As used in this chapter, unless the context otherwise requires:(1) 'Child born out of wedlock' means a child born to parents who are not married to each other when the child was born;(2) 'Court' means the juvenile court or any trial court with general jurisdiction;(3) 'Father' means the biological father of a child born out of wedlock;(4) 'Mother' means the biological mother of a child born out of wedlock;(5) 'Parent' means the biological mother or biological father of a child, regardless of the marital status of the mother and father; and(6) 'Father,' 'mother,' and 'parent' do not include a biological parent whose parental rights have been terminated for a child whose parentage is at issue. Acts 1997, ch. 477, § 1.
Tennessee Legal Code