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SB 2676

Children - As introduced, increases from 14 to 21 days, the maximum amount of time per year that an entity or organization may provide child care on an occasional or infrequent basis through a "Parents' Night Out" or similar "Special Event" program while remaining exempt from the department of human service's licensing requirements. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 9; Title 49; Title 50; Title 67 and Title 71.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Raumesh Akbari

Tennessee bill raises annual unlicensed child care exemption from 14 to 21 days, reducing regulatory oversight of occasional "Parents' Night Out" programs while expanding family access to affordable occasional care.

Placed on Senate Health and Welfare Committee calendar for 3/17/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 2676

Legislative bill overview

SB 2676 increases the annual exemption threshold for unlicensed child care from 14 to 21 days per year, allowing organizations to operate "Parents' Night Out" and similar occasional care programs without state licensing requirements. The bill modifies multiple Tennessee statutes governing child care regulation across multiple titles of state law.

Why is this important

This change affects thousands of families who rely on occasional child care services provided by churches, community centers, and nonprofit organizations. It either reduces regulatory burden on these entities (making occasional care more accessible and affordable) or reduces state oversight of child safety standards (depending on perspective), with real consequences for child welfare and parental options.

Potential points of contention

  • Safety vs. burden trade-off: Critics may argue that extending the exemption weakens child safety protections by allowing more unlicensed care, while supporters contend that occasional, supervised programs pose minimal risk and licensing is administratively burdensome for infrequent providers
  • Equity concerns: Organizations serving lower-income families may benefit from reduced compliance costs, but this same cost advantage could incentivize providers to skip licensing that protects vulnerable children
  • Definitional ambiguity: "Occasional or infrequent" and "similar programs" may create gray areas in enforcement, potentially allowing some providers to operate indefinitely while technically staying within the 21-day limit

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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