2023 Tennessee Code › Title 71 - WELFARE (§§ 71-1-101 — 71-7-103) › Chapter 5 - PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR POOR PERSONS (§§ 71-5-NEW — 71-5-2604) › Part 12 - FAMILIES FIRST COUNCILS (§§ 71-5-1201 — 71-5-1204) › Section 71-5-1204 - Unexpended and reserve of funds from the temporary assistance for needy families (TANF)

(a)
The department shall, at the beginning of federal fiscal year 2022, ensure that a rainy-day fund in an amount not to exceed the TANF annual federal award of the existing reserve of federal TANF funds remain unobligated in order to address unforeseen future economic needs, including those resulting from an emergency that has been declared in the state or an economic downturn having statewide impact.
(b)
The department shall seek to replenish funds used from the TANF rainy-day reserve fund in the following fiscal year or as soon as the funds are available.
(c)
If the amendment to the existing TennCare II waiver authorizing the bureau of TennCare to create reasonable work and community engagement requirements for able-bodied working-age adult enrollees without dependent children under six (6) years of age as provided under §
71-5-158
is approved by the federal centers for medicare and medicaid services, then the department is authorized to set aside fifty-four million dollars ($54,000,000), subject to appropriations in the general appropriations act, in TANF funds to address this expenditure.
(d)
(1)
In the eighteen-month period following the end of each federal fiscal year, the department must spend or obligate one hundred percent (100%) of unobligated TANF funds that are not allocated to the department's administrative overhead costs; that are not part of the reserve as described in subsection (a); that are not dedicated to the Tennessee opportunity pilot program pursuant to §
71-5-1203
; that are not used for the department's cash assistance program; and that are not used on a program or service deemed necessary by the department.
(2)
Expenditures described in subdivision (d)(1) must be made to eligible nonprofit organizations, other qualified entities, or other federally approved state program to provide services to families and individuals eligible for the TANF program and in furtherance of the four (4) purposes of the TANF program. These services must be distributed, to the extent possible, across this state's ninety-five (95) counties in proportion to each county's percentage share of Tennessee children living in households with incomes at or below the federal poverty level as confirmed by the comptroller of the treasury.
(e)
Beginning in the quarter following the end of federal fiscal year 2021, the department shall notify the public of the amount of funds available to be allocated statewide and request and accept proposals from eligible nonprofit organizations and other qualified entities to provide evidence-based and evidence-informed programs and services to individuals and families who are eligible to receive funds from the TANF program pursuant to subsection (a).
Amended by 2023 Tenn. Acts, ch. 51, s 5, eff. 3/21/2023.
Amended by 2021 Tenn. Acts, ch. 515, s 4, eff. 7/1/2021.
Acts 1996, ch. 950, § 27; 1999, ch. 520, § 47.