Bill > SB0450

This bill, known as the Savannah Grace Copeland Act, establishes a mechanism for incrementally increasing funding for child advocacy centers in Tennessee. Specifically, if the state's general fund revenue grows by at least 1% in a fiscal year, child advocacy center contracts will automatically increase by 3% the following July 1st. The bill sets new baseline contract amounts, mandating that standard child advocacy center contracts be raised to $127,855.98 and forensic child interviewer contracts be increased to $85,000 per interviewer. Importantly, the bill does not automatically appropriate funds but requires specific funding through the general appropriations act. These changes are designed to support services for child victims and will take effect on July 1, 2025, applying to contracts entered into, renewed, or amended on or after that date. The bill aims to provide more stable and predictable funding for organizations that support and investigate cases involving child victims.

Budget and Finance, Justice

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/default.aspx?BillNumber=SB0450&ga=114