AN ACT to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, relative to child care assistance for teachers employed in a public school.
Note
The legislation is set to take effect upon becoming law, indicating a sense of urgency and recognition of the pressing need to support educators in managing child care responsibilities.
Impact
This bill proposes that each LEA and public charter school may reimburse teachers up to sixty-six percent (66%) of their monthly child care expenses, with a cap of $1,000. The reimbursement is only available for child care services rendered while classroom instruction is ongoing according to the school calendar. The expected outcome of this bill is to provide financial assistance to teachers, encouraging retention and enhancing job satisfaction among educators by making child care more affordable.
Summary
House Bill 1927 aims to amend Tennessee Code Annotated, Title 49, by introducing a reimbursement program specifically for child care expenses incurred by teachers employed in public schools. The bill defines eligible teachers as those who are employed full-time by local education agencies (LEAs) or public charter schools, who have worked there for at least one full school year before submitting a claim for reimbursement. The legislation seeks to ease the financial burden on teachers who are managing child care costs while maintaining their teaching responsibilities.
Contention
While the bill is designed to support teachers, there may be concerns regarding the availability of funding and the impacts on local school budgets. The state will reimburse LEAs and public charter schools thirty-three percent (33%) of the amounts paid out, contingent on state appropriations. This raises questions about the long-term sustainability of the program, especially in times of budget constraints. Additionally, there might be differing opinions on whether the reimbursement is sufficient to cover the actual costs of child care that teachers face.