TN HB2429

Prevailing parties in juvenile court proceedings involving custody, visitation, relocation, child support, or dependency and neglect cases may recover reasonable attorney's fees, court costs, and litigation expenses from the nonprevailing party, at the court's discretion, excluding awards for or against the department

Courts may temporarily suspend child support obligations when a child is removed from the custodial parent's physical custody during pending dependency and neglect proceedings

Unmarried parents in juvenile court custody or parenting schedule proceedings must attend a mandatory 4-hour parent educational seminar covering co-parenting skills, conflict reduction, adverse childhood experiences, and the judicial process

Courts may waive the seminar requirement for good cause, including domestic violence history or impracticality, and fees must be waived for indigent parents; willful failure to attend may result in contempt charges and be considered in custody determinations

Effective July 1, 2026