Health, Dept. of - As enacted, authorizes the department to establish and administer an early childhood mental health home visiting program as a voluntary, evidence-based and home-based intervention to promote the mental health, developmental progress, and family stability of children from birth to five years of age and their families. - Amends TCA Title 33 and Title 68, Chapter 1.

SB 2153 would authorize Tennessee’s Department of Health to create a voluntary home visiting program for children aged birth to five and their families. The program provides evidence-based, home-based support through licensed clinicians to improve child mental health, reduce abuse/neglect risks, and strengthen family stability for families facing stressors like poverty or trauma. It requires care coordination to connect families with medical, housing, and social services, and mandates contracting with qualified nonprofit providers trained in trauma-informed practices. The bill also requires annual reports to the legislature tracking families served, outcomes, and funding sources, with implementation pending committee action.