AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 9 and Title 37, relative to child advocacy centers.
Summary
HB0046 requires the Department of Children’s Services, or another state department administering specially appropriated funds for child advocacy centers, to pay reimbursement requests from child advocacy centers within 30 days. If a reimbursement is not paid on time, the department must pay an additional late fee equal to 10% of the amount owed, and that penalty must come from the department’s existing budget without needing another appropriation.
The bill also adds an annual reporting requirement. Beginning January 15, 2026, and each January 15 thereafter, the Department of Children’s Services must report to the General Assembly on reimbursement timeliness for the prior calendar year, including how many reimbursements missed the 30-day deadline, the percentage of total reimbursements that represents, and the total late fees incurred. The act takes effect July 1, 2025.
Impact
The bill amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 9, section 9-4-213, to impose a statutory payment deadline and penalty structure for state reimbursements to child advocacy centers. It creates a direct fiscal and administrative obligation on the Department of Children’s Services, or any other department handling these funds, and requires the department to absorb late-payment penalties within its existing budget. It also adds a recurring legislative oversight mechanism through annual reporting to the House and Senate clerks.
Sentiment
No committee transcripts or recorded votes were provided, so there is no direct evidence of debate, support, or opposition in the available materials. Based on the bill text alone, the measure appears aimed at improving payment reliability and accountability for child advocacy centers, suggesting a generally pro-administration and pro-service-provider policy approach.
Contention
The main potential point of contention is the financial and administrative burden on the state agency responsible for reimbursements, since missed deadlines trigger a mandatory 10% penalty paid from the department’s budget without additional appropriation. Another possible issue is whether a fixed 30-day deadline is practical for all reimbursement processing circumstances. Child advocacy centers are the primary beneficiaries, while the Department of Children’s Services would bear the compliance and reporting obligations.