Children's Services, Dept. of - As introduced, changes the caseload requirement for case managers in the department from a monthly average of 20 active cases or 20 children monitored to a cap of no more than 12 active cases involving no more than 12 families or 20 children monitored; requires the department to resolve each active case within 12 months and a status review hearing to be held if the case is not resolved within 12 months. - Amends TCA Section 37-5-132.

HB 1939 (amending TCA Section 37-5-132) changes Tennessee's child welfare caseload rules by limiting case managers to no more than 12 active cases involving 12 families (for initial investigations) or 20 monitored children (for ongoing services). It requires the Department of Children's Services to resolve each active case within 12 months, and if unresolved, mandates a juvenile court hearing to set specific resolution steps. This directly affects child welfare case managers, families involved in ongoing cases, and juvenile courts handling unresolved cases. The bill takes effect July 1, 2026.