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SB 1921

Human Resources, Department of - As introduced, directs the department to annually transfer a portion of the TANF rainy-day fund to the child care and development fund in an amount sufficient to fund participation in the smart steps program for a family that meets certain listed criteria; requires the department to annually publish on the department's website a report on certain listed expenditures and balances. - Amends TCA Title 71.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Becky Massey

Tennessee bill redirects TANF emergency reserves annually to subsidize child care programs for low-income families while mandating public reporting on fund usage.

Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 4/22/2026
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Bill Summary · SB 1921

Legislative bill overview

SB 1921 directs Tennessee's Department of Human Resources to annually transfer funds from the TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) rainy-day fund to the child care and development fund. These transfers would specifically fund participation in the Smart Steps program for eligible families, and requires the department to publish annual reports on related expenditures and fund balances.

Why is this important

Child care access is a significant barrier to employment for low-income families, and this bill attempts to address that by dedicating existing welfare reserve funds to subsidized child care. The mandatory reporting requirement creates transparency around how these safety-net funds are being allocated and spent.

Potential points of contention

  • Fund reallocation trade-offs: Transferring TANF rainy-day reserves to child care reduces the emergency buffer available during economic downturns or unforeseen crises, potentially limiting the state's ability to respond to future welfare emergencies
  • Program eligibility and scope: The bill references "certain listed criteria" without specifying what those are in this summary, raising questions about who qualifies and whether the funding level will actually be sufficient for stated participation goals
  • Ongoing vs. one-time commitment: Unclear whether annual transfers are sustainable long-term or if they depend on TANF fund balances, potentially creating inconsistent child care funding that families cannot rely on

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

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