Education - As enacted, requires TACIR, with the assistance of relevant state agencies, to conduct a comprehensive study on public school administered early childhood education programs in this state. - Amends TCA Title , the official text

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ff State Jenn&ssee

                              PUBLIC CHAPTER NO. 976

                                                    SENATE BILL NO. 2361

                                                By Massey, Campbell, Oliver

                                           Substituted for: House Bill No. 2129

                                By Alexander, Maberry, Crawford, Littleton, Pearson

AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 9 and Title 49, relative to pre-kindergarten.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF TENNESSEE:

          SECTION 1. Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, Chapter 1, Part 11, is amended by adding
the following as a new section:

                    (a) The Tennessee advisory commission on intergovernmental relations (TACIR)
          shall conduct a comprehensive study on public school administered early childhood
          education programs in this state.

                    (b) The study must include:

                              (1) A statewide inventory of public school administered early childhood
                    education programs, including, but not limited to, voluntary pre-kindergarten
                    programs, early childhood education programs that serve students with special
                    needs, federally funded early childhood education programs such as a Title I
                    program, and a school-administered head start or an even start program;

                              (2) The actual costs to LEAs for operating early childhood education
                    programs;

                              (3) The current funding sources and amount for each funding source to
                    operate public school administered early childhood education programs;

                              (4) An assessment of the access to, participation rates in, and unmet needs
                    for public school administered early childhood education programs;

                              (5) A comparison of public school administered early childhood education
                    programs of other states with this state; and

                              (6) Policy options and recommendations for future program development,
                    anticipated needs, and sustainable funding strategies for public school administered
                    early childhood education programs.

                    (c) All relevant state and local agencies shall provide data and assistance to TACIR
          for the study conducted pursuant to this act, upon TACIR's request.

                    (d) TACIR shall submit its report and recommendations to the education committee of
          the senate and the committee of the house of representatives having jurisdiction over public
          school administered early childhood education programs no later than September 1, 2027.

          SECTION 2. This act takes effect upon becoming a law, the public welfare requiring it.
         SENATE BILL NO. 2361

PASSED:  April 20, 2026

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                         '               RANDY McNlLLY

                            SPEAKER OF THE SENATE

                         c.~

                         CAMERONSEXTON,SPEAKER

                         HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

riu.. & APPROVED this                    2026
         day of (Y\o A

         /?,,u IL
                     BILL LEE, GOVERNOR