2010 Tennessee Code
Title 37 - Juveniles
Chapter 1 - Juvenile Courts and Proceedings
Part 1 - General Provisions
37-1-161 - Reimbursement account.

37-1-161. Reimbursement account.

(a)  There is hereby established a reimbursement account, which shall be composed of such amount of state funds as are allocated by the commission on children and youth from the fund appropriated for county supplements in § 37-1-162 and an allocation of federal funds, if any, provided under the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act formula grant funds. The reimbursement account shall be used to provide financial assistance to counties for removing children from adult jails.

(b)  (1)  A child who meets the criteria of § 37-1-114(c) for placement in a secure facility and who is taken into custody in a county that does not operate a secure juvenile detention facility may, with the approval of the juvenile court having jurisdiction in the matter, receive alternative services provided through the reimbursement account.

     (2)  A child who meets the criteria of § 37-1-114(c) for placement in a secure facility and who is taken into custody in a county that has established a secure juvenile detention facility since the passage of legislation effective May 26, 1983, that prohibits the placement of children in adult jails may, with the approval of the juvenile court having jurisdiction in the matter, receive nonsecure alternative services provided through the reimbursement account.

(c)  The commission on children and youth shall promulgate regulations in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, for the administration of the reimbursement account. The regulations shall include, but not be limited to, the following factors:

     (1)  Reporting requirements;

     (2)  A maximum amount of payment per day;

     (3)  Maximum length of stay;

     (4)  Qualifications of service providers; and

     (5)  Allowable services, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following items:

          (A)  Transportation;

          (B)  Secure detention;

          (C)  Emergency shelter care;

          (D)  Emergency foster care; and

          (E)  Attendant care.

(d)  The juvenile court having jurisdiction in the matter shall make a determination concerning the ability of a child's parent or guardian to pay for all or part of the services eligible for reimbursement account payment. If the parent or guardian is able to pay for all or part of such services, the court shall require such payment from the parent or guardian.

[Acts 1984, ch. 856, § 1; 1986, ch. 837, §§ 3, 4; 1988, ch. 979, § 5.]