed relevant by the court. Additionally, it modifies Section 36-6-106(g) to reflect this change by updating the reference from subdivisions (a)(1) to (a)(16).

Furthermore, the bill revises Section 36-6-406(d)(1) by deleting the existing subdivision and substituting it with a new provision that emphasizes a parent's neglect or substantial nonperformance of parenting responsibilities, specifically highlighting the failure to pay court-ordered child support. This legislation aims to clarify and strengthen the criteria used by courts when determining child custody arrangements, ensuring that financial responsibilities are taken into account. The act will take effect upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-6-106(a), 36-6-106, 36-6-106(g), 36-6-406(d)(1), 36-6-406