All Roll Calls
Yes: 247 • No: 12
TennesseeHB 1979114th General Assembly (2025-2026)HouseWALLET
AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 4; Title 43; Title 49; Title 57; Title 67 and Title 71, relative to child care.
Sponsored By: Sponsor information unavailable
Signed by Governor
Human Services, Dept. of
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 4 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Free child care for eligible workers
The Child Care Workforce Scholarship Pilot provides free child care for eligible Tennessee child care workers, regardless of household income. Workers must hold direct-care, supervision, or education jobs at eligible providers and average at least 30 work hours weekly. They must also meet department requirements, and other available federal or state child care aid applies first. With funding available, the pilot must begin by January 1, 2027; the funding goal is $5 million per three-year period. Continuing or expanding the pilot after each three-year period requires available money and the governor’s approval. Outreach vendors must be hired by November 1, 2026, under performance-based contracts to recruit new workers and track retention. Evaluations track recruitment, scholarship access, three-year retention, geographic and provider reach, and outreach costs.
More child care help for working families
Smart Steps Plus creates sliding-scale child care scholarships for working families above existing child care assistance income limits. Families must have a child needing care and income no higher than 150% of state median income. This uses the latest Census estimate, adjusted for family size; other available federal or state child care aid applies first. The department sets eligibility rules, scholarship amounts, family copayments, and priorities. Operations can begin on or after January 1, 2027, with approved funding remaining after both pilots meet their funding goals. A publicly posted evaluation must report families served, participant incomes, average benefits, effectiveness, access barriers, and recommendations about the program’s future.
State matches employers’ child care help
CareShare Tennessee shares child care costs among participating employers, employees, and the state, after other applicable child care aid. Employers need approval, and employers, employees, and eligible providers all choose whether to join. The state can match up to 100% of employer contributions for households earning no more than 100% of state median income. That income measure uses the latest Census estimate and adjusts for family size. Through 150% of state median income, the match drops 10 percentage points for each 20-percentage-point income increase. Examples are 90% at 120% of median income and 80% at 140%; above 150%, the match is 50%. A single administrator checks eligibility, handles contributions and provider payments, and keeps waitlists when money runs short. Administrator hiring is due November 1, 2026; funded operations must begin by January 1, 2027. The funding goal is $5 million per three-year period; continuation or expansion requires available money and the governor’s approval. Evaluations track participation, contributions, providers, use, and payment accuracy and speed.
Dedicated funding for Tennessee child care
The law creates the Promising Futures Fund, managed by Tennessee’s Department of Human Services, beginning January 1, 2027. It accepts designated state revenue, lawmakers’ funding, federal funds, grants, gifts, donations, and other lawful deposits. Interest and unspent money stay in the fund; spending requires legislative approval and available money. Funding goes first to worker scholarships, then CareShare Tennessee, with a $5 million goal for each three-year pilot period. Smart Steps Plus gets funding only after both pilots meet their funding goals. The department can use up to 10% of the balance for administration, contractors, oversight, and evaluation. By March 31 after each operating year, it must report finances and program results to the governor and legislative leaders. Pilot results require independent verification by the Comptroller’s research office or an independent reviewer selected by the Comptroller.
Sponsors & Cosponsors
Sponsors
There is no primary sponsor on record.
Cosponsors
Scott Cepicky
Republican • House
Dave Wright
Republican • House
Roll Call Votes
Senate vote • 4/22/2026
FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 4/22/2026
Yes: 31 • No: 0
House vote • 4/22/2026
FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR AS AMENDED PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/22/2026
Yes: 73 • No: 8
House vote • 4/22/2026
FLOOR VOTE: MESSAGE CALENDAR 2 CONCUR IN SENATE AMENDMENT # 2 4/22/2026
Yes: 77 • No: 3
House vote • 4/21/2026
HOUSE CALENDAR & RULES COMMITTEE
Yes: 0 • No: 0
House vote • 4/20/2026
HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS SUBCOMMITTEE
Yes: 12 • No: 0
House vote • 4/20/2026
HOUSE FINANCE, WAYS, AND MEANS COMMITTEE
Yes: 26 • No: 0
House vote • 4/6/2026
HOUSE GOVERNMENT OPERATIONS COMMITTEE
Yes: 8 • No: 1
House vote • 3/31/2026
HOUSE HEALTH COMMITTEE
Yes: 14 • No: 0
House vote • 3/11/2026
HOUSE HEALTH SUBCOMMITTEE
Yes: 6 • No: 0
Actions Timeline
Effective date(s) 05/19/2026, 01/01/2027
5/26/2026Pub. Ch. 997
5/26/2026Signed by Governor.
5/19/2026Transmitted to Governor for his action.
5/7/2026HouseSigned by Senate Speaker
5/5/2026SenateSigned by H. Speaker
4/30/2026HouseEnrolled; ready for sig. of H. Speaker.
4/28/2026HouseH. concurred in S. am. no. 2 Ayes 77, Nays 3 PNV 5
4/22/2026HouseH. Placed on Message Calendar #2 for 4/22/26
4/22/2026HousePassed Senate as amended, Ayes 31, Nays 0
4/22/2026SenateSenate adopted Amendment (Amendment 2 - SA1106)
4/22/2026SenateAmendment withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - SA1105)
4/22/2026SenateSenate substituted House Bill for companion Senate Bill.
4/22/2026SenateReceived from House, Passed on First Consideration
4/22/2026SenateEngrossed; ready for transmission to Sen.
4/22/2026HousePassed H., as am., Ayes 73, Nays 8, PNV 10
4/22/2026HouseSponsor(s) Added.
4/22/2026HouseH. adopted am. (Amendment 1 - HA1231)
4/22/2026HouseH. Placed on Regular Calendar for 4/21/2026
4/20/2026HousePlaced on cal. Calendar & Rules Committee for 4/20/2026
4/20/2026HouseRec. for pass. if am., ref. to Calendar & Rules Committee
4/20/2026HousePlaced on cal. Finance, Ways, and Means Committee for 4/20/2026
4/20/2026HouseRec for pass if am by s/c ref. to Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
4/20/2026HousePlaced on s/c cal Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee for 4/20/2026
4/16/2026HouseTaken off notice for cal in s/c Finance, Ways, and Means Subcommittee of Finance, Ways, and Means Committee
4/15/2026House
Bill Text
HA1231
4/22/2026
Enrolled / Public Chapter
Fiscal Note
Introduced
SA1105
SA1106
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