Sponsors (4)
The bill aims to curb improper payments and clarify payment rules by tying child-care payments to verified attendance, but it shifts financial and administrative burdens that could strain small providers and reduce access for families.
Parents and taxpayers: Tying payments to verified attendance reduces payments for absent children, protecting program funds and lowering overpayment risk.
State and local lead agencies: The bill clarifies permissible timing of payments so agencies may wait until services are provided, reducing administrative liability and financial exposure for governments.
Providers (including small businesses): Establishing an attendance-verification standard (records or reasonable methods) creates clearer, more consistent documentation expectations across programs.
Child care providers: Shifting to delayed or post-service payments can create cash-flow problems that may force some providers to close or reduce hours, shrinking local child care availability.
Parents and children: Providers facing payment timing changes may limit slots or require upfront parental co-pays, reducing access to affordable child care for families.
State agencies, local governments, and providers: Implementing attendance verification systems increases reporting, compliance, and administrative costs for agencies and small providers.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Requires CCDBG lead agencies to pay child care providers based on verified attendance (not enrollment) and allows payments after services are provided.
Introduced February 12, 2026 by Rafael Edward Cruz · Last progress February 12, 2026
Requires State or lead agencies that use Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funds to pay child care providers based on verified attendance rather than on enrollment. It mandates verification using attendance records or another reasonable method and clarifies that agencies are not required to pay providers before services are delivered, allowing payment after services are provided. Affects lead agencies administering CCDBG payments and child care providers by changing permissible payment practices and verification requirements; it can change provider cash flow, administrative processes, and how agencies document attendance.