ÿWPC’G ÆÄá7OÝ/|Èyyd{!äOŒÆ9Ûïêñø1£ È(7O´qËøä²âôP¦Ù—µ’“úàtÕü`ÆjÉŽV<ÿ‡·Ö¸>S\ýÆ}ÐYzmÇ/sÊKy\²S§ÖScA¾Áµ<•S{˜½¹»\.Ϙu–jQÅmšÍ鄎|¶ÝjøüÙv⌿ó…8Ö¨…Ó‹'Pb}²7†f.…ÉliÒ Ìí·£e%”ZæÛÜÁ#€œd£+·5D_ Œø2&åHI<Ö&˜Ï†Ž¯œb´Ê}=<¤·hƒ…@º‡ʹdé•¿Vz)-ŒD›Ë0!rÙ)=ÈÉ{+»êu«¾–V±ãû~Æù†˜Ð«¯‘kUboʦ~”ÂwÒ¡EA~µºéº®j"iÊjÆÓËŽƒëɤ˜ ÀÝfÚ5KHÏtÈŒ9©¶|}jƒã±Ù™BžˆBom(xùëMÑ0/_%û?Õ‚±¡ — 3ßù´6dU-Nx %Æ 04Ì#! t! ¬• ^ A wM 4Q e t mv b 0î™ ‡ N ‚‘ 0D ºW 0P b a m ’W#j˜%'y5"z®%“(*…»,o@0Ò¯3!6ô¢8Ú–:Ùp<<I> 0D…A…A…ACÉAU: C C C C C CFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFCFC 0P\C D5¬C¬C BáCáCáC AQþCÆOD-E 0PBG(í€"  Z6Times New Roman Regular»( ¤U$¡¡Ó  Ó˜HP LaserJet 8000 DN PSØÚØÚÚØØÚ0˜C:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\ORDER.WPTC:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\Order.wptÛ”='L {Z=' œ3|x ÿU‹ÿÀÀÀ- ù -(G2(.$¤¤Ý ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X7ÞX»»ÔÑ  ÑÑÑà ` àòòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚÔ€X7ÞXhX7ÞÔóó ˜D:\PROGRA~1\COREL\WORDPE~1\TEMPLATE\CUSTOM~1\KOCH\OPINION.WPT(#Ã$òòÚ  Ú0Ú  ÚóóD:\Program Files\Corel\WordPerfect Office 2000\Template\Custom WP Templates\Koch\Opinion.wpt((3ž¸$¢¢Ý ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  Ý- ù - Ý ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔBy€Mr.€Roseððs€count,€Ms.€Stanford€visited€him€sixty„two€times€between€April€1994€andÐ ° ÐOctober€1996€and€brought€E.N.R.€with€her€on€most€of€these€visits.€€Ms.€Stanford€conceded€that€sheÐ  ð Ðbrought€E.N.R.€to€visit€Mr.€Rose€in€prison€on€approximately€one„half€of€her€visits. ˆÝ ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔEven€though€the€record€does€not€reveal€precisely€how€Mr.€Roseððs€lawyer€challenged€theÐ ° Ðconstitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6),€the€transcript€of€the€May€15,€1998€proceedingÐ  ð Ðindicates€that€counsel€for€both€parties€and€the€trial€court€were€aware€that€the€constitutionality€of€theÐ à Ðstatutory€grounds€for€terminating€Mr.€Roseððs€parental€rights€was€at€issue. MÝ ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€trial€court€indicated€that€it€was€obligated€to€follow€òòWorley€v.€Stateóó,€No.€03A01„9708„JV„Ð ° Ð00366,€1998€WL€52098€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Feb.€10,€1998)€(No€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed)Ð  ð Ðin€which€the€Eastern€Section€with€little€discussion€declared€that€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)Ð à Ðwas€constitutional. Ý ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔRegrettably,€the€trial€court€employed€the€wrong€legal€standard€to€determine€whether€Mr.€andÐ ° ÐMs.€Reed€had€established€that€terminating€Mr.€Roseððs€parental€rights€was€in€E.N.R.ððs€best€interests.€Ð  ð ÐThe€trial€court€employed€a€ð ðpreponderance€of€the€evidenceðð€standard.€€As€Judge€Cottrell€points€outÐ à Ðin€the€courtððs€opinion€ð ðthe€[trial]€court€must€determine€whether€it€has€also€been€shown€by€clear€andÐ €Ð Ðconvincing€evidence€that€termination€of€the€parentððs€rights€is€in€the€childððs€best€interests.ðð€€TheÐ pÀ Ðcourtððs€use€of€the€passive€voice€should€not€obscure€the€fact€that€the€burden€of€persuasion€on€thisÐ ` ° Ðpoint€rests€with€the€persons€seeking€to€terminate€the€biological€parentððs€parental€rights. ŽÝ ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€Advisory€Commission€Comment€to€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€32€states,€in€part:€ð ðThe€provisionsÐ ° Ðof€this€rule€are€supplementary€to,€and€do€not€affect€the€provisions€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€23„1107Ð  ð Ð(1955)€[recodified€as€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„14„107]€and€rule€24.04€of€the€Tennessee€Rules€of€CivilÐ à ÐProcedure,€with€respect€to€notice€to€the€Attorney€General€in€trial€court€proceedings.ðð øÝ ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔDespite€some€equivocation€in€the€language€of€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€32(d),€the€AdvisoryÐ ° ÐCommission€Comment€explains€that€this€section€ð ðensures€that€in€the€absence€of€notice€to€theÐ  ð ÐAttorney€General€the€appellate€court€will€not€dispose€of€the€appeal.ðð€€ Ý ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€per€curiam€order€alluded€to€in€the€Courtððs€opinion€was€entered€on€October€15,€1976.€Ð ° ÐIt€stated,€in€part:Ð  ð ÐÌà8 ` àà ¸ àThe€record€in€this€cause€fails€to€reflect€that€the€Attorney€General€of€the€StateÐ €Ð Ðwas€made€a€party€or€served€with€a€copy€of€the€proceedings€in€accordance€with€T.C.A.Ð pÀ Ððð€23„1107€and€Rule€24.04,€Tennessee€Rules€of€Civil€Procedure.€€These€requirementsÐ ` ° Ðare€mandatory€where€the€constitutionality€of€an€act€of€the€Legislature€is€before€theÐ P   ÐCourt€in€an€action€for€a€declaratory€judgment.€€[citations€omitted]Ð@ ` (#` (# ÐÌà8 ` àà ¸ àDue€to€the€failure€to€include€a€necessary€party,€the€decree€of€the€ChanceryÐ  p  ÐCourt€invalidating€the€qualification€provisions€of€Chapter€848,€ðð€4,€Public€Acts€ofÐ `  Ð1976,€on€constitutional€grounds€is€of€no€force€and€effect.ÐP ` (#` (# ÐÌòòPaty€v.€McDanielóó,€Hamilton€Equity€(Tenn.,€Oct.€15,€1976). oÝ ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€Courtððs€concern€about€collusion€between€the€county€judge€and€the€county€trustee€wasÐ ° Ðapparently€well„founded.€€After€the€Court€dismissed€the€first€suit,€the€parties€switched€sides€and€filedÐ  ð Ða€second€suit€challenging€the€statuteððs€constitutionality.€€On€this€occasion,€the€parties€notified€theÐ à ÐAttorney€General€who€defended€the€constitutionality€of€the€statute.€€On€appeal,€the€Court€upheld€theÐ €Ð Ðtrial€courtððs€conclusion€that€the€statute€violated€Tenn.€Const.€art.€II,€ðð€28.€€òòSee€Shipp€v.€Cummingsóó,Ð pÀ Ð158€Tenn.€526,€529,€14€S.W.2d€747,€748€(1929).€€ pÝ ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔFor€example,€I€would€find€little€solace€in€the€notion€that€this€court€should€remand€a€caseÐ ° Ðto€give€the€Attorney€General€the€required€notice€when€the€trial€court€has€determined€that€a€statuteÐ  ð Ðis€unconstitutional€but€not€when€the€trial€court€has€upheld€the€statute.€€òòSee€Wallace€v.€KnoxvilleððsÐ à ÐCommunity€Dev.€Corp.óó,€568€S.W.2d€107,€110€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€1978)€(stating€that€ð ðif€the€circuit€judgeÐ €Ð Ðhad€held€the€statute€unconstitutional,€we€more€than€likely€would€have€remanded€the€causeðð).€€TheÐ pÀ ÐEastern€Section€apparently€still€follows€this€practice€because€there€is€no€indication€in€òòWorley€v.€StateóóÐ ` ° Ðthat€the€Attorney€General€received€notice€on€either€the€trial€or€appellate€level€that€theÐ P   Ðconstitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€had€been€challenged. ‰Ý ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔAfter€holding€that€Mr.€Harless€could€not€challenge€the€constitutionality€of€the€localÐ ° Ðordinance€and€the€underlying€state€statute€because€he€had€not€complied€with€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„Ð  ð Ð14„107(b),€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04,€or€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€32,€the€court€proceeded€to€decide€theÐ à Ðconstitutional€question€anyway.€€òòSee€Harless€v.€City€of€Kingsportóó,€1998€WL€131519,€at€*7. {Ý ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú12Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔWhen€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€reversed€our€decisions€that€prisoners€were€notÐ ° Ðð ðcitizensðð€entitled€to€access€to€public€records,€the€Court€noted€that€prisoners€in€Tennessee€are€notÐ  ð Ðautomatically€stripped€of€all€rights€of€citizenship€upon€conviction.€€òòSee€Cole€v.€Campbellóó,€968Ð à ÐS.W.2d€274,€276€(Tenn.€1998).€€This€holding€echoes€the€United€States€Supreme€Courtððs€admonitionÐ €Ð Ðthat€ð ð[p]rison€walls€do€not€form€a€barrier€separating€prison€inmates€from€the€protections€of€theÐ pÀ ÐConstitution.ðð€€òòTurner€v.€Safleyóó,€482€U.S.€78,€84,€107€S.€Ct.€2254,€2259€(1987). eÝ ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú13Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔA€clear€shortcoming€of€the€Eastern€Sectionððs€analysis€of€the€constitutionality€of€Tenn.€CodeÐ ° ÐAnn.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€in€òòWorley€v.€Stateóó€is€that€the€court€employed€the€wrong€constitutionalÐ  ð Ðprinciples.€€By€employing€a€ð ðreal€and€substantial€relationshipðð€analysis,€the€court€actually€usedÐ à Ðprinciples€associated€with€an€intermediate€scrutiny€analysis€under€the€Equal€Protection€Clause€of€theÐ €Ð ÐFourteenth€Amendment.€€The€United€States€Supreme€Court€traditionally€uses€intermediate€scrutinyÐ pÀ Ðto€analyze€statutory€classifications€based€on€gender.€€ ÈÝ ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú14Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSeeóó€Act€of€May€26,€1995,€ch.€532,€ðð€1,€1995€Tenn.€Pub.€Acts€952,€986„87.€€Prior€to€theÐ ° Ðenactment€of€this€statute,€a€parentððs€incarceration€was€not€mentioned€as€a€ground€for€termination€butÐ  ð Ðwas€a€factor€to€be€considered€in€the€context€of€determining€whether€the€parent€had€abandoned€theÐ à Ðchild.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„102(l)(A)(iv)€(Supp.€1998)€for€a€current€statutory€example€ofÐ €Ð Ðthis€approach. Ý ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú15Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€other€five€statutes€are€Ariz.€Rev.€Stat.€Ann.€ðð€8„533(B)(4)€(1999),€Colo.€Rev.€Stat.€ððÐ ° Ð19„3„604(1)(b)(III)€(1998),€Idaho€Code€ðð€16„2005(j)€(Supp.€1999),€Iowa€Code€Ann.€ððÐ  ð Ð232.116(l)(i)(2)€(West€Supp.€1999),€and€Or.€Rev.€Stat.€Ann.€ðð€109.322€(Butterworths€1990).€€ êÝ ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú16Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSee,€e.g.óó,€Alaska€Stat.€ðð€47.10.080(o)€(Supp.€1998);€Kan.€Stat.€Ann.€ðð€38„1583(b)(5)€(Supp.Ð ° Ð1998);€La.€Ch.ððs€Code€Ann.€art.€1015(6)€&€1036(E)€(West€Supp.€1999);€Mich.€Comp.€Laws€Ann.Ð  ð Ððð€712A.19b(3)(h)€(West€Supp.€1999). ÐÝ ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú17Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSee,€e.g.óó,€Ark.€Code€Ann.€ðð€9„9„220€(1998);€Conn.€Gen.€Stat.€Ann.€ðð€17a„112€&€45a„717Ð ° Ð(West€Supp.€1999);€Ky.€Rev.€Stat.€Ann.€ðð€625.090(2)€(Michie€Supp.€1998);€Nev.€Rev.€Stat.€ððÐ  ð Ð128.106€(1997). ÏÝ ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú18Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSee,€e.g.,€óóAla.€Code€ðð€26„18„7(a)(4)€(Supp.€1998);€Del.€Code€Ann.€13€ðð€1103(a)(5)€(Supp.Ð ° Ð1998);€Ga.€Code€Ann.€ðð€15„11„81(b)(4)(B)(iii)€(1999);€Mo.€Ann.€Stat.€ðð€211.447.6(6)€(West€Supp.Ð  ð Ð1999). 2Ý ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú19Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔòòSeeóó€Philip€M.€Gentry,€òòProcedural€Due€Process€Rights€Of€Incarcerated€Parents€InÐ ° ÐTermination€Of€Parental€Rights€Proceedings:€A€Fifty€State€Analysisóó,€30€J.€Fam.€L.€757€(1991„92);Ð  ð ÐPhilip€J.€Prygoski,€òòWhen€A€Hearing€Is€Not€A€Hearing:€Irrebuttable€Presumptions€and€TerminationÐ à ÐOf€Parental€Rights€Based€On€Statusóó,€44€U.€Pitt.€L.€Rev.€879€(1983);€Steven€Fleischer,€Note,Ð €Ð ÐòòTermination€Of€Parental€Rights:€An€Additional€Sentence€For€Incarcerated€Parentsóó,€29€Seaton€HallÐ pÀ ÐL.€Rev.€312€(1998).€€($$””ò òÚ  Ú1Ú  Úó ó 9Ý ƒž¸"ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÔ€,»Mû»»»ÔÔ€,Ôл,»MûÔÓ  Óò òÔ Ad ÔFILEDÔ€,X¤= X,ÔÐÔÐ  ÐÌSeptember€29,€1999ÌÌCecil€Ô_ÔCrowsonÔ_Ô,€Jr.ÌAppellate€Court€ClerkÔdA„Ôó ó,O²ÀAZ‹"Arial Regular Ñ ° Ñ((3ž¸$££Ý ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  Ý]]]])ÿÿ!dxdx daZ([Cþÿ<<CÿÿƒLevel 1Level 2Level 3Level 4Level 5 #Ý ƒ+$ÝÓ  ÓÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÔ€X³bX»»ÔÑ @ ÑÑ@Ñà ` àòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚÔ€X³bXhX³bÔóóÝ  ÝÔ_ÔThe€court€observes€in€a€footnote€that€the€record€contains€a€letter€from€an€assistant€attorneyÐ ° Ðgeneral€stating€that€ð ðthe€state€has€no€interestðð€in€the€case.€€As€I€understand€it€the€court€has€concludedÐ  ð Ðthat€this€letter€does€not€establish€compliance€with€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€32.02(d).€€I€agree.((3ž¸$§§Ý ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÝ ƒ¤U!ÝÓ  ÓÝ  ÝÔ_ÔÒ°ÒÒX°ÒÑTR[° AØ'ÿ Legal3Ø' AØ'ÿ Legalÿ3Ø'TÑÑ„°ÑÑ€ ÑÑ8€NÆ»»ddÈ8ÑÑ  ÑÔ€„úp„»»Ôò òÑ  ÑÑ  ÑÑ€2OaÑÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÔ_ÔÌà@¡ ¡ DàIN€THE€COURT€OF€APPEALS€OF€TENNESSEEˆÌßx€`+[B2.jzGm`  `€€@ÿEgÝ` 8ttxPŸp_ m xßà@ÜÜ)DàAT€NASHVILLEó óˆÐ pÀ ÐÔ€¼NÆ»„„úpÔÌÌà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)Ìà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àLawrence€ChanceryÐ  V ÐIN€RE:à ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p àNo.€8663„97Ð  h ÐTHE€ADOPTION€OFà h àà À àà  à)Ð *z  ÐFEMALE€CHILD,€E.N.R.à À àà  à)à p àAppeal€No.Ð <Œ  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)à p à01A01„9806„CH„00316Ð Nž  Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à)ÌÌÌÌà@ññ&Dàòòò òÔ€„úp„»¼NÆÔDISSENTING€OPINIONó óóóˆÐ ¨ø ÐÓ€ÓÔ€¼NÆ»„„úpÔÌà ` àÑ€ ÑI€cannot€concur€with€the€courtððs€disposition€of€this€case.€€My€disagreementÏstems,€not€from€a€belief€that€Timothy€Ray€Rose€could€or€should€ultimately€succeedÏin€preventing€the€termination€of€his€parental€rights,€but€rather€from€my€belief€that€he,Ïlike€anyone€else,€is€entitled€to€have€the€trial€and€appellate€courts€consider€hisÏchallenge€to€the€constitutionality€of€a€statute€that€materially€affects€one€of€hisÏfundamental€liberty€interests.€€The€court€has€decided€to€sidestep€this€issue€byÏinvoking€waiver€principles€that€cannot€be€reconciled€with€the€Tennessee€SupremeÏCourtððs€decisions€regarding€the€proper€procedure€for€adjudicating€challenges€to€aÏstatuteððs€constitutionality.€€I€would€find€that€the€trial€court€committed€reversible€errorÏby€failing€to€cause€the€Attorney€General€and€Reporter€to€be€notified€that€Mr.€Rose€hadÏchallenged€the€constitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€(Supp.€1998).€ÏAccordingly,€I€would€vacate€the€decision€and€remand€the€case€with€directions€toÏaddress€the€constitutional€challenge€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€afterÏcomplying€with€the€mandatory€requirements€of€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04€and€Tenn.ÏCode€Ann.€ðð€29„14„107(b)€(1980).ÌÌà@ùù.Dàò òI.ó óˆÐ S2£-2 ÐÌò òó óà ` àE.N.R.€was€born€on€December€21,€1993.€€Her€parents,€Timothy€Ray€Rose€andÐ Œ5Ü06 ÐAmy€Jenell€Stanford€were€not€married,€but€Ms.€Stanford€listed€Mr.€Rose€as€E.N.R.ððsÏfather€on€her€birth€certificate.€€Mr.€Rose€was€present€at€his€daughterððs€birth€andÏfrequently€visited€with€the€child€and€her€mother.€€Mr.€Rose€also€gave€Ms.€StanfordÏmoney€to€help€with€the€childððs€expenses.€€Mr.€Roseððs€circumstances€abruptly€changedÐ ø;H7> Ðshortly€after€E.N.R.ððs€birth.€€On€January€25,€1994,€he€pleaded€guilty€to€the€rape€of€€theÏfive„year„old€daughter€of€his€cousinððs€girlfriend,€and€on€February€8,€1994,€he€Ð øH Ðbegan€serving€a€twelve„year€prison€sentence.€€€€Ð œ ì ÐÌà ` àMs.€Stanford€frequently€took€E.N.R.€to€visit€with€Mr.€Rose€when€he€was€firstÐ ä 4  Ðincarcerated,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú1Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€Mr.€Rose€continued€to€send€Ms.€Stanford€money€to€the€extent€thatÐ ˆØ  Ðhe€was€able.€€As€time€passed,€however,€Ms.€Stanford€became€less€inclined€to€takeÐ ,|  ÐE.N.R.€to€visit€Mr.€Rose.€€Mr.€Rose€last€saw€E.N.R.€in€October€1996.€€Ms.€StanfordÐ Ð  Ðmarried€Jonathan€Lamar€Reed€in€May€1997.Ð tÄ ÐÌà ` àOn€August€28,€1997,€Mr.€and€Ms.€Reed€filed€a€petition€in€the€Chancery€CourtÐ ¼  Ðfor€Lawrence€County€seeking€to€terminate€Mr.€Roseððs€parental€rights€and€to€allowÐ `° ÐMr.€Reed€to€adopt€E.N.R.€€On€the€same€day,€Mr.€Rose€filed€a€pro€se€petition€toÐ T Ðlegitimate€E.N.R.€in€the€Lawrence€County€Juvenile€Court.€€The€trial€court€laterÐ ¨ø Ðconsolidated€Mr.€Roseððs€legitimation€petition€with€the€Reedsðð€adoption€petition€andÐ Lœ Ðappointed€an€attorney€to€represent€Mr.€Rose.€€Throughout€the€remainder€of€theÐ ð@  Ðproceedings,€Mr.€Rose€vigorously€contested€the€involuntary€termination€of€hisÐ ” ä" Ðparental€rights.€€He€also€challenged€the€constitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð 8"ˆ$ Ð113(g)(6),€the€statute€upon€which€the€Reeds€had€predicated€their€petition€to€terminateÐ Ü#,& Ðhis€parental€rights.׃`×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú2Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð €%Ð ( ÐÌà ` àOn€February€20,€1998,€the€trial€court€entered€an€order€finding€that€Mr.€RoseÐ È($, Ðwas€E.N.R.ððs€biological€father€and€directing€him€to€pay€Ms.€Reed€$9.03€per€monthÐ l*¼%. Ðfor€his€daughterððs€support.€€On€May€15,€1998,€the€trial€court€conducted€a€hearing€onÐ ,`'0 Ðthe€merits€with€regard€to€the€competing€petitions€for€legitimation€and€adoption.€€ByÐ ´-)2 Ðâ âthis€time,€Mr.€Rose€had€become€eligible€for€parole.€€After€hearing€the€testimony,€theÐ X/¨*4 Ðtrial€court€found€that€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€was€constitutional,׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú3Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ° Ðâ âterminated€Mr.€Roseððs€parental€rights€based€solely€on€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð T¤ Ð113(g)(6),׃P×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú4Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€dismissed€Mr.€Roseððs€legitimation€petition.€€Reflecting€its€view€of€theÐ øH Ðcloseness€of€the€evidence,€the€trial€court€ended€the€proceeding€with€this€comment:€ð ðIÐ œ ì Ðthink,€Mr.€Rose,€you€probably€were€and,€except€for€this€conviction,€would€haveÐ @  Ðcontinued€to€be€a€good€father€for€this€child.ððÐ ä 4  ÐÌà ` àMr.€Rose€appeals€the€termination€of€his€parental€rights.€€He€raises€two€issues.€Ð ,|  ÐFirst,€he€asserts€that€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€violates€the€Due€ProcessÐ Ð  ÐClause€of€the€Fourteenth€Amendment€and€Tenn.€Const.€art.€I,€ðð€8.€€Second,€he€assertsÐ tÄ Ðthat€the€evidence€does€not€support€the€trial€courtððs€conclusion€that€terminating€hisÐ h Ðparental€rights€and€permitting€Mr.€Reed€to€adopt€E.N.R.€is€in€the€childððs€best€interests.€Ð ¼  ÐWithout€addressing€Mr.€Roseððs€principal€claim€that€the€statutory€basis€for€terminatingÐ `° Ðhis€parental€rights€is€unconstitutional,€this€court€has€decided€that€E.N.R.ððs€interestsÐ T Ðwill€be€best€served€by€terminating€Mr.€Roseððs€parental€rights€and€by€permitting€Mr.Ð ¨ø ÐReed€to€adopt€her.Ð Lœ ÐÌà@ËË.Dàò òII.ó óˆÐ ” ä" ÐÌà ` àLitigation€of€constitutional€questions€is€not€intended€to€be€nonchalant.€€TheÐ Ü#,& ÐGeneral€Assembly€and€the€courts€have€put€in€place€an€elaborate€set€of€procedures€„Ð €%Ð ( Ðwell€known€to€this€court€„€that€should€be€invoked€when€the€constitutionality€of€aÐ $'t"* Ðstatute€is€attacked.€€These€procedures€serve€two€purposes:€first,€to€assure€the€existenceÐ È($, Ðof€a€genuine€case€or€controversy€and,€second,€to€assure€a€vigorous€defense€of€theÐ l*¼%. Ðstatute.€€Compliance€with€these€procedures€is€not€left€to€the€parties€alone.€€The€trialÐ ,`'0 Ðand€appellate€courts€have€obligations€as€well.Ð ´-)2 ÐÑ2OaÑâ 2âѰ„Ñâ 2âÑ  ÑÔ_ÔÔ_Ôà ` àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„14„107(b)€states€that€whenever€a€statute€is€alleged€to€beÐ ° Ðunconstitutional,€ð ðthe€attorney€general€of€the€state€shall€also€be€served€with€a€copyÐ T¤ Ðof€the€proceeding€and€be€entitled€to€be€heard.ðð€€While€the€statute€does€not€clearlyÐ øH Ðidentify€who€is€responsible€for€seeing€to€it€that€the€attorney€general€is€served€with€aÐ œ ì Ðcopy€of€the€complaint€challenging€the€constitutionality€of€a€statute,€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.Ð @  Ð24.04€corrects€this€oversight.€€In€unmistakable€terms,€the€rule€states:€ð ðWhen€theÐ ä 4  Ðvalidity€of€a€statute€of€this€state€.€.€.€is€drawn€in€question€in€any€action€to€which€theÐ ˆØ  ÐState€or€an€officer€or€agency€is€not€a€party,€the€court€shall€require€that€notice€be€givenÐ ,|  Ðthe€Attorney€General,€specifying€the€pertinent€statute,€rule€or€regulation.ðð€€TheÐ Ð  Ðcomment€to€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04€also€leaves€no€doubt€that€the€trial€courtððsÐ tÄ Ðobligation€to€ensure€that€the€Attorney€General€is€notified€of€a€challenge€to€a€statuteððsÐ h Ðconstitutionality€is€not€limited€to€declaratory€judgment€proceedings€but€rather€appliesÐ ¼  Ðto€ð ðactions€of€any€type.ððÐ `° ÐÌà ` àNeither€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„14„107(b)€nor€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04€require€theÐ ¨ø ÐAttorney€General,€once€notified€of€a€constitutional€challenge€to€a€statute,€to€defendÐ Lœ Ðthe€statute.€€After€receiving€notice,€the€Attorney€Generalððs€office€may,€for€reasonsÐ ð@  Ðsatisfactory€to€the€Attorney€General,€notify€the€court€that€the€office€does€not€intendÐ ” ä" Ðto€become€involved€in€the€suit.€€If,€however,€the€Attorney€General€declines€to€defendÐ 8"ˆ$ Ða€statuteððs€constitutionality,€he€or€she€must€notify€the€Speakers€of€the€House€andÐ Ü#,& ÐSenate€of€the€decision,€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€8„6„109(b)(9)€(1993).€€The€SpeakersÐ €%Ð ( Ðof€the€House€and€Senate,€acting€jointly,€may€then€employ€counsel€to€defend€theÐ $'t"* Ðstatute.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€8„6„109(c).Ð È($, ÐÌà ` àIn€addition€to€the€statute€and€rule€governing€constitutional€attacks€on€statutesÐ ,`'0 Ðin€the€trial€court,€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€32€ensures€that€the€Attorney€General€will€receiveÐ ´-)2 Ðnotice€when€the€constitutionality€of€a€statute€is€challenged€on€appeal.€€Tenn.€R.€App.Ð X/¨*4 ÐP.€32€does€not€supplant€the€requirements€of€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04€and€Tenn.€CodeÐ ü0L,6 ÐAnn.€ðð€29„14„107(b)׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú5Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€and€is€premised€on€the€assumption€that€the€requirements€ofÐ  2ð-8 ÐTenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04€and€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„14„107(b)€were€satisfied€in€the€trialÐ D4”/: Ðcourt.€€In€the€event€that€a€party€challenging€the€constitutionality€of€a€statute€fails€toÐ ° Ðserve€a€copy€of€its€brief€on€the€Attorney€General,€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€32.02(d)€directsÐ T¤ Ðthe€appellate€court€not€to€dispose€of€the€appeal€until€the€Attorney€General€has€beenÐ øH Ðnotified€and€given€an€opportunity€to€defend€the€statute.׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú6Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð œ ì ÐÌà ` àA€comparison€of€what€actually€happened€in€this€case€with€the€requirements€ofÐ ä 4  Ðthe€applicable€rules€and€Ô_Ôstatutes€reveals€that€not€one€single€notice€provision€has€beenÐ ˆØ  Ðcomplied€with.€Neither€Mr.€Rose€nor€his€appointed€lawyer€notified€the€AttorneyÐ ,|  ÐGeneral€of€Mr.€Roseððs€challenge€to€the€constitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð Ð  Ð113(g)(6).€€The€trial€court€did€not€discharge€its€obligation€to€ascertain€whether€theÐ tÄ ÐAttorney€General€had€received€the€required€notice€and€to€direct€that€proper€notice€beÐ h Ðgiven€if€it€had€not€already€been€done.€€Even€after€it€became€evident€that€the€AttorneyÐ ¼  ÐGeneral€had€not€been€properly€notified€of€the€constitutional€challenge€to€Tenn.€CodeÐ `° ÐAnn.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€in€either€the€trial€or€the€appellate€court,€this€court€compoundedÐ T Ðthe€problem€by€deciding€the€appeal€without€first€giving€the€Attorney€General€anÐ ¨ø Ðopportunity€to€respond.׃b`×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú7Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð Lœ ÐÌà ` àThe€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€has€provided€clear€directions€concerning€anÐ ” ä" Ðappellate€courtððs€responsibility€when€it€discovers€that€a€trial€court€has€addressed€theÐ 8"ˆ$ Ðconstitutionality€of€a€statute€without€the€required€notice€to€the€Attorney€General.€€InÐ Ü#,& Ðthe€absence€of€proper€notice€to€the€Attorney€General,€an€appellate€court€must€vacateÐ €%Ð ( Ðthe€decision€and€remand€the€case€to€the€trial€court€with€directions€to€revisit€the€issueÐ $'t"* Ðof€the€constitutionality€of€the€statute€after€the€required€notice€has€been€given€to€theÐ È($, ÐAttorney€General.€€òòSee€Buena€Vista€Special€Sch.€Dist.€v.€Board€of€Election€CommððrsÐ l*¼%. Ðof€Carroll€Countyóó,€173€Tenn.€198,€202,€116€S.W.2d€1008,€1009€(1938).€€The€CourtÐ ,`'0 Ðfollowed€this€route€most€recently€in€litigation€successfully€challenging€theÐ ´-)2 Ðconstitutionality€of€the€Tennessee€Constitutionððs€prohibition€against€ministers€servingÐ X/¨*4 Ðin€the€General€Assembly.€€Notwithstanding€the€importance€of€the€issue€and€theÐ ü0L,6 Ðimpending€election,€the€Court€remanded€the€case€to€the€trial€court€ð ðto€cure€theÐ ° Ðdeficiency€of€failure€to€make€the€Attorney€General€of€Tennessee€a€party.ðð€€òòPaty€v.Ð T¤ ÐMcDanielóó,€547€S.W.2d€897,€901€(Tenn.€1977),€òòrevððd€on€other€groundsóó,€435€U.S.€618,Ð øH Ð98€S.€Ct.€1322€(1978).׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú8Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð œ ì ÐÌà ` àI€can€find€only€one€case€in€which€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court€decided€againstÐ ä 4  Ðremanding€a€case€to€the€trial€court€to€cure€the€failure€to€notify€the€Attorney€General.€Ð ˆØ  ÐThat€case€involved€a€collusive€lawsuit€filed€by€the€county€judge€for€Hamilton€CountyÐ ,|  Ðagainst€the€county€trustee€for€Hamilton€County€seeking€to€declare€unconstitutionalÐ Ð  Ða€recently€enacted€state€law€that€changed€the€delinquency€date€for€payment€ofÐ tÄ Ðproperty€taxes.€€When€the€case€reached€the€Tennessee€Supreme€Court,€the€CourtÐ h Ðnoted€that€the€Attorney€General€had€not€been€made€a€party€but€dismissed€the€caseÐ ¼  Ðbecause€the€interests€of€the€county€judge€and€the€county€trustee€were€not€sufficientlyÐ `° Ðadverse.€€òòSee€Cummings€v.€Shippóó,€156€Tenn.€595,€597„98,€3€S.W.2d€1062,€1063Ð T Ð(1928).׃°×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú9Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€Courtððs€conclusion€that€the€trial€court€lacked€jurisdiction€to€consider€theÐ ¨ø Ðcomplaint€obviated€the€need€to€notify€the€Attorney€General.Ð Lœ ÐÌ€€à ` àThe€court€seeks€to€justify€its€decision€not€to€remand€this€case€by€citing€CourtÐ ” ä" Ðof€Appeals€decisions€stating€that€appellate€courts€may,€in€their€discretion,€disregardÐ 8"ˆ$ ÐTenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04,€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„14„107(b),€and€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€32Ð Ü#,& Ðand€decline€to€remand€a€case€when€the€Attorney€General€has€not€received€the€requiredÐ ° Ðnotice.€€I€would€not€to€follow€these€cases€to€the€extent€that€they€are€contrary€to€òòPatyÐ T¤ Ðv.€McDanielóó€and€òòBuena€Vista€Special€Sch.€Dist.€v.€Board€of€Election€Commððrs€ofÐ øH ÐCarroll€County.óó׃×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú10Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€The€other€decisions€cited€by€the€court€are€inapposite€because€theyÐ œ ì Ðinvolved€either€a€proceeding€in€which€the€constitutional€challenge€was€not€raised€inÐ @  Ðthe€trial€court,€òòsee€McDaniel€v.€General€Care€Corp.óó,€627€S.W.2d€129,€133€(Tenn.€Ct.Ð ä 4  ÐApp.€1981),€or€a€challenge€to€the€constitutionality€of€a€city€ordinance€that€theÐ ˆØ  ÐAttorney€General€is€not€required€to€defend.€€òòSee€Harless€v.€City€of€Kingsportóó,€No.Ð ,|  Ð03A01„9707„CH„00289,€1998€WL€131519,€at€*7€(Tenn.€Ct.€App.€Mar.€25,€1998)€(NoÐ Ð  ÐTenn.€R.€App.€P.€11€application€filed).׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú11Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð tÄ ÐÌà ` àThe€courtððs€efforts€to€distinguish€òòPaty€v.€McDanielóóand€òòBuena€Vista€SpecialÐ ¼  ÐSch.€Dist.€v.€Board€of€Election€Commððrs€of€Carroll€Countyóó€on€procedural€grounds€areÐ `° Ðunconvincing.€€Asserting€that€a€courtððs€decision€to€entertain€a€constitutional€issueÐ T Ðsomehow€depends€on€the€manner€in€which€the€issue€is€raised€is€judicial€sophistry€ofÐ ¨ø Ðthe€first€order€in€light€of€the€broad,€all€inclusive€language€of€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04Ð Lœ Ðand€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€32(a).€€These€rules€do€not€permit€courts€to€draw€distinctionsÐ ð@  Ðbased€on€the€manner€in€which€a€constitutional€question€is€raised.€€They€state€quiteÐ ” ä" Ðplainly€that€challenges€to€the€constitutionality€of€a€statute€in€any€action€or€appeal€toÐ 8"ˆ$ Ðwhich€the€State€or€an€officer€or€agency€is€not€a€party€should€not€be€decided€until€theÐ Ü#,& ÐAttorney€General€has€been€notified€of€the€proceeding.€€Thus,€as€long€as€Mr.€RoseÐ €%Ð ( Ðchallenged€the€constitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€in€the€trialÐ $'t"* Ðcourt,€how€he€did€it€should€be€of€little€significance.€€Ð È($, ÐÌÐ ,`'0 ЇÌà ` àThe€courtððs€conclusion€that€Mr.€Rose€waived€his€opportunity€to€challenge€theÐ T¤ Ðconstitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€does€not€sit€well€with€the€factsÐ øH Ðof€this€case€or€with€the€seriousness€of€the€constitutional€issues€being€raised.€€TheseÐ œ ì Ðissues€affect€not€only€rights€personal€to€Mr.€Rose€but€also€the€rights€of€all€those€whoÐ @  Ðmay€be€subjected€to€this€statute€in€the€future.€€The€court€has€decided€to€penalize€Mr.Ð ä 4  ÐRose€for€an€oversight€for€which€he€is€not€completely€responsible.€€In€the€finalÐ ˆØ  Ðanalysis,€both€Tenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04€and€Tenn.€R.€App.€P.€32€place€an€obligation€onÐ ,|  Ðthe€courts€to€see€to€it€that€the€Attorney€General€receives€notice€of€a€constitutionalÐ Ð  Ðchallenge€to€a€statute.€€This€obligation€exists€notwithstanding€the€courtððs€notionsÐ tÄ Ðabout€the€merits€of€the€constitutional€issue€being€raised.Ð h ÐÌà ` àRetreating€behind€the€shield€of€judicial€discretion€is€likewise€unavailing.€€TheÐ `° Ðquestion€here€is€not€whether€appellate€courts€have€some€leeway€in€determining€theÐ T Ðnature€of€the€relief€that€should€be€granted€in€a€particular€case.€€Of€course,€appellateÐ ¨ø Ðcourts€have€discretion€in€these€matters.€€The€question€here€is€whether€the€court,Ð Lœ Ðexercising€its€discretion,€should€brush€aside€Mr.€Roseððs€challenge€to€theÐ ð@  Ðconstitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6).€€In€my€mind,€the€courtððsÐ ” ä" Ðexplanation€for€its€decision€does€not€ring€true.€€Following€the€lead€of€the€TennesseeÐ 8"ˆ$ ÐSupreme€Court,€I€would€vacate€the€decision€and€remand€the€case€to€the€trial€court€toÐ Ü#,& Ðreconsider€Mr.€Roseððs€challenge€to€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€after€givingÐ €%Ð ( Ðthe€Attorney€General€an€opportunity€to€defend€the€statute.Ð $'t"* ÐÌà@-Dàò òIII.ó óˆÐ l*¼%. ÐÌà ` àMy€concern€over€the€courtððs€decision€to€sidestep€Mr.€Roseððs€challenge€to€theÐ ´-)2 Ðconstitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€is€heightened€by€theÐ X/¨*4 Ðfundamental€nature€of€the€rights€at€stake€and€by€the€serious€cloud€hanging€over€theÐ ü0L,6 Ðchallenged€statute.€€Until€the€constitutional€issues€surrounding€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„Ð  2ð-8 Ð1„113(g)(6)€can€be€fully€aired,€persons€like€Mr.€Rose,€whom€some€might€view€asÐ D4”/: Ðsocietyððs€detritus,€face€the€almost€certain€loss€of€their€relationships€with€their€childrenÐ è581< Ðwithout€a€prior€in„depth€judicial€consideration€of€whether€the€affected€child€will€beÐ Œ7Ü2> Ðharmed€if€his€or€her€ties€to€a€parent€are€not€severed.€€The€potential€psychologicalÐ 09€4@ Ðramifications€of€severing€a€childððs€relationship€with€a€parent€are€severe€enough€toÐ ° Ðrequire€individualized€termination€procedures€that€focus€chiefly€on€the€relationshipÐ T¤ Ðbetween€the€child€and€the€parent,€not€merely€the€parentððs€status.Ð øH ÐÌà ` àMr.€Roseððs€parental€relationship€with€E.N.R.€is€a€fundamental€liberty€interestÐ @  Ðentitled€to€the€greatest€possible€constitutional€protection.€€òòSee€Santosky€v.€Krameróó,Ð ä 4  Ð455€U.S.€745,€753,€102€S.€Ct.€1388,€1394„95€(1982);€òòNash„Putnam€v.€McCloudóó,€921Ð ˆØ  ÐS.W.2d€170,€174„75€(Tenn.€1996);€òòNale€v.€Robertsonóó,€871€S.W.2d€674,€678€(Tenn.Ð ,|  Ð1994);€òòHawk€v.€Hawkóó,€855€S.W.2d€573,€579€(Tenn.€1993).€€He€was€not€stripped€ofÐ Ð  Ðthese€rights€when€he€was€convicted€of€rape€and€sentenced€to€serve€twelve€years€inÐ tÄ Ðprison.׃ ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú12Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Nor€was€he€stripped€of€his€right€to€seek€judicial€redress€for€unconstitutionalÐ h Ðinfringements€of€his€rights.€€Indeed,€Mr.€Roseððs€right€of€access€to€the€courts€hasÐ ¼  Ðbecome€a€fundamental€political€right€because€it€is€his€only€effective€means€toÐ `° Ðpreserve€his€other€rights.€€òòSee€Hudson€v.€McMillianóó,€503€U.S.€1,€15,€112€S.€Ct.€995,Ð T Ð1003€(1992)€(Blackmun,€J.,€concurring€in€the€judgment).€€Ð ¨ø ÐÌà ` àWhen€a€state€statute€substantially€interferes€with€the€exercise€of€a€fundamentalÐ ð@  Ðliberty€interest,€it€must€satisfy€a€strict€two„prong€test€to€pass€constitutional€muster.€Ð ” ä" ÐSuch€a€statute€cannot€be€upheld€unless€it€is€supported€by€sufficiently€importantÐ 8"ˆ$ Ðgovernmental€interests€and€is€closely€tailored€to€effectuate€only€those€interests.€€òòSeeÐ Ü#,& ÐCruzan€v.€Director,€Mo.€Depððt€of€Healthóó,€497€U.S.€261,€303,€110€S.€Ct.€2841,€2864Ð €%Ð ( Ð(1990)€(Scalia,€J.,€concurring);€òòZablocki€v.€Redhailóó,€434€U.S.€374,€388,€98€S.€Ct.€673,Ð $'t"* Ð682€(1978).€€In€order€to€be€ð ðsufficiently€important,ðð€the€asserted€governmentalÐ È($, Ðinterest€must€be€compelling.€€òòSee€Roe€v.€Wadeóó,€410€U.S.€113,€155,€93€S.€Ct.€705,€728Ð l*¼%. Ð(1973);€òòHawk€v.€Hawkóó,€855€S.W.2d€at€579€n.8;€òòDavis€v.€Davisóó,€842€S.W.2d€588,€602Ð ,`'0 Ð(Tenn.€1992).€€The€state€and€federal€constitutions€impose€on€the€courts€the€obligationÐ ´-)2 Ðto€examine€carefully€the€extent€to€which€the€asserted€governmental€interests€areÐ X/¨*4 Ðserved€by€the€challenged€statute,€òòsee€Moore€v.€City€of€East€Clevelandóó,€431€U.S.€494,Ð ü0L,6 Ð499,€97€S.€Ct.€1932,€1936€(1977),€and€to€assure€that€fundamental€rights€are€protected,Ð  2ð-8 Ðnot€only€against€heavy„handed€frontal€attack€but€also€from€being€stifled€by€moreÐ ° Ðsubtle€governmental€interference.€€òòSee€Bates€v.€City€of€Little€Rockóó,€361€U.S.€516,€523,Ð T¤ Ð80€S.€Ct.€412,€416€(1960).׃!×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú13Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð øH ÐÌà ` àIt€is€constitutionally€impermissible€to€sever€a€parentððs€connection€with€his€orÐ @  Ðher€child€unless€there€has€first€been€a€finding€that€the€continuation€of€the€parent„childÐ ä 4  Ðrelationship€threatens€the€childððs€welfare.€€òòSee€In€re€Adoption€of€a€Female€ChildÐ ˆØ  Ð(Bond€v.€McKenzie)óó,€896€S.W.2d€546,€548€(Tenn.€1995);€òòNale€v.€Robertsonóó,€871Ð ,|  ÐS.W.2d€at€680;€òòHawk€v.€Hawkóó,€855€S.W.2d€at€582.€€Tennesseeððs€newly€mintedÐ Ð  Ðadoption€statutes€contain€a€list€of€types€of€parental€conduct€that€will€trigger€aÐ tÄ Ðtermination€proceeding.€€òòSeeóó€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g).€€The€necessaryÐ h Ðimplication€to€be€drawn€from€this€list€is€that€the€General€Assembly€has€concluded€thatÐ ¼  Ðthe€continuation€of€a€childððs€relationship€with€a€parent€who€commits€any€of€the€actsÐ `° Ðon€the€list€ipso€facto€threatens€the€childððs€welfare.€€That€rather€sweeping€conclusionÐ T Ðmay€or€may€not€be€true€depending€on€the€facts€of€the€case.Ð ¨ø ÐÌà ` àTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€provides€that€the€following€conduct€mayÐ ð@  Ðtrigger€the€initiation€of€a€termination€proceeding:Ð ” ä" ÐÓ€Óà8 ` àà8¸ ` (#` (#àà  àThe€parent€has€been€confined€in€a€correctional€orÐ 8"ˆ$ Ðdetention€facility€of€any€type,€by€order€of€a€court€as€a€resultÐ P# % Ðof€a€criminal€act,€under€a€sentence€of€ten€(10)€or€moreÐ h$¸& Ðyears,€and€the€child€is€under€eight€(8)€years€of€age€at€theÐ €%Ð ' Ðtime€the€sentence€is€entered€by€the€court.И&è!(¸ Ð ¸ Ð  ÐÌÓ€ÓThis€particular€ground€for€terminating€parental€rights€was€not€part€of€Tennesseeððs€law€Ð È($* Ðâ âuntil€1995.׃"0×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú14Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Our€statute€is€one€of€only€six€state€statutes€making€a€criminalÐ l*¼%, Ðconviction,€by€itself,€grounds€for€triggering€a€termination€proceeding.׃#×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú15Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Several€otherÐ ° Ðâ âstate€statutes€include€conviction€and€incarceration€in€conjunction€with€other€factorsÐ T¤ Ðas€grounds€for€terminating€parental€rights.׃$`×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú16Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Most€state€termination€statutes€either€doÐ øH Ðnot€mention€incarceration€specifically€as€separate€grounds€for€termination׃%ø×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú17Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€or€simplyÐ œ ì Ðinclude€conviction€and€incarceration€as€one€of€a€number€of€factors€to€be€consideredÐ @  Ðwhen€determining€abandonment€or€unfitness.׃& ×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú18Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×Ð ä 4  ÐÌà ` àSubstantial€questions€exist€concerning€the€constitutionality€of€statutes€likeÐ ,|  ÐTenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6)€that€permit€courts€to€terminate€parental€rightsÐ Ð  Ðbecause€of€the€status€of€the€parent€rather€than€because€of€the€detrimental€effect€of€theÐ tÄ Ðparent„child€relationship€on€the€child.׃'(×Ý ƒ#ÃÝòòÚ  Ú19Ú  ÚóóÝ  Ý×  ×€€Apart€from€the€statesðð€generalized€interestÐ h Ðin€the€welfare€of€children,€these€statutes,€as€a€practical€matter,€have€the€effect€ofÐ ¼  Ðshifting€the€focus€to€the€parentððs€conduct€alone€and€away€from€an€individualizedÐ `° Ðidentification€of€the€statesðð€particularized€interests€in€severing€a€specific€parent„childÐ T Ðrelationship.€€There€are€also€substantial€questions€concerning€the€closeness€of€the€fitÐ ¨ø Ðbetween€such€a€statuteððs€means€and€its€objectives€because€the€use€of€per€se€triggeringÐ Lœ Ðgrounds€in€termination€proceedings€could€very€well€result€in€cases€where€the€childÐ ð@  Ðwill€actually€be€harmed€by€irretrievably€severing€his€or€her€relationship€with€anÐ ” ä" Ðâ âotherwise€fit€incarcerated€parent.€€If€the€fit€between€a€statutory€ground€for€termination€Ð 8"ˆ$ Ðon€a€parentððs€fitness€cannot€withstand€close€constitutional€scrutiny,€no€amount€ofÐ ° Ðreliance€on€a€childððs€best€interests€can€save€the€statute.Ð T¤ Ðâ âÌà@¥¥.Dàò òIV.ó óˆÐ œ ì ÐÌà ` àReliance€on€the€best€interest€analysis€required€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„Ð ä 4  Ð113(c)(2)€to€cure€the€problems€created€by€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)ððs€list€of€perÐ ˆØ  Ðse€grounds€is€misplaced.€€I€can€find€no€reported€or€unreported€case€in€which€a€trial€orÐ ,|  Ðappellate€court€in€this€State€has€determined€that€a€childððs€best€interests€would€not€beÐ Ð  Ðserved€by€terminating€a€parentððs€rights€after€determining€that€statutory€grounds€forÐ tÄ Ðtermination€of€a€parentððs€rights€have€been€proven€by€clear€and€convincing€evidence.€Ð h ÐWhile€academically€possible,€it€is€unrealistic€to€expect€that€a€trial€court,€after€findingÐ ¼  Ðthat€a€parent€has€engaged€in€conduct€that€warrants€the€termination€of€his€or€herÐ `° Ðparental€rights,€will€decline€to€terminate€parental€rights€and€leave€the€parent„childÐ T Ðrelationship€intact.€€€Ð ¨ø ÐÌà ` àThe€state€and€federal€constitutions€protect€fundamental€liberty€interests€fromÐ ð@  Ðunwarranted€governmental€infringement€whether€the€infringement€is€ill„motivated€orÐ ” ä" Ðwell„intentioned.€€Mr.€Rose€has€attempted€to€question€whether€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„Ð 8"ˆ$ Ð1„113(g)(6)€impermissibly€interferes€with€his€constitutionally€protected€parentalÐ Ü#,& Ðrights.€€The€trial€court€decided€this€constitutional€question€without€complying€withÐ €%Ð ( ÐTenn.€R.€Civ.€P.€24.04€and€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€29„14„107(b).€€Rather€than€penalizingÐ $'t"* ÐMr.€Rose€for€the€trial€courtððs€oversight,€I€would€follow€the€lead€of€the€TennesseeÐ È($, ÐSupreme€Court€and€vacate€the€trial€courtððs€decision€and€remand€the€case€withÐ l*¼%. Ðdirections€to€give€proper€notice€to€the€Attorney€General€and€to€again€address€the€issueÐ ,`'0 Ðof€the€constitutionality€of€Tenn.€Code€Ann.€ðð€36„1„113(g)(6).Ð ´-)2 ÐÌÌÓ€Óà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  à_____________________________Ð  2ð-8 Ðà ` àà ¸ àà  àà h àà À àà  àWILLIAM€C.€KOCH,€JR.,€JUDGEÐ ¸3/9 Ð