Committee increases state funding for child advocacy centers; bill receives budgeted funding

Senate Bill 4‑50, presented by Chairman Massey, would raise recurring state funding for accredited Child Advocacy Centers (CACs) across Tennessee. The sponsor and the committee explained that CAC contract funding has been essentially level‑funded since 1996; the bill updates the base amounts to reflect inflation and current service needs.

Witness testimony from Stephen Warner, executive director of the Children’s Advocacy Centers of Tennessee, explained that the bill increases the base funding for each CAC from $52,000 to $127,000 and raises forensic interview contract amounts from $35,000 to $85,000. The amendment before the committee also removes a prior linkage to Department of Children’s Services funding and instead establishes a 3% year‑over‑year increase after the base uplift, only if state revenue grows by at least 1% (an administration‑worked trigger). Warner told the committee the recurring fiscal note was approximately $4.25 million and that the amount was funded in the budget the committee considered.

Committee members asked clarifying questions about the number of centers (32 accredited CACs statewide), the basis for the $127,000 figure (indexing to 1996 contract values and inflation), and the annual 3% growth trigger tied to state revenue growth. The committee adopted finance amendment number 1 (drafting code 46‑74), then recommended the bill, as amended and funded, for passage to the committee on the calendar; the committee vote was recorded as 11 ayes.

Ending: With the finance amendment adopted and the fiscal note funded, CACs would receive the increased base and forensic interview funding if the bill becomes law.