Update 4/23/26: Governor Bill Lee has signed into law the TN Child Care Hosting Safe Harbor Act (SB 1683 / HB 1965)
The new law is a practical, solution to expand child care access by unlocking space that already exists across our state. And it continues our work to rightsize regulations – while protecting child health and safety – so Tennessee child care providers have fewer barriers to growth.
As our friend Katie Harbison, President & CEO of Chambliss Center for Children, shared:
Over the last few years, we have been eager to start conversations with businesses interested in hosting child care for their employees, but progress slowed or even ended when questions arose around potential liability on the partner’s end… Now that this bill has passed, we are excited to continue talks and, in some cases, restart conversations about employer-sponsored and employer-hosted childcare programs. This is a win for early childhood education!
Special thanks to the bill sponsors — Senator Ferrell Haile and Rep. Andrew Farmer.
And a big shout out to the advocates – especially TN’s business community – who helped make this win possible.
The Challenge We Must Address
Tennessee urgently needs more child care options — and availability of space can be a barrier — yet usable space across communities often sits empty.
Employers, churches, nonprofits, and community organizations have classrooms and buildings that could host licensed child care programs. Providers are eager to expand, and employers want to support care for their workforce.
But fear of civil liability stops these partnerships before they begin.
As a result:
- Space that could house child care remains unused
- Providers can’t expand to meet demand
- Families struggle to find care
Legal concerns are blocking practical, low-cost solutions — even when providers are licensed and insured.
The Solution: A Targeted Liability Safe Harbor
SB 1683 / HB 1965 creates a narrow civil liability safe harbor for organizations that host or support licensed child care providers without operating the care themselves.
The bill:
- Keeps all licensing and safety standards intact
- Places responsibility with the licensed provider
- Protects hosts unless gross negligence or misconduct occurs
What You Can Do: Be a loud voice for little kids and families!
Your voice matters — and legislators need to hear directly from parents, employers, educators, and community leaders across Tennessee.
Take a moment now to email your state legislators and urge them to support clearing Tennessee’s child care waitlist by filling out the form below (2-3 minutes).
Before sending, consider adding one or two sentences about:
- Your experience as a parent, employer, provider, or community member
- How child care affordability affects your family, workplace, or community
Personal stories — even brief ones — make a powerful impact.
