Bill > SB2062

This bill, known as the "Promising Futures Act," establishes a dedicated fund to support initiatives aimed at improving child care accessibility and quality in Tennessee, recognizing that affordable and reliable child care is crucial for workforce participation, family economic stability, and child well-being, and that its lack is a significant barrier for employers. The Act creates the "Promising Futures Fund" to finance pilot programs designed to strengthen the child care workforce, encourage employer involvement in child care costs, and expand access for families not currently eligible for subsidies, with a focus on accountability and data-driven evaluation. Key programs funded include a scholarship program offering free child care to eligible child care workers regardless of their income, a "CareShare Tennessee" program that provides state matching funds for employer and employee contributions to child care costs, and a "Smart Steps Plus" program offering scholarships to working families whose incomes exceed current eligibility thresholds but are still below 150% of the state median income. The Department of Human Services will administer these programs, potentially using third-party administrators for some functions, and will be required to submit annual reports on their effectiveness, with provisions for independent verification of performance data.