Cutting Red Tape on Child Care Providers Act of 2025

This bill says that states that take federal child care funds cannot block licensed child care providers (including license‑exempt ones) from doing simple food prep with fresh fruits and vegetables. “Simple” means basic steps like washing, peeling, cutting, and serving raw or minimally processed produce. The goal is to make it easier for kids in care to get fresh, healthy foods instead of only pre‑packaged snacks.

Lawmakers say some current rules make it harder to peel a banana than to open a packaged snack. By removing these barriers, the bill aims to help home‑based and center‑based providers offer better nutrition to children, especially in low‑income and rural communities.

• Who is affected: Child care providers (licensed and license‑exempt), children in care, and states that receive federal child care block grants.
• What changes: States may not set rules that stop simple prep of fresh fruits and veggies in child care settings; examples include washing, peeling, and cutting produce.
• When: Would take effect as an added requirement tied to federal child care funding once enacted.