Children's Services, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the department to conserve any federal funds a child in the department's care is eligible for or may receive for the child's reasonable, foreseeable future needs or use for special needs services not currently being provided by the department. - Amends TCA Title 36 and Title 37.

SB 312 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services to conserve federal funds (like Social Security benefits) a child in state care is eligible for, using them for the child's future needs or special services not already provided. The department must hold these funds in specific accounts (such as 529 plans or special needs trusts) and maintain records accessible to the child at 18. It prohibits using these funds to cover general care costs for the child and mandates that fund usage complies with federal benefit eligibility rules. The bill directly affects children in state custody and their access to federally funded support.