State Senator Wants Changes in DHS

State Sen. Jim Tracy of Shelbyville has filed legislation aimed at correcting what he says are serious problems within the Tennessee Department of Human Services (DHS). The bill would, among other things, force DHS to justify its continued existence to the legislature between now and July 2017.
Comptroller audits and investigations have identified financial mismanagement and fraud within some of the federal food programs managed by DHS. Tracy said many of the problems are the result of DHS’ ineffective monitoring of third-party agencies that receive taxpayer money to feed children and adults.
Senate Bill 1472 will require DHS to file monthly reports to certain legislative committees, the state comptroller’s office and the speakers of both chambers on a variety of issues, including its monitoring activities and internal audit functions.
An independent hotline will also be set up within DHS to allow employees to report internal misconduct. DHS will be prohibited from terminating any employee without providing a written explanation to the Tennessee General Assembly. (Shelbyville Times-Gazette)