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HB 2349

Children's Services, Dept. of - As introduced, requires the department to create and maintain a website that includes certain information about child care agencies. - Amends TCA Title 37, Chapter 5, Part 5.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Mary Littleton

Tennessee requires Department of Children's Services to create public website listing child care agencies to increase transparency for parents and oversight.

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Bill Summary · HB 2349

Legislative bill overview

HB 2349 requires Tennessee's Department of Children's Services to create and maintain a public website displaying information about child care agencies operating in the state. The bill amends existing child welfare regulations under Tennessee Code Annotated Title 37, Chapter 5, Part 5, to establish this transparency requirement.

Why is this important

Increased transparency about child care providers helps parents make informed decisions when selecting care for their children and allows public oversight of agency operations and standards. This type of centralized information resource can reduce barriers to finding licensed providers and potentially improve accountability in the child care sector.

Potential points of contention

  • Implementation costs and maintenance burden: Creating and maintaining a comprehensive website requires ongoing funding, technical resources, and staff time that must be allocated within the Department's existing budget or justified through supplemental appropriations.
  • Data scope and liability questions: The bill doesn't specify what information must be included (licensing status, complaints, violations, inspection records, etc.), leaving ambiguity about privacy concerns for agencies and potential legal exposure if information is incomplete or inaccurate.
  • Agency compliance burden: Child care providers may face additional reporting or documentation requirements to supply information for the website, and enforcement mechanisms for non-compliance are unclear.

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

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