Current through Acts 2023-2024, ch. 1069
Section 9-4-214 - Victims of human trafficking fund(a) There is created a fund within the state treasury, to be known as the "victims of human trafficking fund." The fund consists of grants, appropriations by the general assembly, and any federal funds, to the extent permitted by federal law and regulation. Moneys deposited in the fund must be invested for the benefit of the fund pursuant to § 9-4-603. Moneys in the fund must not revert to the general fund, but must remain available to be used by the department of finance and administration's office of criminal justice programs exclusively for the purpose specified in subsection (b). The commissioner of the department of finance and administration has the authority to promulgate rules in accordance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5, in order to ensure the funds are received and expended for the purposes consistent with subsection (b).(b) The purpose of the victims of human trafficking fund is to provide specialized comprehensive treatment and support services to the victims of human trafficking offenses, as defined in § 39-13-314. Specialized comprehensive treatment and support services for victims of human trafficking include, but are not limited to, medical care, mental health and substance abuse care, nutritional counseling, safe housing, job training, transportation, and other basic human needs. The department of finance and administration's office of criminal justice programs shall distribute moneys in the fund in the form of grants to agencies that provide specialized comprehensive treatment and support services for the victims of human trafficking. It is the legislative intent that priority for funding be directed to the single point of contact agencies in this state recognized by the Tennessee bureau of investigation and the department of children's services.Added by 2019 Tenn. Acts, ch. 356,s 1, eff. 7/1/2019.