Child Care Integrity Monitoring Act of 2026

This bill amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to establish a new framework for monitoring state performance and ensuring accountability. It mandates that the Secretary conduct comprehensive reviews of each state receiving assistance under the Act at three-year intervals, systematically evaluating their adherence to program requirements and effective use of funds. This proactive oversight aims to identify potential issues early and maintain the integrity of the child care system. Based on the findings of these reviews, states can be designated as "high risk" if they exhibit a high level of unresolved or repeated adverse audit findings, persistent failures in implementing corrective action plans, or repeated noncompliance with their approved state plans. This critical designation then triggers a requirement for the Secretary to impose additional monitoring on these identified high-risk states, ensuring targeted intervention to address deficiencies and improve program outcomes. The goal is to strengthen oversight and ensure federal funds are used effectively for child care services.