Senate Bill 1644, also known as the "Stable Homes for Foster Youth Act," aims to enhance the welfare of children in the foster care system in Tennessee. The bill establishes new guidelines to ensure that foster children are not placed in inappropriate temporary housing such as vehicles, state offices, or hotels, except in emergency situations lasting no longer than 24 hours. It mandates that foster children be placed in stable environments, including kinship care, licensed foster families, or small group homes with a maximum of ten children. Additionally, the bill limits the number of times a foster child can be moved to two times per year, unless extenuating circumstances arise, and requires caseworkers to provide written explanations for any placement changes.

The bill also introduces a real-time tracking system for foster children to enhance their safety and well-being while in custody. This system is designed to protect the privacy of the children while ensuring their whereabouts can be monitored. Furthermore, the Department of Children's Services is tasked with preparing an annual report that includes data on foster placements, instances of prohibited placements, and the effectiveness of the tracking system. Overall, the legislation seeks to create a more stable and supportive environment for foster youth in Tennessee.