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HB 1663

Human Resources, Department of - As enacted, excludes a person or entity that operates a family child care home and obtains a United States department of defense certificate to operate from being subject to licensure as long as such family child care home provides child care services only to an eligible patron. - Amends TCA Title 71, Chapter 3.

114th Regular Session (2025-2026) Introduced by Aron Maberry

Exempts DoD-certified family child care homes from Tennessee state licensure if serving only eligible patrons, replacing state oversight with federal military standards.

Signed by Governor.
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Bill Summary · HB 1663

Legislative bill overview

HB 1663 exempts family child care homes that obtain a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) certificate from state licensure requirements, provided they serve only eligible patrons (typically military families). The bill modifies Tennessee Code Annotated Title 71, Chapter 3, which governs child care licensing standards.

Why is this important

This creates a dual regulatory pathway for child care: DoD-certified homes would operate under federal military standards rather than state oversight. This affects child safety standards, parent protections, and state regulatory authority—particularly impacting military-connected families in Tennessee who may have more flexibility, but potentially reducing consistent state-level consumer protections for this subset of providers.

Potential points of contention

  • Safety and accountability standards: DoD certification requirements may differ from Tennessee's licensure standards; unclear whether federal oversight provides equivalent consumer protections and safety inspections
  • Regulatory fragmentation: Creates two separate oversight systems, potentially leaving gaps in accountability and making enforcement more complex across jurisdictions
  • Access and equity concerns: Exemption limited to "eligible patrons" (military families) may exclude civilian children from more affordable or available care options, raising questions about fairness and service availability
  • Liability and recourse: Families using exempted homes may have different legal recourse options compared to traditionally licensed providers, affecting consumer protection

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

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