Children - As enacted, specifies that a parent's or legal guardian's action of raising, guiding, or instructing the parent's or legal guardian's child in a manner consistent with the child's biological sex is not a basis for certain findings or actions by the court, does not constitute the criminal offense of child abuse, child neglect, or child endangerment, and must not be considered as a negative factor by a court in determining a custody arrangement in the best interest of the child. - Amends TCA Title 36, Chapter 6; Title 37, Chapter 1 and Title 39, Chapter 15.

HB 2082 (Tennessee) protects parents and legal guardians who raise children consistent with their biological sex from certain legal consequences. It prohibits courts from considering such actions - like using correct pronouns or making medical decisions based on biological sex - as grounds for child abuse findings, custody denials, or removal of children. The bill explicitly states this does not override laws against actual abuse or neglect, and it requires courts to disregard these parental choices when determining custody arrangements in the child’s best interest. This bill directly affects Tennessee parents, courts, and child welfare agencies handling custody and dependency cases.