TN HB0992

Creates the "Child Care Workforce Improvement Act" requiring the Commissioner of Human Services to implement a Child Care WAGE$ Tennessee program by January 1, 2026, providing supplemental payments to child care workers based on time in service

Eligibility for WAGE$ supplemental payments requires working at a licensed child care program, earning $20/hour or less, working at least 6 months at the same program with at least 10 classroom hours per week with children birth to age 5

Establishes a separate child care payment assistance program for early childhood educators (working 20+ hours/week) to help cover child care costs for their own children, with all income excluded from eligibility determinations

Grants priority wait list placement at child care agencies for children of early childhood educators receiving assistance payments under this program

Requires annual inflation adjustments to both programs based on the Consumer Price Index, with funding from the child care improvement fund