Senate Bill 2225, also known as House Bill 2527, amends Tennessee Code Annotated regarding child abuse investigations. The bill modifies the composition of investigative teams by specifying 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 team members complete 15 hours of annual training related to severe child abuse and child sexual abuse.

The bill also revises the timeline for reporting findings to the department's abuse registry. For most cases, the report must be submitted within 90 days, while investigations concerning child fatalities have a 180-day deadline, with the possibility of a one-time extension for good cause. Furthermore, it ensures that all team members receive a copy of the investigation report, and the district attorney is notified in cases where abuse is indicated. 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