Sponsors (6)
Authorizes a 3-year competitive HHS grant program funding child care for children of law enforcement officers during shift and nontraditional hours, with matching rules and a small-agency set-aside.
The bill expands subsidized, shift‑friendly child care capacity for law enforcement families and requires safeguards for funds, but does so with modest federal spending, rising local matching costs, administrative burdens, and only time‑limited funding that risks service loss after 2030.
Children of law enforcement officers — more and better child care options (including sick-child care and supports for children with disabilities) will be available, improving care continuity and developmental supports.
Law enforcement parents — subsidized child care that covers shift and nonstandard hours reduces scheduling barriers for parents who work nights or irregular shifts.
Child care providers and local communities — grant funding can support start‑ups, construction, renovation, and provider training, increasing local child care capacity for shift workers.
Parents, children, and covered entities — program funding is temporary (three‑year grants) and the program sunsets in 2030, risking loss of services when federal grants end.
Small law enforcement agencies and local governments — required non‑Federal matching shares that rise over time (10%, 25%, 33%) may strain local budgets and limit participation by smaller agencies.
Taxpayers — the program authorizes federal spending of $24 million per year through 2030, increasing federal outlays.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Official title: Establish a grant program to provide child care services for the minor children of law enforcement officers to accommodate the shift work and nontraditional work hours of such officers, and to enhance recruitment and retention of such officers.
Introduced July 17, 2025 by Kirsten Gillibrand · Last progress July 17, 2025
Creates a competitive 3-year federal grant program, administered by the Assistant Secretary for the Administration for Children and Families, to fund state-designated lead agencies that support child care programs for minor children of law enforcement officers during shift and nontraditional hours. Grants may be used for start-up and operating costs, expanded/nonstandard hours, training, sick-child care, care for children with disabilities, and family financial assistance; awards include set limits, matching requirements that increase over the three-year grant period, and a set-aside for small law enforcement agencies.