HB 218 Tennessee House · 114th Regular Session (2025-2026)

Education - As introduced, enacts the "Universal Pre-K Funding Act." - Amends TCA Title 4, Chapter 51; Title 49 and Title 67.

HB 218, the "Universal Pre-K Funding Act," requires Tennessee public school districts (LEAs) to provide universal pre-kindergarten programs for all eligible 4-year-olds residing within their district boundaries. It establishes specific program standards, including maximum class sizes of 20 students, certified early childhood teachers, and a minimum of 5.5 hours of daily instruction using state-aligned curricula. The bill mandates that LEAs fund these programs through a dedicated tax on digital advertising, replacing previous reliance on federal or temporary funding. Enrollment remains voluntary for families, but districts must ensure all eligible children can access the program through structured enrollment processes.
Bill status in committee 3 of 5 stages cleared
Introduction
Jan 2025
Committee Review
Mar 2025
House Passage
Feb 2023
Senate Passage
Governor
Introduced Jan 27, 2025 Last action Mar 25, 2025
Floor votes · House Feb 13, 2023

How they voted

850
Passed
Total votes 85
Feb 13, 2023
D Democratic20
20 Yea
100% Yea
R Republican65
65 Yea
100% Yea
Vote distribution
All Yea All Nay Mixed No data
Full legislative history

Actions timeline

Total actions
9
Key actions
5
Committee
6
Mar 25, 2025
Lower · Passed
Taken off notice for cal in s/c K-12 Subcommittee of Education Committee
lower
Mar 19, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal K-12 Subcommittee for 3/25/2025
lower
Mar 18, 2025
Lower · Passed
Action Def. in s/c K-12 Subcommittee to 3/25/2025
lower
Mar 12, 2025
Lower · Passed
Placed on s/c cal K-12 Subcommittee for 3/18/2025
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
P2C, ref. to Education Committee - Government Operations for Review
lower
Feb 3, 2025
Committee
Assigned to s/c K-12 Subcommittee
lower
Jan 27, 2025
Introduced
Intro., P1C.
lower
Feb 13, 2023
House · Passed
House Vote: pass (85-0)
house
1 primary · 0 co-sponsors

Sponsors

Role
Legislator
Party
State
District
P
Photo of Aftyn Behn
Aftyn Behn
DDemocratic
TN
51