Tennessee Code Title 33. Mental Health and Substance Abuse and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities § 33-1-204

(a) This title shall not create entitlement to services and supports from the state except to the extent that services and supports are necessarily attached to deprivation of liberty by placement in facilities operated by the department. Implementation of any service or support at state expense under this title is subject to the availability of funds appropriated for that purpose in the general appropriations act.

(b) While the department of intellectual and developmental disabilities is charged with the planning and development of services for persons with developmental disabilities, such services shall be subject to the availability of funding, and to approval of any waiver amendments which would be required to effectuate such new programs at such time that they are developed. The reassignment of responsibility for developmental disabilities services to the department of intellectual and developmental disabilities does not create an entitlement to services for persons with developmental disabilities. Nor does it expand or affect in any way the population of persons who are currently eligible for programs and services currently available to persons with mental retardation.