Senate Bill 252 amends Tennessee Code Annotated, Section 29-13-106, specifically addressing the maximum award for criminal injuries compensation. The bill deletes the existing subsection (h) and replaces it with new provisions that establish the intent of the General Assembly for the maximum award to be no less than 105% of the national average of maximum compensation awards across all states, the District of Columbia, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Additionally, starting January 1, 2026, the state treasurer is tasked with comparing Tennessee's maximum award limit to the national average every three years and adjusting it accordingly if it falls below the specified threshold.

The bill outlines that if the state treasurer finds Tennessee's maximum award to be less than 105% of the national average, they must adjust it to meet that standard, rounding up to the nearest $100. Furthermore, the adjusted maximum award must be published on the Department of Treasury's website by March 1 of the comparison year, with the new amount taking effect on July 1 of that year. The actions of the state treasurer in this context are exempt from the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, ensuring a streamlined process for these adjustments. The act is set to take effect immediately upon becoming law.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 29-13-106