In this case involving termination of a mother’s parental rights to her minor child, the trial court found that three statutory grounds for termination had been proven by clear and convincing evidence. The trial court further found that clear and convincing evidence demonstrated that termination of the mother’s parental rights was in the child’s best interest. The mother has appealed. Discerning no reversible error, we affirm.

In this appeal, the employee claims he is permanently and totally disabled due to a work incident that caused physical and mental injuries. The employer initially authorized medical treatment but later disputed compensability based primarily on the employee’s preexisting physical and mental conditions. Following the trial, the court concluded that the employee had not met his burden of proof in establishing a compensable physical or mental injury. Specifically, the court determined that because the employee failed to meet his burden of proving a compensable physical injury, he also could not prove that he sustained a compensable mental injury pursuant to Tennessee Code Annotated section 50- 6-102(15). The employee has appealed. Upon careful consideration, we conclude the preponderance of the evidence supports a finding that the employee suffered a compensable temporary aggravation of a preexisting condition, and we therefore reverse the trial court’s finding that the employee did not prove a compensable physical injury. We remand the case for the trial court to address whether, in light of our holding with respect to the employee’s physical injuries, he suffered a compensable mental injury and if so, the extent of the employee’s psychiatric impairment and resulting permanent disability, if any.

The latest episode of the TBA Legislative Updates podcast features TBA lobbyists Berkley Schwarz of Pier Strategies LLC and Ashley Harbin of Adams and Reese. They discussed several key bills, including HB1131/SB1331, known as the Equal Parenting Bill; HB492/SB540, the TBA Family Law Bill; and HB1355/SB1052, the TBA Adoption Law Bill. They also cover updates on the upcoming state budget vote. For more on the progress of TBA-supported legislation, visit the TBA website. Tune in to the podcast on the TBA website or through this link.

Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee signed a bill into law on March 25 changing the statute of limitations for voyeurism crimes in the state, WBIR reports. The Voyeurism Victims Act (HB0602) gives survivors more time to press charges against individuals caught illegally observing others in places where they have a reasonable expectation of privacy. The legislation passed the House nearly unanimously, and an amended version passed the Senate. The law, which takes effect July 1, follows the case of a Nashville man charged with eight counts of unlawful photography after allegedly recording sexual partners without their consent. Authorities discovered approximately 25,000 sexually explicit files, but many of the women involved were unable to press charges due to the statute of limitations. State Sen. Jeff Yarbro, D-Nashville, introduced an amendment allowing victims of voyeurism to petition for an order of protection, which was not permitted under previous law.

A bill now heading to the governor’s desk could soon allow Tennessee physicians and insurance companies to deny patients certain medical treatments. HB1044/SB955 would permit doctors, nurses and insurance companies to refuse procedures that conflict with their moral or religious beliefs, according to WPLN News. The legislation, backed by the lobbying group Alliance Defending Freedom, mirrors similar proposals in Colorado, Idaho, Iowa and other states. However, Tennessee’s bill differs in that it does not require patients to be notified if their doctor or insurance provider no longer offers a service. Two Senate amendments clarified that the provisions do not apply when health care professionals perform procedures for individuals in imminent danger of harming themselves or others.

As part of Help4TN Month, Legal Aid Society of Middle Tennessee and the Cumberlands Executive Director DarKenya Waller is highlighting the importance of civil legal aid and the resources available through the Help4TN initiative. The campaign aims to raise awareness about free and low-cost legal services across the state, offering Tennesseans support on issues like housing, family law and consumer rights. Check out the Instagram post where Waller shares more about this vital work at and learn more at Help4TN.org.

A former Tennessee state trooper is suing private prison operator CoreCivic after he was allegedly beaten by a cellmate at Trousdale Turner Correctional Center, The Tennessean reports. Nicholas Collins claims in the lawsuit that he was denied medical attention for more than three days following the attack, which required two surgeries for multiple facial fractures and left him with six metal plates in his head. In 2023, Collins was sentenced to more than six years in prison for aggravated domestic assault and vandalism. He alleges he warned correctional officers that his cellmate had threatened to stab him in his sleep, but no action was taken. A Tennessee Department of Correction report states the day of the assault the two men were “observed engaging in a physical altercation,” resulting in minor injuries to both, and both were charged with fighting. Collins is suing CoreCivic for negligence, seeking $1 million for future medical expenses and suffering, as well as $2 million in punitive damages.

The man charged with attempting to murder U.S. Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022 pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court after previously entering a not guilty plea, Axios reports. Nicholas John Roske admitted to one count of attempting to assassinate a U.S. justice without reaching a plea agreement with federal prosecutors and could face life in prison. His attorneys wrote in a court filing last week that Roske told law enforcement he had traveled to Maryland with the intent to kill Kavanaugh and then himself. U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman scheduled a sentencing hearing for Oct. 3.

A proposal that passed the Tennessee Senate on Monday could add specific language to the state’s law that effectively bans abortion, Local Memphis reports. Sen. Richard Briggs, R-Knoxville, proposed SB1004, which initially required the state to report annually on gifts, grants or donations made toward constructing a monument dedicated to terminated pregnancies. The bill was amended to revise the state’s Human Life Protection Act, which currently allows abortion care only if a physician determines the pregnancy poses a “serious risk of substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.” The amendment would define that phrase as “any medically diagnosed condition that so complicates the pregnancy of a woman as to directly or indirectly cause the substantial and irreversible impairment of a major bodily function.” Critics have said the law forces physicians to make legal as well as medical judgments. Rep. Bryan Terry, R-Murfreesboro, who introduced the House bill, said it was introduced as a way to improve the state's law after the United States Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade decision. The proposal passed the Senate in a 25-3 vote and must now pass the House before becoming law.

Yoga, Mindfulness and Meditation for Legal Professionals will be held on April 18 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. CDT and offer attorneys evidence-based meditation and yoga techniques to reduce stress and improve professional performance. Designed specifically for legal professionals, the program will provide practical strategies to enhance focus, maintain composure in high-pressure situations, and cultivate a sustainable work-life balance. No prior experience in yoga or meditation is necessary. For more information and to register, visit TBA’s website.