Several bills regarding children and youth are scheduled to be considered by legislative committees next week. SB1868/HB2526 would allow the Department of Children’s Services to place some foster children who have threatened or exhibited violent behavior in jail-like facilities that usually are reserved for children who have committed crimes. WPLN has more on that bill. HB1165/SB0045 is being revived from last year and according to ABC24, aims to increase penalties for adults who recruit or coerce minors into committing crimes, a practice lawmakers and community leaders said is happening across the state. Another bill being revived from last year is HB0793/SB0836, which now would require public schools to report the number of undocumented students enrolled. The Tennessean covers developments in that bill, including what has changed from 2025. Last year, the bill would have given school districts the option of denying enrollment or charging families for immigrant children who could not prove legal status.

The Legislative Updates podcast is new this week with attorneys and TBA lobbyists Berkley Schwarz of Pier Strategies LLC and Ashley Harbin of Adams & Reese. This week they discuss the extrajudicial adoptions bill HB1263/SB1238; real estate bills HB569/SB394, HB1970/SB1985 and HB1762/SB170; TBA's adoption bill SB2165/HB235; probate bill SB2184/HB2451; and family law bill SB2324/HB2429. Tune in on the TBA website or here. Attorneys can support TBA’s lobbying efforts by contributing to LAWPAC.

U.S. Republican Sen. Marsha Blackburn,  and state Sen. Brent Taylor, R-Memphis, have released a letter on social media asking Shelby County District Attorney General Steve Mulroy for more information about a recent report from a local court-watch group. According to The Daily Memphian, Memphis Crime Beat alleged that three out of four felony cases prosecuted by the District Attorney General’s Office in December ended without prison time. The group analyzed 514 felony cases resolved in Shelby County Criminal Court that month, reporting that 144 were dismissed and 370 resulted in some type of sentence. In their letter, Blackburn and Taylor asked how many cases involved arrests by the Memphis Safe Task Force and why relatively few defendants received prison time. They asked Mulroy to respond by March 6. Mulroy said many of the cases involved nonviolent offenses or defendants without significant criminal histories and noted that some sentencing decisions were made by judges without his office’s agreement.

Gov. Bill Lee is proposing a statewide fund to help fill gaps left by cuts to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). On Thursday, the Tennessee Senate approved $100 million for the “Governor’s Response and Recovery Fund,” along with ongoing funding to establish a four-person staff. According to Chattanooga Times Free Press, the fund would assist smaller communities that have difficulty qualifying for federal disaster declarations. The Senate approved SB2232 by a vote of 29-1. Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, said the state is right to plan ahead but cautioned that $100 million, though significant in a tightening budget, could be quickly depleted if FEMA reduces funding. Sen. Ken Yager, R-Kingston, a sponsor of the bill, said the revamped fund would provide a pathway for local governments and individuals to seek state assistance when federal aid is unavailable or insufficient.

TBA’s Legislative Updates podcast is new this week with attorneys and TBA lobbyists Berkley Schwarz of Pier Strategies LLC and Brad Lampley and Ashley Harbin of Adams & Reese. This week's episode covers adoption bill SB2165/HB2350, probate bill SB2184/HB2451 and family law bill SB2324/HB2429. Tune in to the podcast on the TBA website or through this link. Attorneys may also support the TBA’s lobbying efforts by contributing to LAWPAC.

The Tennessee Senate passed SB1731 — sponsored by Sen. John Stevens, R-Huntingdon — on Feb. 23 by a vote of 26-6. The House Judiciary Committee is set to consider its version of the bill — HB1791 sponsored by Rep. Jason Zachary, R-Knoxville — on March 4. The legislation would authorize the attorney general to make immediate appeals of initial trial court rulings in certain cases brought against the state. These include rulings (1) granting, continuing or modifying injunctions against the state; (2) denying sovereign or qualified immunity for state officials; and (3) denying motions to dismiss in cases challenging the constitutionality of state laws, executive orders or administrative rules. Normally, the state would have to wait for a final judgment from the trial court before appealing. Supporters of the bills argue that waiting for a final judgment can drag cases out for years. Opponents warn it gives the state an unfair advantage. The Nashville Post has more on the bill.

Lt. Gov. Randy McNally announced on the floor of the state Senate that he would not seek reelection later this year, ending a nearly five-decade career in the legislature. According to the Nashville Banner, the Oak Ridge Republican was first elected to the House in 1978 and to the Senate in 1986. He succeeded Senate Speaker Ron Ramsey in the top job in 2017. McNally, who is 82 years old, cited health considerations for his decision.

The Tennessee Attorney General's (AG) Office plans to settle a lawsuit from the American Civil Liberties Union-Tennessee (ACLU), which challenged a state law penalizing local officials who support sanctuary city policies. According to WPLN, the state concedes it cannot support the law’s constitutionality, saying it “infringes[s] on principles of legislative immunity and independence.” It thus has agreed not to enforce the law. Last year, the AG's office said it was open to a settlement. In a recent statement to the news outlet, AG Jonathan Skrmetti said: “Sanctuary policies remain illegal in Tennessee, but city and county officials cannot be imprisoned for voting for such policies. As a result, we agreed that dismissal of this case was the appropriate outcome.” According to Tennessee Lookout, the settlement must be approved by the courts before it takes effect. Read more from the ACLU.

Rep. Aftyn Behn, D-Nashville, is calling for a federal investigation into the Tennessee Department of Children's Services (DCS). According to The Tennessean, the move comes "after months of independent research, review of federal oversight records, and conversations with impacted families and whistleblowers." In a news release, Behn called for the U.S. Department of Justice's Civil Rights Division to investigate, saying DCS failed to comply with key federal requirements and create stability for children in its custody. Behn also alleges issues of segregation that affect children with disabilities. The agency has faced scrutiny after records showed hundreds of children slept in DCS offices in 2024 and 2025. A recent audit found persistent safety and oversight gaps. A DCS spokesperson did not immediately respond to a request for comment. DCS Commissioner Margie Quin is scheduled to appear before a House committee this week.

The TBA’s 4th Annual Day on the Hill and the Big Shrimp legislative reception will take place March 18 in Nashville. The day will begin at 10:30 a.m. CDT at the Cordell Hull Building with presentations from TBA’s lobbying team and members of the General Assembly. Attendees then will meet with various legislators throughout the day, focusing on building relationships, championing TBA’s legislative priorities and advocating for elimination of the professional privilege tax. After the day’s meetings, attendees are invited to join colleagues, lawmakers and legislative staff at Hotel Indigo Nashville from 5-7 p.m. for the perennial favorite Big Shrimp legislative reception. The hotel is located at 315 Union St., Nashville 37201. Register here or email govaffairs@tnbar.org with questions.