Senate Bill 2062, known as the "Promising Futures Act," seeks to improve child care access and support for working families in Tennessee by establishing the Promising Futures Fund. This fund will be financed through dedicated revenues from vapor products and hemp-derived cannabinoid products, rather than general fund revenues. The bill outlines funding for various pilot programs, including the Child Care Workforce Scholarship Pilot Program, which offers free child care for children of eligible child care workers, and the CareShare Tennessee Pilot Program, which provides employer-supported child care assistance, with a total of $5 million allocated for each program over three years. Additionally, the Smart Steps Plus program will offer child care scholarships to working families whose incomes exceed existing assistance program thresholds.

The bill also amends sections of the Tennessee Code Annotated to enhance the administration and funding of child care programs, ensuring compliance with the Uniform Administrative Procedures Act. It allows the department of human services to begin operating the program on or after January 1, 2027, contingent on available funding, and mandates annual reporting to evaluate program effectiveness. Furthermore, the bill modifies the allocation of revenues from fees and penalties related to child care programs, directing excess funds to the Promising Futures Fund if unexpended at the end of the fiscal year. These amendments aim to clarify fund usage and reporting requirements, ultimately strengthening the child care workforce and supporting economic growth.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 57-7-106, 57-7-106(f), 57-7-108, 57-7-112, 57-7-113, 67-4-1025, 67-4-1034, 67-4-1035
Amended with HA1231, SA1106 -- 04/22/2026: 57-7-106, 57-7-106(f), 57-7-108, 57-7-112, 57-7-113, 67-4-1025, 67-4-1034, 67-4-1035