Families would get more affordable child care options and better facilities under updated federal rules.
This bill would update federal child care rules, making it easier for low-income families to find and afford care. It would also create new grants to help child care providers open new facilities and expand services, especially in areas with shortages. States would need to ensure child care payment rates cover actual costs and that family fees are not a barrier.
Currently, federal child care assistance programs have certain rules for eligibility and how states set payment rates, and there isn't a dedicated federal grant program specifically for expanding child care supply and improving facilities. This bill would update the rules for the Child Care and Development Block Grant, requiring states to use cost-based payment models and non-barrier sliding fee scales. It would also create a new grant program to fund the creation and improvement of child care facilities and services, making it easier for providers to open or expand. Additionally, states could seek waivers to increase income eligibility for families, and would be required to analyze child care costs for families and plan for greater affordability and access.
S 2828 · 119th Congress · September 17, 2025 · AI Summary by gemini-2.5-flash · 7/10
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14 filings mentioned this bill
Amounts reflect total quarterly lobbying spend reported to the Senate, not bill-specific spending. Source: Senate LDA filings.