Tenn. Code Ann. § 33-7-104: Admissions to a state-owned or operated facility

Notwithstanding any other law to the contrary, all admissions or transfers to a state-owned or operated hospital or treatment resource under this chapter shall be subject to available suitable accommodations as defined in § 33-1-101 , and no admission to a state-owned or operated hospital or treatment resource under this chapter shall occur until the commissioner has designated the state owned or operated facility as having available suitable accommodations; provided, that, if there are no suitable available accommodations at the time of the determination, then the commissioner shall expeditiously find a state-owned or operated hospital or treatment resource to accommodate the person upon the availability of suitable available accommodations. Prior to transporting a defendant for such evaluation and treatment in a department facility, the sheriff or other transportation agent shall determine that the receiving facility has available suitable accommodations.