Senate Bill 1868 amends various sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to introduce the concept of a "child in need of heightened supervision." This designation applies to children who exhibit or threaten violent behavior consistent with specific offenses, regardless of their adjudication status, or who are deemed incompetent to be adjudicated delinquent but have shown behavior indicative of violent offenses. The bill also establishes that there is probable cause to believe a child falls into this category, which will affect how they are treated under the law.

Additionally, the bill makes several amendments to existing legal language, including redefining terms related to delinquency and supervision. It expands the criteria for children who may be considered for heightened supervision, modifies the language regarding the handling of delinquent or unruly children, and introduces specific provisions for children who commit assaults against staff members in residential placements. The changes aim to enhance the legal framework surrounding the supervision and treatment of children exhibiting violent behaviors, with the act set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 37-1-102(b), 37-1-102, 37-1-114(c), 37-1-114, 37-1-116(a), 37-1-116, 37-1-116(d), 37-1-116(k)(1), 37-1-130(b), 37-1-130, 37-1-137(b)(1), 37-1-137