Children - As introduced, reduces the time in which the department of children's services has to determine whether a temporary childcare licensee has complied with all regulations to receive a permanent childcare license from 90 days from the date the temporary license was issued to 80 days. - Amends TCA Title 4; Title 5; Title 6; Title 7; Title 8; Title 13; Title 37; Title 49; Title 62; Title 67; Title 68 and Title 71.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Bo Watson

Tennessee shortens the DCS review window for converting temporary childcare licenses to permanent ones from 90 to 80 days, without changing licensing standards.

Assigned to General Subcommittee of Senate Health and Welfare Committee

#children

Purpose and intent

The bill amends Tennessee law to shorten the time the Department of Children's Services (DCS) has to determine whether a temporary childcare licensee has complied with all regulations to receive a permanent childcare license.

Specifically, it reduces the review period from 90 days to 80 days.

The change is framed as a technical adjustment to streamline licensure without altering current statutory framework beyond the timeframe.

Key provisions and changes

Amends Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) Section 37-5-502(d)(3) by substituting:

Old: “ninety (90) days”
New: “eighty (80) days”

Result: DCS must complete its determination regarding compliance of a temporary childcare licensee within 80 days after the temporary license is issued, instead of 90 days.

The act otherwise does not change substantive licensure standards, penalties, or compliance criteria; it modifies only the deadline for decision-making.

Affected parties and scope

Primary: Department of Children's Services (DCS), as the agency responsible for issuing and converting temporary childcare licenses to permanent licenses.

Temporary childcare licensees seeking permanent licensure under the affected provisions.

Other stakeholders potentially impacted indirectly include childcare providers, applicants, and any entities regulated under the relevant chapters of Tennessee law (as listed in the bill’s title), though the substantive regulatory standards remain unchanged.

Procedural and timeline considerations

Effective date: The act takes effect upon becoming law, with the public welfare requiring it. This implies immediate or near-immediate applicability once enacted.

Legislative history indicates standard bill progression through committee and readings, with no noted fiscal impact beyond a non-significant level.

Fiscal note: Describes the fiscal impact as NOT SIGNIFICANT; assumes minimal or no meaningful cost/savings for state or local governments from the change.

Practical impact and considerations

The 10-day reduction tightens the window for DCS to review compliance for converting temporary licenses to permanent licenses.

For applicants: Potentially faster pathway to permanent status if the agency completes review within 80 days.

For DCS: May necessitate minor adjustments to internal processing timelines and workload management, though the fiscal analysis suggests no substantial operational burden.

Summary

SB 1365 / HB 1091 shortens the time frame for DCS to determine if a temporary childcare licensee has met regulatory requirements to obtain a permanent license, changing the review period from 90 days to 80 days. The bill makes a narrow procedural adjustment without altering substantive licensing standards, and it is projected to have a non-significant fiscal impact. The act becomes law upon enactment.

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