Sponsors (2)
The bill increases oversight and data-driven options to improve child care access for families and inform state policy, but it could lead to higher public costs and requires GAO resources that might be shifted from other oversight work.
Children, parents, and low-income families could gain improved access to child care subsidies if the GAO report leads Congress or states to raise payment rates or reduce wait lists.
Parents and families would benefit from clearer congressional oversight of CCDBG implementation that highlights eligibility barriers and potential reforms.
State policymakers would receive detailed data on payment rates and inflation impacts to better inform reimbursement decisions and policy choices affecting providers and low-income families.
Taxpayers and state budgets could face higher costs if Congress or states respond to the report by expanding subsidies or increasing provider reimbursement rates.
GAO staff and resources would be diverted to conduct the study, potentially reducing capacity for other federal oversight priorities.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires a GAO study (report due in 18 months) on State implementation and impacts of the CCDBG program, focusing on eligibility, wait lists, provider payments, and inflation effects.
Directs the Government Accountability Office to study how States implement and how families and providers are affected by the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program. The GAO must report to Congress within 18 months on state eligibility limits, CCDBG wait lists and reforms, provider payment rates by setting, and inflation’s effects on availability, affordability, access, and payments.
Official title: To require the Government Accountability Office to carry out a study relating to barriers in accessing the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 due to inflation and State eligibility standards.
Introduced December 11, 2025 by Kristen McDonald Rivet · Last progress December 11, 2025