Subcommittee backs task force to track conservatorships after concerns about statewide oversight

The Children and Families Subcommittee on March 18 approved House Bill 6 34 to create a conservatorship management task force aimed at improving oversight of conservatorships statewide.

Representative Clemons, sponsor of the bill, said the legislation would "create the conservatorship management task force to review the provision and direction of available resources to promote effective and successful conservatorships across the state of Tennessee." The task force would include nine members: five representing state agencies and four public members, the sponsor said.

Clemons cited available data in Davidson County: an office of conservatorship management provides oversight for "approximately 2,700 conservators, managing over a hundred and $23,000,000 in assets," and said similar statewide figures are unknown. Representative Harris and Representative Towns voiced support, citing past conservatorship abuses and the need for centralized tracking and fraud prevention. Clemons said the task force would be administratively attached to the Department of Aging and Disability.

Action and outcome: The committee voted to report HB 6 34 as amended to full Judiciary; the clerk recorded 6 ayes, 0 nos, 0 present not voting.

Why it matters: Sponsors said Tennessee lacks a statewide inventory of conservatorships and assets, limiting the state's ability to detect abuse. The task force would review education, potential independent conservator panels, monitoring capacity and fraud detection tools.

Next steps: HB 6 34 advances to the full Judiciary Committee for consideration.