(a) A person or entity requested to provide access to data pursuant to §§ 71-5-2513 – 71-5-2521 may object to providing all or part of such access by filing a written petition with the inspector general within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice of the request to which objection is made. The petition shall be treated as a contested case pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act, compiled in title 4, chapter 5.
Terms Used In Tennessee Code 71-5-2519
Inspector general: means the person who directs the office of inspector general, who shall report directly to the commissioner of finance and administration. See Tennessee Code 71-5-2503
Person: includes a corporation, firm, company or association. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
Recipient: means any person who has been determined eligible to receive benefits under part 1 of this chapter, and who has received such benefits. See Tennessee Code 71-5-2503
Reporter: Makes a record of court proceedings and prepares a transcript, and also publishes the court's opinions or decisions (in the courts of appeals).
State: when applied to the different parts of the United States, includes the District of Columbia and the several territories of the United States. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
written: includes printing, typewriting, engraving, lithography, and any other mode of representing words and letters. See Tennessee Code 1-3-105
(b)(1) In the event a person or entity requested to provide data pursuant to §§ 71-5-2513 – 71-5-2521 fails to do so or to file a timely petition objecting to provision of the data, the office of inspector general has the authority to petition the chancery court of Davidson County through the attorney general and reporter, or by special appointment or delegation from the attorney general and reporter as provided by law, for enforcement of the obligations imposed by this chapter, and for recovery of costs, attorney’s fees, and any applicable civil penalties.(2) Upon filing of a petition for enforcement by the inspector general, the court shall order the person or entity named in the petition to show cause why they should not be held in contempt for failure to comply with the request.(3) In ruling on the petition, the court shall be authorized to:
(A) Order the person or entity, on pain of contempt, to comply with the request, and to punish each day of failure to comply with the order as a separate contempt of court; and(B) Award to the attorney general and reporter and, if applicable, the office of inspector general, reasonable costs and attorney’s fees incurred in enforcing the requirement, if the state prevails.(c)(1) Willful failure to provide data, or access to data, as required by this chapter, shall be subject to the same civil penalty established by law for willful failure to report recipientfraud to the inspector general.(2) A person or entity that has been assessed a civil penalty by the office of inspector general may object to the penalty by filing a written petition with the inspector general within thirty (30) days of receipt of notice of the assessment. The petition shall be treated as a contested case pursuant to the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act.(3) In the event that a person or entity that has been assessed a civil penalty by the office of inspector general has failed to pay the penalty or file a timely objection, the office of inspector general has the authority to file a petition in the chancery court of Davidson County through the attorney general and reporter, or by delegation from the attorney general and reporter as provided by law, for the collection of the penalty, and for enforcement of the request to provide access to data.
