Sponsors (8)
The bill expands access to licensed child care and strengthens the child care workforce—especially in underserved and Tribal areas—by authorizing construction, training, and a $100M funding stream, but it increases federal spending and matching burdens, may create administrative complexity for states and small providers, and leaves some eligibility and funding uncertainty.
Parents and families in designated child care deserts gain increased access to licensed, quality child care through funded facility construction and workforce expansion.
People seeking child care careers (including those without degrees) receive tuition, textbooks, credential training, and measures to improve retention and compensation—making it easier to enter and remain in the child care workforce.
The Act authorizes a predictable funding stream ($100 million total from 2025–2031) to implement the program, supporting continuity and planning for authorized services.
The bill increases federal spending obligations (authorized $100 million plus at least a 50% federal share on some construction/training), which raises budgetary costs and could contribute to deficits or require offsets.
States and Tribes must provide non‑Federal matches and administrative capacity to apply for and run grants, which can strain budgets and divert resources from other priorities.
Smaller providers and family child care businesses may face difficulty complying with grant application, matching, and reporting requirements, limiting their ability to benefit from the program.
Based on analysis of 3 sections of legislative text.
Creates a competitive HHS grant program for States and Tribes to fund child care workforce development and facility projects in child care deserts and authorizes $100M for 2025–2031.
Official title: Assist States in carrying out projects to expand the child care workforce and child care facilities in the States, and for other purposes.
Introduced January 21, 2025 by Amy Klobuchar · Last progress January 21, 2025
Creates a competitive HHS grant program to help States and Tribal entities strengthen the child care workforce and build or upgrade child care facilities in defined “child care deserts.” Grants can fund workforce development (training, credentials, tuition support, retention/compensation, resource-and-referral capacity) and facility activities (construction, expansion, renovation, equipment) for up to five years, with a 50% federal share. The Act authorizes $100 million for fiscal years 2025–2031 and requires program evaluation and a report to Congress after the first grant period.