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.

SB 1989 protects parents and legal guardians who raise children consistent with their biological sex - such as using gender-specific pronouns or making medical decisions based on biological sex - from being penalized in child welfare or custody cases. It specifically prohibits courts from treating such actions as child abuse, neglect, or grounds for removing a child, and bars these decisions from being considered negative factors in custody determinations. The bill amends Tennessee laws covering child welfare (TCA Title 37), criminal penalties (TCA Title 39), and family court procedures (TCA Title 36). It does not restrict other lawful parental decisions or override existing child protection laws.