Children - As enacted, clarifies that the economic disadvantage of a parent or guardian alone is not a ground for termination of parental rights; clarifies that, for purposes of laws relative to juvenile courts and proceedings, "neglect" does not exist solely on the basis of economic disadvantage. - Amends TCA Title 36; Title 37 and Title 39.

SB 560 clarifies that a parent's or guardian's economic disadvantage alone cannot be used as grounds to terminate parental rights or define a child as neglected or abused in Tennessee courts. The bill explicitly states that courts must not consider financial hardship as a factor unless reasonable material resources (like cash assistance, housing, or goods) were offered to the parent or guardian and refused. This affects parents facing juvenile court proceedings where poverty might otherwise be misinterpreted as neglect. Key provisions amend Tennessee laws in Titles 36, 37, and 39 to require courts to weigh financial hardship only after offering resources, and to define terms like "neglect" and "abuse" to exclude economic disadvantage as a sole cause. The law takes effect July 1, 2025.