36-6-302 - Grandparents' visitation rights. - Tennessee Statutes

36-6-302. Grandparents' visitation rights.

(a)  (1)  (A)  If a child is removed from the custody of the child's parents, guardian or legal custodian; and

          (B)  If a child is placed in a licensed foster home, a facility operated by a licensed child care agency, or other home or facility designated or operated by the court, whether such placement is by court order, voluntary placement agreement, surrender of parental rights, or otherwise;

     (2)  Then, the grandparents of such child may be granted reasonable visitation rights to the child during such child's minority by the court of competent jurisdiction upon a finding that:

          (A)  Such visitation rights would be in the best interest of the minor child;

          (B)  The grandparents would adequately protect the child from further abuse or intimidation by the perpetrator or any other family member;

          (C)  The grandparents were not implicated in the commission of any alleged act against such child or of their own children that under the law in effect prior to November 1, 1989, would constitute the criminal offense of:

                (i)  Aggravated rape under § 39-2-603 [repealed];

                (ii)  Rape under § 39-2-604 [repealed];

                (iii)  Aggravated sexual battery under § 39-2-606 [repealed];

                (iv)  Sexual battery under § 39-2-607 [repealed];

                (v)  Assault with intent to commit rape or attempt to commit rape or sexual battery under § 39-2-608 [repealed];

                (vi)  Crimes against nature under § 39-2-612 [repealed];

                (vii)  Incest under § 39-4-306 [repealed];

                (viii)  Begetting child on wife's sister under § 39-4-307 [repealed];

                (ix)  Use of minor of obscene purposes under § 39-6-1137 [repealed]; or

                (x)  Promotion of performance including sexual conduct by minor under § 39-6-1138 [repealed]; and

          (D)  The grandparents are not implicated in the commission of any alleged act against such child or of their own children that under the law in effect on or after November 1, 1989, would constitute the criminal offense of:

                (i)  Aggravated rape under § 39-13-502;

                (ii)  Rape under § 39-13-503;

                (iii)  Aggravated sexual battery under § 39-13-504;

                (iv)  Sexual battery under § 39-13-505;

                (v)  Criminal attempt for any of the offenses in subdivisions (a)(2)(D)(i)-(a)(2)(D)(iv) as provided in § 39-12-101;

                (vi)  Incest under § 39-15-302;

                (vii)  Sexual exploitation of a minor under § 39-17-1003;

                (viii)  Aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor under § 39-17-1004; or

                (ix)  Especially aggravated sexual exploitation of a minor under § 39-17-1005.

(b)  This section shall not apply in any case in which the child has been adopted by any person other than a stepparent or other relative of the child.

[Acts 1971, ch. 74, §§ 1, 2; 1975, ch. 330, § 1; T.C.A., §§ 36-1101, 36-1102; Acts 1985, ch. 341, § 1; 1985, ch. 478, § 22; 1995, ch. 428, § 3; T.C.A. § 36-6-301; Acts 1997, ch. 503, § 1; 2000, ch. 981, § 51.]