Senate Bill 2225 amends Tennessee Code Annotated regarding child abuse investigations by restructuring the composition and training requirements of investigative teams. The bill specifies that each team must include representatives from various disciplines, including the department, district attorney's office, juvenile court, law enforcement, and, in cases of human trafficking, a representative from a specialized non-governmental agency. Additionally, it mandates that all team members complete fifteen hours of training annually related to severe child abuse and child sexual abuse.

The bill also revises the timeline for reporting findings from investigations of child abuse. For cases of child sexual abuse or severe child abuse, the department or team must report findings to the abuse registry within ninety days, while investigations concerning child fatalities must be reported within one hundred eighty days. If further time is needed, the commissioner may authorize a one-time extension of up to an additional one hundred eighty days. The bill ensures that all team members receive copies of investigation reports and outlines the process for further proceedings based on the findings. The act is set to take effect on July 1, 2026.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 37-1-607(a)(1)(A)(2), 37-1-607, 37-1-607(a)(3), 37-1-406(i), 37-1-406