Tenn. Code Ann. § 40-35-320 (2026)

• (a) Whenever an adult defendant is convicted of an offense arising from the same criminal act or conduct or a related criminal act or conduct that resulted in an adjudication of delinquency against a juvenile and resulted in the treatment and confinement of the juvenile in a department of correction facility for a period that is anticipated to be in excess of ninety (90) days, the sentencing court may order the adult defendant to make restitution to the state in an amount not greater than sixteen thousand five hundred fifty-eight dollars ($16,558) or an amount at least equal to the average daily cost of treating and confining a juvenile in this state multiplied by the average length of time a juvenile in this state is treated and confined by the department, whichever figure is greater. The average daily cost and average stay in the department shall be determined on an annual basis by the commissioner. If it is anticipated that the period of treatment and confinement will be less than ninety (90) days or that the juvenile may receive an alternative form of treatment, including, but not limited to, probation, the sentencing court may order the adult defendant to make restitution to the state in an amount at least equal to the anticipated cost of classifying, treating, confining or supervising the juvenile for the period of time the juvenile is anticipated to be within the custody and control of the department. If the court finds that because of the adult defendant's conduct, the juvenile's period of treatment and rehabilitation will be substantially longer than the average or will require special services such as drug or alcohol rehabilitation, the judge may order the adult defendant to make restitution in an amount not to exceed the estimated cost of providing the necessary treatment and rehabilitation services for the juvenile for the period of time that the services will be required. The estimated costs shall be based upon evidence presented at the sentencing hearing concerning the disposition of the juvenile, the anticipated length of the juvenile's rehabilitation and any special treatment services the juvenile may require.

• (b) Before determining whether an order of restitution as authorized by this section is appropriate and the amount of the order if one is appropriate, the sentencing court shall conduct a separate hearing on the issues at which both the adult defendant and the state shall be allowed to be heard and present evidence. The hearing may be held in conjunction with or at the same time as the adult defendant's regular sentencing hearing.

• (c) Any order of restitution entered pursuant to this section is in addition to any other fine or penalty imposed by the court for the offense for which the adult defendant was convicted.

• (d) Restitution ordered pursuant to this section shall be paid to the clerk of the sentencing court who shall remit the money to the state treasurer for deposit into the state general fund. Funds collected pursuant to this section shall be used to improve the department of children's services' treatment and rehabilitation services. The clerk is allowed to retain one percent (1%) of all funds collected pursuant to this section for administrative costs.

• (e) The state may collect a restitution order entered pursuant to this section in the same manner as a judgment in a civil action.

Acts 1989, ch. 591, § 6.