SB 654 - HB 717
FISCAL NOTE
Fiscal Review Committee
Tennessee General Assembly
February 28, 2025
Fiscal Analyst: Chris Higgins | Email: chris.higgins@capitol.tn.gov | Phone: 615-741-2564
SB 654 - HB 717
SUMMARY OF BILL: Enacts the Caring for Caregivers Act. Requires the Department of
Disability and Aging (DDA) to establish and administer a pilot program to provide grants to family
caregivers of eligible family members with Alzheimer's disease or related dementia. Requires the
pilot program to be operated from July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2028.
Creates the Family Caregiver Grant Fund (Fund), composed of funds appropriated by the General
Assembly and gifts, grants, and other donations received by DDA. Requires grants to be awarded to
applicants on a first-come, first-served basis limited to the amount of $6,000 per family caregiver per
fiscal year. Establishes that, to be eligible for a grant, a family caregiver's annual adjusted income
from all sources must not exceed $37,000. Specifies that the legislative intent is an initial
appropriation of $600,000 in FY25-26.
Requires DDA to submit a report on or before October 1, 2026, and by October 1 of each
subsequent year, to the chair of the Health and Welfare Committee of the Senate and the chair of
the committee in the House of Representatives having jurisdiction over health-related matters on the
status of the program and on the funds received and payments made by the Fund.
FISCAL IMPACT:
STATE GOVERNMENT
REVENUE Family Caregiver Grant Fund
Each FY25-26 through FY28-29 $600,000
EXPENDITURES General Fund Family Caregiver Grant Fund
Each FY25-26 through FY28-29 $600,000 $600,000
Assumptions:
• According to the Alzheimer's Association's 2024 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures special
report, there were approximately 129,200 individuals age 65 or over with Alzheimer's
disease in Tennessee, as of 2020.
• In 2023, approximately 369,000 caregivers provided support for those with Alzheimer's or
other dementias in Tennessee, resulting in an estimated value of $7,804,000,000 in unpaid
care.
• The proposed legislation establishes the intent that an initial appropriation of $600,000 be
made in FY25-26 for awarding grants from the Fund.
SB 654 - HB 717 2
• It is assumed that 100 eligible caregivers will receive a $6,000 grant each year, resulting in an
increase in expenditures of $600,000 (100 x $6,000) from the Fund in FY25-26 through
FY28-29.
• The DDA can award grants and submit the required reports utilizing existing personnel and
resources, without a significant increase in expenditures.
CERTIFICATION:
The information contained herein is true and correct to the best of my knowledge.
Bojan Savic, Executive Director