(NASHVILLE, Tenn.) — House Commerce Committee Chairman Timothy Hill (R-Blountville) today filed legislation that is designed to address long standing childcare needs for rural Tennessee families, especially those in Northeast Tennessee.
Hill officially filed the measure today after extensive research and several discussions with citizens in Johnson County who were struggling to find access to safe, reliable childcare services.
The legislation allows unlicensed care providers in counties comprised of fewer than 50,000 citizens to care for children for a period of up to 12 hours each calendar week. Under this proposal, parents would be required to sign a waiver acknowledging providers are unlicensed. The bill would also cap the number of children each provider could supervise at no more than 10 and would ensure adult/child ratios established for licensed care agencies are met. Finally, all providers and staff members would be required to complete at least 10 hours of training.
“Access to safe, reliable childcare services has troubled our communities for several years, and this solution will cut through government bureaucracy to address a great need for our families,” said Chairman Hill. “I will continue to fight for additional resources that support them and that also ensure the safety of our children is never jeopardized by those who are responsible for their care.”
The bill will soon be introduced in the House chamber and will then be assigned to the appropriate standing committee for discussion and debate.
Timothy Hill is Chairman of the House Commerce Committee. He is also a member of the House Calendar & Rules Committee, as well as the Business, Utilities, Banking & Investments, and Life & Health Insurance Subcommittees. Hill represents Tennessee House District 3, which includes Johnson, and part of Carter and Sullivan Counties. Hill can be reached by email at: [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> or by calling (615) 741-2050.
