Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 1.

Present law authorizes juvenile court judges to appoint a nonlawyer special advocate trained in accordance with that role and in accordance with the standards of the Tennessee Court Appointed Special Advocates Association (CASA) to act in the best interest of a child before, during and after court proceedings. This bill adds a requirement that the court notify the parents of a child who is the subject of a child abuse investigation that the parents have a right to a nonlawyer who is trained in family advocacy (a "family special advocate"), unless an articulated immediate threat of harm exists. If a parent requests a family special advocate, then the court will be required to appoint a family special advocate to serve in the interests of family reunification and family support. A family special advocate may be present at all meetings, court appearances, and other proceedings related to the investigation which the parents are permitted to attend.