Purpose And Authority

(1) T.C.A. § 39-13-530 requires the Commissioner of Finance and Administration to promulgate rules and regulations for the distribution of money appropriated from the child abuse fund created by forfeitures under the statute. (2) T.C.A. § 39-13-530 provides that fifty percent (50%) of the money from the child abuse fund be used for child advocacy centers. The statute requires the Department of Finance and Administration to provide grants to child advocacy centers that are not-for-profit corporations, are tax-exempt under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, and have provided child advocacy services for at least six (6) months prior to an application for funds. (3) T.C.A. § 39-13-530 requires that twenty five percent (25%) of the money from the child abuse fund be used by the Department of Finance and Administration for the court appointed special advocate (CASA) fund. The statute requires the Department of Finance and Administration to provide grants to CASA programs that are not-for-profit corporations, are tax-exempt under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, and have provided CASA services for at least six (6) months prior to an application for funds. (4) T.C.A. § 39-13-530 requires that the twenty five percent (25%) of the money from the child abuse fund be used by the Department of Finance and Administration for the child abuse prevention fund, which shall be used to provide a grant to Prevent Child Abuse Tennessee, provided that it be a not-for-profit corporation, be tax-exempt under Section 501 of the Internal Revenue Code, and have provided child abuse prevention services for at least six (6) months prior to an application for funds. (5) The purpose of these rules is to provide procedures for the grant of these funds in an efficient, fair, and consistent manner.