Tennessee Senate Bill SJR0848

Tennessee 2023-2024 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/24
• Engrossed: 3/4/24
• Refer: 3/7/24
• Refer: 3/26/24
• Refer: 4/3/24
• Refer: 4/23/24
• Enrolled: 4/30/24
• Passed: 5/13/24

Caption

A RESOLUTION relative to the development of a comprehensive statewide Paid Family Caregiving Policy and Program.

Impact

The bill aims to address a critical workforce crisis in Tennessee where recruitment and retention of professional caregivers are challenging. The resolution discusses the need for state support for family caregivers, who serve around 930,000 Tennesseans and provide nearly 870 million hours of care annually. This support could alleviate the caregiving crisis and potentially reduce costs associated with institutional care by fostering caregiving at home, which is often a preferred option for families.

Summary

SJR0848 is a Senate Joint Resolution focusing on the development of a comprehensive statewide Paid Family Caregiving Policy and Program in Tennessee. The resolution highlights the significance of family caregivers, acknowledging over one million Tennesseans requiring caregiving assistance and emphasizing the projected increase in the elderly population and those with disabilities needing care. It calls for a policy that supports informal caregivers who provide a vast amount of care, significantly contributing to the overall caregiving landscape in the state.

Contention

A notable point of contention is the lack of formal funding and programs for family caregivers in Tennessee, which currently ranks poorly in terms of support for such essential roles. The resolutions' advocates believe that a structured policy would not only improve the lives of caregivers but also enhance the quality of care for those being served. However, the challenges of implementing such a program effectively and ensuring adequate funding could lead to debates among legislators regarding state priorities and resource allocation.