AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 36, relative to the creation of the state foster care and adoption review board.
Impact
The bill mandates that the new review board will consist of 13 members appointed from various sectors, including former foster children, licensed professional counselors, juvenile court judges, and case managers from licensed foster or adoption entities. The appointments are distributed among the Governor and the Speakers of the Senate and House, aiming to reflect the demographics of the state. This legislative action is intended to create a focused entity that can scrutinize and enhance the foster care system, leading to improved outcomes for children in care.
Summary
Senate Bill 1940 seeks to amend the Tennessee Code Annotated to establish a state foster care and adoption review board. The primary objective of this board is to provide oversight for the Department of Children's Services pilot program and to address key issues within the foster care and adoption systems. The bill outlines the structure, membership, and functions of the board, ensuring a diverse representation of stakeholders involved in the foster care and adoption sectors.
Contention
While the bill aims to improve oversight and effectiveness within the state's foster care and adoption framework, potential points of contention may arise concerning the board's authority and its ability to implement changes within the Department of Children's Services. Stakeholders may express differing views on whether the board will positively impact administrative processes or on concerns regarding its operational independence from the department it oversees. Additionally, as the board will be responsible for reviewing pilot programs, questions about the nature of accountability and transparency in its operations are likely to be raised.
Crossfiled
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4 and Title 36, relative to the creation of the state foster care and adoption review board.