# Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-101: Applicability of title to children > Tennessee · Statutes · In force URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-101 ## Section - **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-101 - **Heading:** Applicability of title to children - **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee - **Kind:** Statutes - **Status:** In force - **Text as of:** August 14, 2026 - **Source:** Compiled text - **Location:** TN Code / Title 33 / Chapter 8 / Section 33-8-101 ## Text (a) Services for children who have mental illness or serious emotional disturbance are governed by all of this title. The general assembly finds that supporting families in their role as primary care givers for their children is more humane, efficient, and cost effective than placing children in state custody to obtain necessary services or otherwise placing children in settings outside their homes. (b) For children covered by this title, the following service principles are fundamental to carrying out the responsibilities of service providers and advocates: (1) Families and children are most responsible for determining their needs and should be included appropriately in planning and providing service and support; (2) Families should receive the support they need to care for their children at home; (3) Service providers and advocates should enable families and children to make good decisions concerning necessary, desirable, and appropriate services; (4) Service providers should coordinate services among agencies likely to provide services and supports to children and families; (5) Service providers and advocates should participate in development of interagency agreements under § 33-1-308 to assure consideration of the needs and problems of children and families; and (6) Service providers should achieve smooth transitions in services and supports as children grow through various stages of development and become vested in making decisions for themselves, including the transition into adulthood. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 688,s 92, eff. 7/1/2024. Acts 2000, ch. 947, § 1. (a) Services for children who have mental illness or serious emotional disturbance are governed by all of this title. The general assembly finds that supporting families in their role as primary care givers for their children is more humane, efficient, and cost effective than placing children in state custody to obtain necessary services or otherwise placing children in settings outside their homes. (b) For children covered by this title, the following service principles are fundamental to carrying out the responsibilities of service providers and advocates: (1) Families and children are most responsible for determining their needs and should be included appropriately in planning and providing service and support; (2) Families should receive the support they need to care for their children at home; (3) Service providers and advocates should enable families and children to make good decisions concerning necessary, desirable, and appropriate services; (4) Service providers should coordinate services among agencies likely to provide services and supports to children and families; (5) Service providers and advocates should participate in development of interagency agreements under § 33-1-308 to assure consideration of the needs and problems of children and families; and (6) Service providers should achieve smooth transitions in services and supports as children grow through various stages of development and become vested in making decisions for themselves, including the transition into adulthood. (1) Families and children are most responsible for determining their needs and should be included appropriately in planning and providing service and support; (2) Families should receive the support they need to care for their children at home; (3) Service providers and advocates should enable families and children to make good decisions concerning necessary, desirable, and appropriate services; (4) Service providers should coordinate services among agencies likely to provide services and supports to children and families; (5) Service providers and advocates should participate in development of interagency agreements under § 33-1-308 to assure consideration of the needs and problems of children and families; and ake good decisions concerning necessary, desirable, and appropriate services; (4) Service providers should coordinate services among agencies likely to provide services and supports to children and families; (5) Service providers and advocates should participate in development of interagency agreements under § 33-1-308 to assure consideration of the needs and problems of children and families; and (6) Service providers should achieve smooth transitions in services and supports as children grow through various stages of development and become vested in making decisions for themselves, including the transition into adulthood. Amended by 2024 Tenn. Acts, ch. 688,s 92, eff. 7/1/2024. Acts 2000, ch. 947, § 1. ## Nearby sections - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-101 Applicability of title to children](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-101.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-102 Responsibilities of department with regard to children](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-102.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-103 Children as priority population](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-103.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-104 Emancipated children - Rights and responsibilities under this title](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-104.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-105 Interagency plans for transition to adult services](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-105.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-106 Interagency agreements - Cooperation of service providers with department](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-106.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-201 Child with alcohol or drug dependence or developmental disability](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-201.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-202 Rights of child sixteen (16)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-202.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-203 Parents, custodians and guardians to participate in child's outpatient treatment plan](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-203.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-301 Electroconvulsive therapy upon child prohibited except under this part](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-301.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-302 Electroconvulsive therapy - When authorized for child with mania or severe depression](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-302.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-303 Electroconvulsive therapy - When authorized for child over fourteen (14)](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-303.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-304 Electroconvulsive therapy - When authorized for child in state custody](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-304.md) - [Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-8-305 Electroconvulsive therapy upon child - Court approval or finding of emergency required](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-305.md) --- Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T33_C8_S33-8-101. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.