Tennessee Code Annotated
Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-6-101 (2026)
Short title - Legislative intent
✓ current as of May 2026
- (a) This part may be cited as the "Tennessee Adult Protection Act."
- (b)
- (1) The purpose of this part is to protect adults coming within this part from abuse, neglect or exploitation by requiring reporting of suspected cases by any person having cause to believe that such cases exist. It is intended that, as a result of such reports, the protective services of the state shall prevent further abuse, neglect or exploitation within the limitations set out in this part.
- (2) It is recognized that adequate protection of adults will require the cooperation of many agencies and service providers in conjunction with the department of human services due to the often complex nature of the risks to this adult group, and that services to meet the needs of this group will not always be available in each community. However, it is desirable that the following services, as well as other services needed to meet the intent of this part, be available: medical care, mental health and developmental disabilities services, including in-home assessments and evaluations; in-home services including homemaker, home-health, chore, meals; emergency services including shelter; financial assistance; legal services; transportation; counseling; foster care; day care; respite care; and other services as needed to carry out the intent of this part.
Acts 1978, ch. 899, § 1; T.C.A., § 14-2601; Acts 1986, ch. 630, § 1; T.C.A., § 14-25-101.
Notes of Decisions
Cited in 10
cases (1 in the last 5 years), 2007–2025 · leading case: Est. of Martha S. French v. Stratford House, 333 S.W.3d 546 (Tenn. 2011).
Est. of Martha S. French v. Stratford House, 333 S.W.3d 546 (Tenn. 2011). “For the reasons stated, the Administratrix may pursue a negligence per se theory with regard to her ordinary negligence claims based upon alleged violations of federal and state nursing home regulations.”
Conley v. Life Care Centers of Am., Inc., 236 S.W.3d 713 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007). “In its Motion to Amend the Complaint, Plaintiff acknowledged that the only basis for its claim for attorneys' fees was pursuant to TAPA, specifically Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-6-101 (d). The statute provides that a claimant shall be entitled to recover attorneys' fees if "abuse or…”
Owens v. Nat'l Health Corp., 263 S.W.3d 876 (Tenn. 2008). “The complaint asserts causes of action for negligence; gross negligence; wilful, wanton, reckless, malicious and/or intentional conduct; medical malpractice; and violations of the Tennessee Adult Protection Act, Tennessee Code Annotated sections 71-6-101 to -122. The complaint…”
Cannon v. McKendree Vill., Inc., 295 S.W.3d 278 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2008). “Cannon’s son, filed this action individually and as executor of her estate, 1 against McKendree alleging negligence including negligent supervision and abuse or neglect as defined by the Tennessee Adult Protection Act, Tenn.Code Ann. § 71-6-101 et seq. After taking a voluntary…”
Tina Y. Vaughn v. Kimberly Dickens-Durham (Tenn. Ct. App. 2018). “” Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-6-101 (b)(1). The Act is primarily a reporting statute, meaning that an individual’s role thereunder is to report suspected abuse, neglect, or exploitation.”
Daniel Richmond v. Vanguard Healthcare Servs., LLC (Tenn. Ct. App. 2016). “See Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-6-101 (b)(1) (“The purpose of this part is to protect adults coming within this part from abuse, neglect, or exploitation by requiring reporting of suspected cases by any person having cause to believe that such cases exist.”
Shawn Howell, Individually & as Adm'r for the Est. of Jesse Franklin Browning, Jr. v. Claiborne & Hughes Health Ctr. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2010). “§ 71-6-101 et seq.; negligent or intentional misrepresentation based upon representations that the defendants had adequate staff; violations of the Tennessee Consumer Protection Act, Tenn.”
Dwight Barbee, as Adm'r of the Est. of Faye Glenn v. Kindred Healthcare Operating, Inc. (Tenn. Ct. App. 2008). “Barbee had never received 1 T.C.A. § 71-6-101 et seq. (2004 & Supp. 2007).”
Est. of Martha S. French v. Stratford House - Dissenting (Tenn. 2011). “1 Tenn. Code Ann. §§ 71-6-101 to -124 (2004 & Supp.”
Daniel H. Rader IV ex rel. Est. of Christine Joy Koczwara v. John Beasley (Tenn. Ct. App. 2025). “§ 71-6-101 to -120.4 The Petition alleged, inter alia, that Mr.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-6-101(b)(1) — 1 case
Est. of Martha S. French v. Stratford House, 333 S.W.3d 546 (Tenn. 2011). “For the reasons stated, the Administratrix may pursue a negligence per se theory with regard to her ordinary negligence claims based upon alleged violations of federal and state nursing home regulations.”
— Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-6-101(d) — 1 case
Conley v. Life Care Centers of Am., Inc., 236 S.W.3d 713 (Tenn. Ct. App. 2007). “In its Motion to Amend the Complaint, Plaintiff acknowledged that the only basis for its claim for attorneys' fees was pursuant to TAPA, specifically Tenn. Code Ann. § 71-6-101 (d). The statute provides that a claimant shall be entitled to recover attorneys' fees if "abuse or…”
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