Sponsors (39)
The bill helps law enforcement families access licensed, nonstandard‑hour childcare and supports small agencies, but its limited total funding, rising local match requirements, and administrative constraints mean many agencies may still be unable to take advantage of the program.
Law enforcement parents (officers and staff) gain access to funded, nonstandard-hour childcare so they can work shift schedules without leaving children unattended or reducing work hours.
Children of law enforcement personnel receive licensed, disability‑accommodating childcare, improving safety, continuity of care, and developmental supports for those children.
Small and rural law enforcement agencies are prioritized (at least 20% of funds), helping retention of officers in smaller jurisdictions and addressing needs in underserved communities.
All law enforcement agencies nationwide face limited program scale because the bill authorizes only $24 million per year, leaving many officers without supported nonstandard-hour care.
Covered entities must provide rising non‑Federal matches (10% → 25% → 33%), which could strain budgets and effectively exclude some small or cash‑constrained agencies from participating.
Administrative and compliance burdens (application processes, annual audits, monitoring, and potential repayment with interest for misuse) may deter small providers and impose ongoing costs on participating agencies.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a new HHS competitive grant program to fund child care programs serving minor children of law enforcement officers during shift and nonstandard hours. Grants are three-year awards to state/territory/Tribal lead agencies that pass funds to law enforcement agencies or consortia; funding may be used for startup, staffing, subsidies, sick-child care, disability services, facility costs, training, and other related activities. Authorizes $24 million per year for FY2026–FY2030 (with up to $2.5 million of the multi-year total available for studies and administration), requires graduated local matching (10% year 1, 25% year 2, 33% year 3), sets a $3 million per-applicant cap, reserves at least 20% of funds for small agencies (under 200 officers), mandates audits and oversight, and requires two program studies with reports to Congress; the program terminates September 30, 2030.
Introduced May 8, 2025 by Scott Peters · Last progress May 8, 2025