Sponsors (43)
The bill provides targeted federal funding to expand subsidized, shift‑friendly child care and supports for law enforcement families (with workforce and rural-targeting benefits), but imposes rising local matching requirements, eligibility and award limits, administrative set‑asides, and a 2030 sunset that constrain participation, coverage, and long‑term sustainability.
Parents and families of law enforcement officers gain subsidized, expanded child care (including coverage for nontraditional/shift hours), lowering out-of-pocket costs and improving caregivers' ability to work irregular schedules.
Children of officers — including those who are sick or have disabilities — gain access to sick-child services and supports for children with disabilities, improving child health and continuity of care.
Small and rural law enforcement agencies receive targeted funding (at least 20% of annual awards), helping smaller jurisdictions build or maintain child care supports for their personnel.
Covered entities must provide rising non-federal matching funds (starting 10% and increasing to 33%), which may strain local budgets and limit participation by cash‑constrained jurisdictions.
Eligibility tied to federal child care rules (CCDBG and regulations) could exclude informal or unlicensed local providers, reducing available options for shift and emergency care.
The program sunsets in 2030, making benefits temporary and creating uncertainty for families and agencies that would need sustained support to maintain expanded child care capacity.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Authorizes a 3-year competitive HHS grant program for states to fund child care serving minor children of law enforcement officers on nonstandard/shift hours, with matching and $3M caps.
Introduced May 8, 2025 by Scott Peters · Last progress May 8, 2025
Creates a three-year competitive grant program at HHS (through ACF) that gives state-designated lead agencies funds to help establish and operate child care programs serving minor children of law enforcement officers who work nontraditional or shift hours. Grants support start-up and operating costs, provider training, expanded/nonstandard hours, care for sick children and children with disabilities, and other child care needs; awards are capped at $3,000,000 per applicant and include a phased non‑Federal matching requirement and a set-aside for small law enforcement agencies.