Tennessee Code Title 33. Mental Health and Substance Abuse and Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities § 33-2-301

(a) The department shall set basic quality standards for services and supports to all persons served on the basis of mental illness, serious emotional disturbance, or developmental disabilities regardless of whether they are served by the department, the department's contractors, private service providers, other state or local public agencies, agencies licensed by the department, or private service providers that are not licensed under this title and regardless of whether the service recipients are in the custody of state or local government.

(b) Basic quality standards shall be the same for all service recipients regardless of where they are served and by whom they are served. Basic quality standards may vary according to the ages of the service recipients to assure appropriate service for children, adults, and the elderly.