Children's Services, Dept. of - As introduced, requires that a reimbursement payment to a child advocacy center be completed within 30 days of receipt of a request for reimbursement; requires payment of a 10 percent late payment fee for failing to make a timely reimbursement to a child advocacy center; requires the department to submit to the general assembly an annual report on the timeliness of reimbursement payments to child advocacy centers. - Amends TCA Title 9 and Title 37.

HB 46 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services to pay child advocacy centers within 30 days of receiving their reimbursement requests, with a 10% late fee added if payments are delayed. It directly affects child advocacy centers that receive state funding by ensuring timely payments and providing financial recourse for delays. The bill also mandates an annual report starting in 2026, tracking how often payments missed the 30-day deadline and the total late fees paid. These changes aim to improve payment reliability for centers supporting child welfare services.