Tennessee § 37-1-175 - Temporary legal custody for children with mental illnesses.
Full text of Tennessee Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-175 — Temporary legal custody for children with mental illnesses., with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 37-1-175. Temporary legal custody for children with mental illnesses.
IF AND ONLY IF a child is the subject of a proceeding under this chapter, AND the child is mentally ill, AND the child needs care, training, or treatment because of the mental illness, AND all available less drastic alternatives to committing the child to the temporary legal custody of the department are unsuitable to meet the child's needs for care, training, or treatment for the mental illness, THEN a juvenile court may commit the child to the temporary legal custody of the department in proceedings conducted in conformity with §§ 33-3-602 — 33-3-608, 33-3-610 — 33-3-620, and 33-6-505 — 33-6-508, to meet the child's needs for care, training, or treatment for the mental illness. Acts 1986, ch. 836, § 3; 1996, ch. 1079, §§ 37-39; T.C.A., § 33-3-203 ; Acts 2000, ch. 947, § 7. Compiler's Notes. Acts 1986, ch. 836, § 8, provided that the implementation of the provisions of this section as enacted by that act and the expenditure of any funds to implement such provisions shall be subject to the approval of the commissioner of finance and administration. For the establishment of the Tennessee Children's Plan, see Executive Order No. 58 (June 29, 1994). For transfer of certain case management functions from the department of mental health and mental retardation [department of mental health and developmental disabilities] to the department of health, see Executive Order No. 5 (November 9, 1995). Law Reviews. Reducing Unintended Ambiguity in Statutes: An Introduction to Normalization of Statutory Drafting (Grayfred B. Gray), 54 Tenn. L. Rev. 433 (1987). Attorney General Opinions. Commitment of juveniles, OAG 87-188 (12/14/87).
Source: official Tennessee text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Tennessee § 37-1-175
What does Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-175 cover?
Section 37-1-175 ("Temporary legal custody for children with mental illnesses.") is part of the Tennessee Code Annotated, the codified statutory law of Tennessee. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Tennessee § 37-1-175?
A common citation format is "Tennessee Code Annotated § 37-1-175" (Tennessee). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Tennessee law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Tennessee official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Tennessee attorney.
How does Tennessee § 37-1-175 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Tennessee can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Tennessee.