Committee backs plan to pursue funding for West Tennessee juvenile detention beds

Senate Bill 374, sponsored by Sen. Rose, was amended in committee and the Judiciary Committee voted to send the measure to the Finance Committee to pursue financing for a West Tennessee pre-adjudication juvenile placement facility.

Sen. Rose said judges and juvenile judges in West Tennessee have reported a shortage of placements for juveniles awaiting adjudication; the bill directs planning toward a West Tennessee juvenile detention facility that would house juveniles who cannot safely remain at home until adjudication. The sponsor and supporters said existing statewide needs were reflected in a Fiscal Review estimate of $283 million; Rose and others argued Shelby County had already addressed its need and that a $68 million fiscal plan focused on West Tennessee would cover the local requirement.

The amendment placed on the bill narrowed scope and enabled a finance-pathway; Rose asked the committee to pass the bill to finance so a funding package could be developed before the next budget cycle. He said counties and local law enforcement agencies had expressed willingness to participate.

Committee members asked whether a separate statewide study (TASER/TCAC study) should be awaited; the sponsor and others said local needs in West Tennessee were already documented and backlog in statewide studies would delay relief. Committee discussion also covered bed counts: the sponsor said $68 million would cover approximately 32 beds for West Tennessee, while fiscal review had estimated a larger statewide need of roughly 132 additional beds.

After discussion, the committee approved the amended bill and sent it to the Finance Committee. Roll call showed seven ayes and two present, not voting.

Votes and outcome: SB 374 was passed out of Judiciary and sent to Finance.

What this means: The passage to Finance does not appropriate construction funds; it authorizes pursuit of a financing plan and moves the measure into the budgeting process.