Bill > SB2509

This bill, known as the "Tennessee Child Care Red Tape Reduction Act," aims to streamline the process for opening and operating child care agencies by expediting permit applications and standardizing fire safety inspections. It mandates that local governments prioritize child care agency permit applications, similar to affordable housing developments, and process them within specific timeframes, with applications deemed approved if not decided within 90 days, provided a fire safety inspection is passed. The bill designates the state fire marshal as the sole authority for conducting fire safety inspections for child care agencies, preventing duplicative inspections by local fire departments, and requires the state fire marshal to establish uniform statewide fire safety standards, with local governments only allowed to impose stricter requirements if there's a documented safety risk and state approval. Furthermore, it clarifies zoning regulations, allowing child care agencies to operate as a permitted use in various commercial and industrial zones, and as an accessory use for employer-provided child care, while still permitting local governments to impose reasonable conditions related to traffic, parking, and building safety that are not more restrictive than those for similar commercial uses.

Health and Social Services

https://wapp.capitol.tn.gov/apps/Billinfo/Default?BillNumber=SB2509&ga=114