TennesseeTennessee requires a study of school-run early childhood programs
The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations must examine the costs, funding, and unmet needs of early childhood programs run by public schools.
What it does
Tennessee’s advisory commission must study public school-run early childhood programs and recommend future options. Relevant state and local agencies must help when asked. The report is due by September 1, 2027.
Argument forExamining program costs and unmet needs could help lawmakers direct future early childhood funding where children need it most.
Argument againstRequiring agencies to provide data and assistance could take staff time away from their other work.
More detail
The Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations must study these programs and report findings and recommendations to the Senate education committee and the House committee responsible for these programs. The study covers public school-run early childhood programs across Tennessee, including voluntary pre-kindergarten, programs serving children with special needs, and federally funded programs run by schools. The study must list programs statewide and examine school districts’ costs, funding sources and amounts, access, participation, and unmet needs. It must compare programs with other states and recommend future program options, anticipated needs, and ways to keep funding stable. Relevant state and local agencies must provide data and help when the commission requests it. The law took effect May 13, 2026. The commission must submit its report and recommendations no later than September 1, 2027.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed Senate
- Passed House
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- May 18Pub. Ch. 976Latest
- May 18Effective date(s) 05/13/2026
- May 13Signed by Governor Bill Lee.Became Law
- May 5Transmitted to Governor for action.To Governor
- May 1Signed by H. SpeakerMajor
- Apr 23Signed by Senate SpeakerMajor
- Apr 23Enrolled and ready for signaturesMinor
- Apr 20Subst. for comp. HB.Major
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: REGULAR CALENDAR PASSAGE ON THIRD CONSIDERATION 4/20/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 20Am. withdrawn. (Amendment 1 - HA0912)Minor
- Apr 20Passed H., Ayes 93, Nays 0, PNV 0Passed House
- Mar 26Rcvd. from S., held on H. desk.
- Mar 23Senate adopted Amendment (Amendment 1 - SA0675)
- Vote recorded FLOOR VOTE: as Amended Third Consideration 3/23/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 23Passed Senate as amended, Ayes 30, Nays 0Passed Senate
- Mar 23Sponsor(s) Added.Minor
- Mar 23Engrossed; ready for transmission to HouseMinor
- Mar 20Placed on Senate Regular Calendar for 3/23/2026
- Mar 11Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0
- Vote recorded SENATE EDUCATION COMMITTEE: Recommended for passage with amendment/s, refer to Senate Calendar Committee Ayes 9, Nays 0 PNV 0 3/11/2026 Passed. Result: pass.Upper
- Mar 5Placed on Senate Education Committee calendar for 3/11/2026
- Feb 5Passed on Second Consideration, refer to Senate Education CommitteeMinor
- Feb 2Filed for introductionMinor
- Feb 2Introduced, Passed on First ConsiderationIntroduced
Education