# Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-103: Circumstances under which parent or guardian liable

> Tennessee · Statutes · In force

URL: https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-103

## Section

- **Citation:** Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-103
- **Heading:** Circumstances under which parent or guardian liable
- **Jurisdiction:** Tennessee
- **Kind:** Statutes
- **Status:** In force
- **Text as of:** August 14, 2026
- **Source:** Compiled text
- **Location:** TN Code / Title 37 / Chapter 10 / Section 37-10-103

## Text

(a) A parent or guardian shall be liable for the tortious activities of a minor child that cause injuries to persons or property where the parent or guardian knows, or should know, of the child's tendency to commit wrongful acts that can be expected to cause injury to persons or property and where the parent or guardian has an opportunity to control the child but fails to exercise reasonable means to restrain the tortious conduct. (b) A parent or guardian shall be presumed to know of a child's tendency to commit wrongful acts, if the child has previously been charged and found responsible for such actions. Acts 1957, ch. 76, § 3; 1981, ch. 161, § 3; T.C.A., § 37-1003; Acts 1985, ch. 439, § 2.
(a) A parent or guardian shall be liable for the tortious activities of a minor child that cause injuries to persons or property where the parent or guardian knows, or should know, of the child's tendency to commit wrongful acts that can be expected to cause injury to persons or property and where the parent or guardian has an opportunity to control the child but fails to exercise reasonable means to restrain the tortious conduct.
(b) A parent or guardian shall be presumed to know of a child's tendency to commit wrongful acts, if the child has previously been charged and found responsible for such actions.
Acts 1957, ch. 76, § 3; 1981, ch. 161, § 3; T.C.A., § 37-1003; Acts 1985, ch. 439, § 2.

## Nearby sections

- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-101 Recovery for injury or damage by juvenile](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-101.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-102 Limitation on amount of recovery](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-102.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-103 Circumstances under which parent or guardian liable](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-103.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-201 Short title - Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-201.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-202 Timely report of missing child - Offense of failure to report missing child - Defense - False allegation of failure to report](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-202.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-203 Formal missing child report - Entry of report into NCIC](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-203.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-204 Reports to juvenile court judge - Missing child order](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-204.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-205 Forms - File of missing children - Monthly reports of missing children - Dissemination of information](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-205.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-206 Child fingerprint cards](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-206.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-207 Children's fingerprint card file](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-207.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-208 Impact upon interstate compact on juveniles](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-208.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-209 Distribution of materials concerning missing children - Solicitation of contributions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-209.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-301 Legislative intent and findings](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-301.md)
- [Tenn. Code Ann. § 37-10-302 Part definitions](https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-302.md)

---

Source: Frix Law Library, https://www.frixlaw.com/law-library/statutes/STATE_TN_T37_C10_S37-10-103. Check the current official text before relying on it. Not legal advice.