SB 2225

Present law requires the department of children's services ("department"") to coordinate the services of child protective teams and requires at least one child protective team be organized in each county. The child protective team must be convened when t he department receives a report of child sexual abuse or severe child abuse, and is tasked with conducting child protective investigations of reported child sexual abuse and severe child abuse and to support and provide necessary services to abused childr en upon referral. This bill requires a child protective team to include a representative from one non-governmental agency specialized in combatting the commercial sexual exploitation of minors, in all cases involving an allegation that a child is a victim of a human traff icking offense. Additionally, all child protective team members must complete 15 hours of training related to severe child abuse and child sexual abuse, provided by the department. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS Present law requires the department or a child protective team to determine whether an initial report of abuse was indicated or unfounded and report such findings to the department's abuse registry within 60 days of the initial report. This bill extends that time to 90 days, except for investigations concerning a child fatality. For investigations concerning a child fatality, this bill requires the department or child protective team to determine whether the reported abuse was indicated or unfounded and to report findings to the department's abuse registry within 180 days of the initial report. However, if all necessary investigative tasks cannot be completed in 180 days, then the commissioner of children's services, may authorize one extension of the investigation, for good cause, for up to 180 additional days. ON MARCH 2, 2026, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2225, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 makes a technical correction to the bill. ON MARCH 30, 2026, THE HOUSE SUBSTITUTED SENATE BILL 2225 FOR HOUSE BILL 2527, ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2225, AS AMENDED. AMENDMENT #1 requires the department of children's services to develop the 15 hours of training required by the bill in consultation with the administrative office of the courts, the state chapter of the child advocacy centers, the Tennessee district att orneys general conference, the Tennessee Sheriffs' Association, and the Tennessee Association of Chiefs of Police. ON APRIL 2, 2026, THE SENATE CONCURRED IN HOUSE AMENDMENT #1."