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SB 1622

Children's Services, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the commissioner to develop and implement a statewide, outcomes-based, county-level quality assurance program no later than July 1, 2027; directs the commissioner to send reports to the general assembly detailing the department's progress toward implementing the program at the end of each fiscal year quarter until the program is fully implemented. - Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 5.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Page Walley

Tennessee must create a county-level, outcomes-based quality assurance program for child welfare services by July 2027 with quarterly progress reports to legislators.

Signed by Senate Speaker
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Bill Summary · SB 1622

Legislative bill overview

SB 1622 mandates that Tennessee's Department of Children's Services establish a statewide quality assurance program based on measurable outcomes at the county level by July 1, 2027. The bill requires quarterly progress reports to the general assembly documenting implementation efforts until the program is fully operational.

Why is this important

Quality assurance programs in child welfare services directly affect outcomes for vulnerable children in state custody, including safety, permanency, and well-being measures. Standardized, outcomes-based metrics across counties can identify systemic gaps, improve service delivery consistency, and create accountability mechanisms for how tax dollars are spent on child protection services.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation timeline and costs: Developing a statewide system by July 2027 may be ambitious; costs for infrastructure, staff training, and data systems are not specified in the bill summary
  • County-level autonomy vs. standardization: Counties may resist one-size-fits-all metrics that don't account for regional differences in population density, resources, and demographics
  • Data collection burden: Quarterly reporting requirements could add administrative workload to an already resource-constrained department, potentially diverting attention from direct services

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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