Tennessee House Bill HB1965

Tennessee 2025-2026 Regular Session

• Introduced: 1/22/26
• Refer: 2/4/26
• Refer: 2/11/26
• Refer: 3/23/26
• Chaptered: 4/27/26
• Passed: 4/27/26

Caption

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 29 and Title 71, Chapter 3, relative to child care.

Impact

The bill establishes a clear framework that defines the roles of employers and host entities in the context of child care. It allows entities that permit licensed child care providers to operate on their premises to avoid liability unless gross negligence or willful misconduct can be proven. This change could potentially increase the availability of child care services, as more employers might consider subsidizing or hosting these providers knowing they have legal protections in place. The act is poised to take effect on July 1, 2026, suggesting a forward-looking approach to supporting child care in Tennessee.

Summary

House Bill 1965, titled the 'Tennessee Child Care Hosting Safe Harbor Act,' amends the Tennessee Code Annotated, specifically targeting child care regulations. This legislation aims to provide a layer of protection for employers and host entities who facilitate child care services on their premises, ensuring they are not held liable for damages resulting from the actions of licensed child care providers. The intent is to encourage businesses and organizations to support child care options without facing legal repercussions related to the providers’ operations on their property.

Contention

While the bill aims to foster child care access and ease burdens on employers, it may also raise concerns regarding accountability. Critics might argue that the liability protection provided to employers and host entities could diminish the incentive for those entities to ensure the quality and safety of the child care providers they host. Additionally, some may fear that the bill does not do enough to hold child care providers accountable for their services, which could lead to disparities in care quality across the state.