Tennessee Code Title 36. Domestic Relations § 36-5-802

(1)(A) The department of human services shall have the authority to issue an administrative order by the commissioner, authorized representative of the commissioner or the department's contractor directed to one (1) or more persons to order the genetic testing of the child, the mother and the putative father or fathers for the purpose of paternity establishment without the necessity of filing a paternity action;

(B) If the department orders such tests, it shall pay the costs of such tests and may recoup such costs from the putative father upon establishment of the putative father's paternity of the child in question or upon establishment of an order of support of the child for whom paternity has been established;