Senate Bill 1751, also known as House Bill 1692, amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated related to adoption procedures. The bill allows courts to waive certain requirements for adoption when a child has resided in the home of the prospective adoptive parents for six months, in addition to the existing provision that allows waivers for related persons. Specifically, it modifies Sections 36-1-116 and 36-1-119 to include this new criterion for waiving home studies and waiting periods, thereby streamlining the adoption process for children who have already established a home environment with their prospective adoptive parents.

Additionally, an amendment to the bill introduces a new subdivision that permits courts to waive the home study requirement for non-related prospective adoptive parents if specific conditions are met, including a twelve-month residency of the child in the home and a custody order from a court. The amendment also mandates that a written order must be issued by the court, detailing the findings that support the decision to waive the home study, while emphasizing that the court retains discretion in making this determination. This legislation aims to facilitate the adoption process while ensuring the best interests of the child are prioritized.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 36-1-116(a)(1), 36-1-116, 36-1-116(e)(1), 36-1-119(a), 36-1-119, 36-1-119(c)
Amended with HA0980 -- 04/08/2026: 36-1-116(a)(1), 36-1-116, 36-1-116(e)(1), 36-1-119(a), 36-1-119, 36-1-119(c), 36-1-116(a)