Amends TCA Title 8, Chapter 8 and Title 36.
Present law provides that any final decree or decree of modification in an action for absolute divorce, legal separation, annulment, or separate maintenance involving a minor child must incorporate a permanent parenting plan, which must adhere to certain requirements. This bill adds to the present law by providing that, in cases in which custody of a child is shared, the permanent parenting plan must establish at least one designated location for the exchange of the child. Unless otherwise agreed by both parents in writing, the court may require the parents to exchange the child at a neutral safe exchange location.<br /> <br /> This bill requires each sheriff to designate at least one parking lot at the sheriff's office as a neutral safe exchange location at which parents with shared custody of a child may meet to exchange the child. A sheriff must ensure that a parking lot designated as a neutral safe exchange location has a purple light or a sign on the parking lot premises to clearly identify the designated area as a neutral safe exchange location. The parking lot must meet the following criteria:<br /> <br /> (1) Be accessible 24 hours a day and seven days a week;<br /> <br /> (2) Have adequate lighting and an external video surveillance system that records continuously, 24 hours a day and seven days a week; and<br /> <br /> (3) Have at least one camera that is fixed on the parking lot, is able to record the area in the vicinity of the purple light or sign, records images that clearly and accurately display the time and date, and retains video surveillance recordings or images for at least 45 days.<br /> <br /> This bill clarifies that a sheriff, sheriff's deputy, or employee of the sheriff's department is not liable for civil damages for any act or omission made in response to an incident arising out of a meeting to exchange a child at a neutral safe exchange location pursuant to this bill, except due to the person's gross negligence, willful misconduct, or bad faith.<br />
Present law provides that any final decree or decree of modification in an action for absolute divorce, legal separation, annulment, or separate maintenance involving a minor child must incorporate a permanent parenting plan, which must adhere to certain requirements. This bill adds to the present law by providing that, in cases in which custody of a child is shared, the permanent parenting plan must establish at least one designated location for the exchange of the child. Unless otherwise agreed by both parents in writing, the court may require the parents to exchange the child at a neutral safe exchange location.<br /> <br /> This bill requires each sheriff to designate at least one parking lot at the sheriff's office as a neutral safe exchange location at which parents with shared custody of a child may meet to exchange the child. A sheriff must ensure that a parking lot designated as a neutral safe exchange location has a purple light or a sign on the parking lot premises to clearly identify the designated area as a neutral safe exchange location. The parking lot must meet the following criteria:<br /> <br /> (1) Be accessible 24 hours a day and seven days a week;<br /> <br /> (2) Have adequate lighting and an external video surveillance system that records continuously, 24 hours a day and seven days a week; and<br /> <br /> (3) Have at least one camera that is fixed on the parking lot, is able to record the area in the vicinity of the purple light or sign, records images that clearly and accurately display the time and date, and retains video surveillance recordings or images for at least 45 days.<br /> <br /> This bill clarifies that a sheriff, sheriff's deputy, or employee of the sheriff's department is not liable for civil damages for any act or omission made in response to an incident arising out of a meeting to exchange a child at a neutral safe exchange location pursuant to this bill, except due to the person's gross negligence, willful misconduct, or bad faith.<br />
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