2023 Tennessee Code › Title 71 - WELFARE (§§ 71-1-101 — 71-7-103) › Chapter 3 - PROGRAMS AND SERVICES FOR CHILDREN (§§ 71-3-101 — 71-3-1206) › Part 1 - TEMPORARY ASSISTANCE (§§ 71-3-101 — 71-3-126) › Section 71-3-108 - Modifications to program - Federal waivers

(a)
The commissioner of human services is authorized, pursuant to the requirements of subsections (b) and (c), to immediately implement changes necessary as a result of federal legislation designed to reform welfare programs that are, or may be in the future, administered by the department of human services or other appropriate state agencies.
(b)
It is the intent of the general assembly that any modifications to the state's welfare programs be implemented that are required by federal law or that are necessary to ensure or enhance federal funding of the state's welfare programs or that are necessary for the implementation of such changes. Acting in accordance with §
4-5-108
, the department shall have authority to immediately implement any federal legislative changes by emergency rules; provided, that permanent rules shall be promulgated pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
(c)
For purposes of this section, "welfare program" is defined as any federal or state means-tested program administered by the department of human services, or any child support enforcement program administered by the department of human services pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act (
42 U.S.C. § 651
et seq.), the Carl D. Perkins Vocational and Applied Technology Act authorized by P.L. 101-392 [repealed], and the Adult Education Act, authorized by P.L. 100-297 [repealed], as amended by the National Literacy Act of 1991, P.L. 102-73 [repealed].
(d)
(1)
The commissioner of human services is authorized to seek and to implement waivers to carry out this part and chapter 5, part 12 of this title to the extent permitted by federal authorities.
(2)
(A)
If waivers that are necessary to implement any or all of the provisions of this part, chapter 3, parts 9 and 10 and chapter 5, part 12 of this title cannot be obtained, or in those counties for which the continued operation of the existing welfare program may be required by the federal authorities for the evaluation of any waivers granted by the federal government, the department shall continue to administer, pursuant to the requirements of federal statutes and regulations, the federally funded programs of economic or welfare assistance to families and children under Titles IV-A and IV-D of the Social Security Act (
42 U.S.C. § 601
et seq. and
42 U.S.C. § 651
et seq.), respectively, as they may continue to exist on or after September 1, 1996, until such time as such programs may be terminated or modified by the congress of the United States, the United States department of health and human services or its successor, or the general assembly.
(B)
(i)
If at any time:
(a)
The congress of the United States terminates or modifies the Title IV-A block grant program for federally funded economic or welfare assistance to families and children to the states under the temporary assistance to needy families program (TANF) as provided in Public Law 104-193 (1996) (
42 U.S.C. § 601
et seq.), as amended;
(b)
The congress of the United States, or the United States department of health and human services or its successor terminates, or modifies, Tennessee's Section 1115 waiver obtained pursuant to subdivision (d)(1) on July 26, 1996, that resulted in the creation of the families first program; or
(c)
In the future, action by congress, or by the United States department of health and human services or its successor, terminates or modifies any subsequent federally funded economic or welfare assistance program or any waiver that may be obtained for the operation of such a program for families and children, or a waiver that may be obtained for a welfare program demonstration project;
(ii)
Then, in that circumstance, the department shall continue to administer, pursuant to the requirements of federal statutes and regulations existing at that time or subsequently enacted, the programs of economic or welfare assistance to families and children under Titles IV-A and IV-D of the Social Security Act (
42 U.S.C. § 601
et seq. and
42 U.S.C. § 651
et seq.), respectively, as they may continue to exist on or after the date of such termination or modification or until the granting of a new waiver, and this part, chapter 3, parts 9 and 10 and chapter 5, part 12 of this title shall be superseded to the extent:
(a)
Those provisions are inconsistent with any federal requirements for which no waiver exists; or
(b)
No further federal funding is available, unless the general assembly specifically authorizes and funds the continuation of such provisions that do not otherwise conflict with federal law, regulation or waiver requirements.
(C)
The termination or modification of any federally funded programs for the economic assistance to families and children shall not result in any entitlement to funding by the state of Tennessee for such programs pursuant to this part, chapter 3, parts, 9 and 10 and chapter 5, part 12 of this title, or otherwise, unless appropriations are made in the appropriations act specifically for such purpose.
(D)
Notwithstanding any law to the contrary, the department shall have authority to implement any rules, by emergency rule, that are necessary to:
(i)
Maintain compliance with such terminations or modifications;
(ii)
Maintain federal funding;
(iii)
Comply with any federal regulation that has not been waived; or
(iv)
Comply with any waiver requirements;
provided, however, that the department shall promulgate permanent rules pursuant to a rulemaking hearing as required by the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.
(e)
Child support received by the department with respect to recipients of temporary assistance shall be passed on to the recipient in the same manner as was the practice of the department prior to July 1, 1996, with respect to recipients of aid to families with dependent children (AFDC). However, the department shall not be required to pass through any portion of child support that by federal law must be paid to the federal government. The department shall seek any available waiver from a requirement that any portion of child support must be paid to the federal government, and, if a waiver is granted, pass the support through to the recipient of temporary assistance as required in this subsection (e).
Acts 1996, ch. 950, § 9; 2003 , ch. 119, § 1; 2009 , ch. 566, § 12; T.C.A., § 71-3-158.