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Bill would create task force and allow apprenticeships in child-care centers to bolster early-educator pipeline
Summary
House Bill 2426 would form a temporary task force to inventory Tennessee's early-education workforce supports after the loss of TECTA funding and enable registered apprenticeships to use licensed child-care centers and private preschools as clinical practice sites.
Chairman White introduced House Bill 2426, saying the measure would create a temporary task force led by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development to "evaluate the education and workforce resources already available, identify where gaps already exist," and recommend ways to better align existing investments.
"So rather than creating something new, this bill establishes a temporary task force led by the Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce that would do three things," Chairman White said. He described the bill's second component as an apprenticeship model developed with Lipscomb University and the Tennessee Department of Education that would allow individuals to earn credentials while working in early-childhood settings and narrow current limits so licensed child-care centers and private preschools can serve as approved clinical practice sites.
Members asked detailed questions about retention, compensation and quality standards. Representative Renaud asked whether the bill addresses why workers leave the field; White replied that low pay is a primary factor and that separate finance legislation is intended to address wages. Representative Mackenzie asked whether centers would meet consistent standards before hosting apprentices; White said universities and the Department of Education would provide oversight. When asked where credentials would be conferred, White said the bill creates a statewide framework and noted Lipscomb as an initial partner but said the program could expand to other educator-preparation providers.
The sponsor characterized the measure as a framework for alignment rather than a funding vehicle; he said funding proposals would be pursued in finance committees and that possible funding sources include dedicated streams such as taxes on vaping or hemp products. The bill received committee approval and passed out of Government Operations.
What happens next: HB 2426 moves to the calendar and rules and will be routed to the Finance or appropriate committees for any funding decisions.
