Plain English Breakdown
The effective date for this act is July 1, 2026.
Tennessee Child Care Hosting Safe Harbor Act
This law protects employers and host entities from being sued for damages caused by child care providers operating on their property, as long as the employer or host entity does not manage the provider.
What This Bill Does
- Creates a new section in Tennessee's laws called the 'Tennessee Child Care Hosting Safe Harbor Act'.
- Says that employers and host entities are not responsible for damages caused by child care providers on their property, if the provider is licensed and the employer or host entity does not manage them.
- Explains that providing space, utilities, maintenance, security, improvements, or financial support to a child care provider does not mean managing it.
- States that this law does not stop people from suing child care providers directly.
Who It Names or Affects
- Employers who provide space for child care on their property.
- Host entities like nonprofits, faith-based groups, and educational institutions that allow a child care provider to use their property.
- Child care providers licensed by the state of Tennessee.
Terms To Know
- Employer
- A person or entity that subsidizes child care costs for its employees or hosts a child care provider on its premises, as long as it does not operate or manage the provider.
- Host Entity
- An organization that permits a child care provider to use property they own or control, including nonprofits, faith-based groups, community organizations, educational institutions, and property owners or renters.
Limits and Unknowns
- The law only applies to actions arising on or after July 1, 2026.
- It does not protect employers or host entities if they are grossly negligent or act willfully misconducted causing harm.
- This bill was signed by the Governor and is now active.