Amends TCA Title 4; Title 37; Title 39; Title 40 and Title 71.

This bill requires the department of children's services and the department of human services to work together with private, nonprofit community partners for the purpose of enhancing a continuum of care and to establish a network of resource centers to provide information, assistance, services, and supports to persons from 18 to 24 years of age who are victims of child sex trafficking.<br /> <br /> This bill requires the resource centers to provide or facilitate assistance to victims of child sex trafficking necessary to:<br /> <br /> (1) Deal with the challenges and barriers associated with the transition into adulthood and early adult years;<br /> <br /> (2) Support postsecondary education, vocational training, and job skills development;<br /> <br /> (3) Coordinate delivery of services and information concerning employment, housing, transportation, parenting and family support, health care and mental health care, legal services, and victim's compensation funds; and<br /> <br /> (4) Navigate systems and procedures that impact the person's education, employment, health and mental welfare, and basic needs.<br /> <br /> This bill specifies that the resource centers must be supported in part by the department of children's services and the department of human services. The department of children's services and the department of human services are authorized and encouraged to share staff with the resource centers.<br /> <br /> This bill specifies that continuous contact with the resource centers, the department of children's services, or the department of human services is not required in order to be eligible to receive services from the resource centers.<br /> <br /> ON APRIL 14, 2022, THE SENATE ADOPTED AMENDMENT #1 AND PASSED SENATE BILL 2739, AS AMENDED.<br /> <br /> AMENDMENT #1 rewrites the bill to require the department of children's services and the department of human services to collaborate to provide recommendations to the general assembly on resources and services specific to persons from 18 to 24 years of age who have been victims of child sex trafficking. Recommendations must be submitted to the judiciary committee of the senate and civil justice committee of the house by March 1, 2023.<br />