TN HB1175

Licensed child care agencies gain right of first refusal to purchase vacant school property or lease underutilized/vacant property from local education agencies (LEAs) at or below fair market value, with public charter schools receiving priority where they operate

LEAs must submit comprehensive listings of underutilized and vacant properties to the Department of Human Services and comptroller, and child care agencies may petition for an audit of these lists

Fair market value for property transactions is determined by averaging two independent appraisals, one selected by each party; lease agreements cannot include outstanding bonded debt except for occupation or remodeling costs

Local governments must treat family child care homes operating in residential dwellings as residential property for zoning, land use, and sanitation purposes, and cannot impose stricter requirements than state fire marshal standards

Host schools' fire inspections and facilities may satisfy provisional licensing requirements for child care agencies or early learning programs operating at the school for same-age children; effective July 1, 2025