Sponsors (5)
The bill expands and targets child care capacity—especially for law enforcement families and small/rural jurisdictions—while relying on increasing local matching funds and relatively tight funding and administrative limits that could restrict participation, scaling, and timely implementation.
Children and families — including children with disabilities — will see increased child care supply and quality because the bill funds start‑up, construction, renovation, and provider training, expanding access to care in communities that need it.
Parents who are law enforcement officers gain access to subsidized child care during nonstandard hours, making it easier to work shift schedules and reducing missed work or scheduling conflicts.
Small law enforcement agencies and rural communities receive targeted financial support because at least 20% of funds are reserved for jurisdictions with fewer than 200 officers, improving equity of access to these grants.
Covered entities must provide rising non‑Federal matching funds (10%, then 25%, then 33%), which can strain local budgets, reduce participation by cash‑constrained agencies, and shift costs to local taxpayers.
The program’s funding limits — a $3,000,000 per‑applicant cap and a $24,000,000 annual program total — may leave larger jurisdictions or multi‑site projects underfunded and limit the ability to scale high‑demand projects.
Requiring compliance with federal child care provider regulations (42 U.S.C. 9858n and 45 C.F.R. §§98.41, 98.43) increases administrative burden for small providers and could delay service start‑up or expansion.
Based on analysis of 2 sections of legislative text.
Creates a competitive HHS grant program to fund three‑year child care programs for children of law enforcement officers, prioritizing nonstandard hours and small agencies.
Creates a competitive HHS grant program to fund three‑year child care programs that serve minor children of law enforcement officers during shift and other nonstandard hours. Grants can cover start‑up and operating costs, provider training, family subsidies, care for sick children and children with disabilities, and other activities to keep nontraditional hours available. The program is run by the Administration for Children and Families through lead agencies that award funds to local law enforcement agencies or consortia. It limits awards to $3,000,000 per applicant, phases in local matching funds (10% first year, 25% second, 33% third), and reserves at least 20% of funds each year for small law enforcement agencies with fewer than 200 full‑time officers.
Introduced July 17, 2025 by Kirsten Gillibrand · Last progress July 17, 2025