SB 2167

Present law establishes the statewide planning and policy council ("council"") for the department of disability and aging (""department"") to assist in planning a comprehensive array of high-quality prevention, early intervention, treatment, and habilitatio n services and supports and to advise the department on policy, budget requests, and developing and evaluating services and supports. The council must be composed of no less than 11 members, not including ex officio members, including a chair appointed b y the governor, one legislator appointed by the speaker of the senate, and one legislator appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives. Present law provides that the commissioner serves ex officio as secretary, the governor is an ex officio mem ber and may appoint representatives of state agencies as ex officio members, and the appointing authorities include the governor and the commissioner. This bill adds the director of long-term care services for the bureau of TennCare (""director""), or the director ' s designee, as a member of the council, and requires the director to appoint one person to the council from the bureau of TennCare ' s contracte d managed care organizations. COUNCIL DUTIES Present law requires the council to advise the commissioner of disability and aging (""commissioner"") on the needs of persons supported, the development of services and supports, and budget appropriations for the department's programs. This bill requires the council to also advise the department and the bureau of TennCare on policy, budget requests, and the development and evaluation of services and supports. This bill further requires the council to advise the commissioner and the director of TennCare regarding the needs of persons supported, the development of services and supports, and budget appropriations for the implementation of TennCare waivers and th e department's programs. ANNUAL REPORT Present law requires the council, in conjunction with the commissioner, to report annually to the governor on the service systems, including programs, services, supports, and facilities of the department, and authorizes the council to furnish copies to t he general assembly with recommendations for legislation. Present law requires the commissioner to make the report available to the public. This bill requires the annual report to address the service systems, including programs, services, supports, and facilities of both the department and the bureau of TennCare, and requires the commissioner and the director to make the report available to the public, including on the internet and by other appropriate methods. ON MARCH 2, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2167, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 c larifies that the director of long-term care services for the bureau of TennCare will be required to appoint one person to the statewide planning and policy council from each of the bureau of TennCare's contracted managed care organizations."