TN HB2413

Local governments must establish expedited permit review for child care agencies, with applications assigned within 5 business days and final decisions issued within 90 calendar days; permits are deemed approved if deadlines are missed

Fire safety inspections for child care agency licensing must be conducted exclusively by the state fire marshal, eliminating separate local fire department inspections and establishing uniform statewide fire safety standards

Child care agencies are permitted as a use by right in any zone allowing office, commercial, industrial, or institutional uses, and employer-based child care is allowed as an accessory use to lawful business operations

Local governments cannot impose conditions on child care agencies more restrictive than those applied to similar commercial uses, and zoning variances are not required if state licensing standards are met

Effective July 1, 2026 for all applications submitted on or after that date; rulemaking authority takes effect immediately upon passage