AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 9; Title 12; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 49, relative to funding of child advocacy centers.
Summary
HB0641 revises Tennessee’s funding framework for child advocacy centers, which provide forensic interviews, victim advocacy, medical exams, and related services for abused and neglected children. The bill adds a new mechanism requiring the State Funding Board, each December, to certify the prior fiscal year’s general fund revenue growth rate. If that certified growth rate is at least 1%, then the base amount of child advocacy center contracts in each judicial district must increase by 3% on the following July 1.
The bill also sets new contract base amounts, subject to appropriation, for two categories of services: a contract labeled “child advocacy center” must be increased to $127,855.98, and a contract labeled “forensic child interviewer” must be increased to $85,000 per contracted interviewer. It expressly states that it is not itself an appropriation, and no funds may be obligated or spent unless specifically appropriated in the general appropriations act. The act takes effect July 1, 2025, and applies to contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after that date.
Impact
HB0641 amends Tennessee Code Annotated § 9-4-213 and affects the state’s child advocacy center funding structure by tying future increases to revenue growth and by establishing higher baseline contract amounts. It does not create a standalone spending mandate; instead, it conditions implementation on legislative appropriations, leaving the actual fiscal effect dependent on the annual budget process. The bill primarily impacts the Department of Children’s Services, child advocacy centers, forensic child interviewers, and the judicial-district-based network that serves child victims across Tennessee.
Sentiment
The bill appears to have broad bipartisan and institutional support. It advanced unanimously through subcommittee and committee votes and passed the House floor overwhelmingly, indicating strong agreement on the need to strengthen support for child advocacy centers. The bill’s findings emphasize Tennessee’s leadership in child protection and the strain caused by stagnant funding since 1999, which likely contributed to the favorable reception.
Contention
There is little visible opposition in the available record, as all recorded votes were unanimous or near-unanimous. The main policy issue is not whether child advocacy centers should be funded, but how and when funding should increase. The bill’s revenue-growth trigger, the new contract base amounts, and the explicit requirement that funds still be appropriated in the general appropriations act are the key structural points, with any fiscal concerns likely centered on budget impact and future appropriations rather than the underlying purpose of the measure.
Crossfiled
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 9; Title 12; Title 37; Title 39 and Title 49, relative to funding of child advocacy centers.