Senate Bill 2119, the "Parental Rights Protection Act," seeks to strengthen the legal framework surrounding parental rights and family integrity in Tennessee. The bill asserts that parental rights are fundamental liberties that require the highest procedural safeguards against infringement. It mandates that any state actions aimed at separating a child from a parent must undergo rigorous judicial scrutiny, with the state bearing the burden of proof in such cases. The bill also establishes that termination of parental rights must follow a lawful adjudication process, ensuring timely notice, representation by counsel, and a meaningful evidentiary hearing.

Additionally, the bill introduces specific definitions and procedural requirements for terms related to parental rights, such as "emergency removal" and "adjudication." It prohibits generalized allegations and speculative harm as grounds for emergency removals, requiring detailed written findings from the court to justify such actions. The bill emphasizes transparency regarding federal funding incentives and mandates that courts have no financial interest in the outcomes of proceedings affecting parental rights. It also ensures that parental rights cannot be impacted based on poverty or noncompliance with services, with any violations rendering orders voidable, thereby protecting parents' rights under this act.