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HB 2460

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 Justin Pearson

Tennessee bill extends unlicensed child care exemption from 14 to 21 days annually for occasional "Parents' Night Out" programs, reducing state licensing oversight.

Action Def. in s/c Health Subcommittee to 3/25/2026
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Bill Summary · HB 2460

Legislative bill overview

HB 2460 increases the annual exemption threshold for unlicensed child care providers from 14 to 21 days per year. This applies to organizations offering occasional care through "Parents' Night Out" or special event programs, allowing them to operate without state licensing requirements from the Department of Human Services.

Why is this important

Child care licensing exists to ensure basic safety, health, and quality standards. This change directly affects regulatory oversight of care facilities and impacts both the flexibility available to parents seeking occasional care and the baseline protections applied to children in those settings. The modification could reduce administrative burden on community organizations while potentially lowering regulatory barriers to entry.

Potential points of contention

  • Safety standards gap: Increasing unlicensed care days from 14 to 21 annually means more child care hours occur outside state oversight, raising questions about background checks, facility safety inspections, and staff training requirements
  • Definitional ambiguity: Terms like "occasional," "infrequent," and "similar programs" may be subject to interpretation, potentially allowing organizations to stretch the exemption beyond legislative intent
  • Cross-title amendments: The bill modifies six Tennessee Code titles, suggesting complex regulatory ripple effects that may not be immediately apparent and could create unintended consequences across multiple child welfare systems

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

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