House Bill 46, sponsored by McCalmon, amends Tennessee Code Annotated to enhance the financial accountability and reporting requirements for child advocacy centers. The bill introduces new provisions that mandate the Department of Children's Services, or any other department managing state funds allocated for child advocacy centers, to ensure that reimbursement payments are made within thirty days of a request. Additionally, if the reimbursement is not completed within this timeframe, the department is required to pay a late fee of ten percent of the total reimbursement amount owed, which must be covered by the department's existing budget without needing further appropriation.

Furthermore, the bill establishes an annual reporting requirement for the Department of Children's Services. By January 15 of each year, starting in 2026, the department must submit a report to the clerks of the Senate and House of Representatives detailing the timeliness of reimbursements to child advocacy centers from the previous calendar year. This report will include data on the number and percentage of reimbursements that did not meet the thirty-day deadline, as well as the total amount of late payment fees incurred. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2025.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 9-4-213