Safeguarding Taxpayer Dollars in Child Care Act of 2026

This legislation seeks to strengthen anti-fraud measures within federal child care programs by amending both the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 and the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act. It directs the Secretary to investigate fraud related to financial assistance under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Program and mandates the permanent debarment of any child care provider against whom a final determination of fraud has been made. A final determination of fraud includes actions such as knowingly submitting false statements, misrepresenting services or eligibility, operating without proper licensing, or improper expenditure of funds. Furthermore, the bill extends these anti-fraud provisions to the Child and Adult Care Food Program, requiring the permanent debarment of institutions or homes terminated due to fraud. It also establishes a system of reciprocal debarment , meaning that a provider debarred from one program will automatically be debarred from the other. This comprehensive approach aims to safeguard taxpayer dollars by preventing fraudulent entities from accessing federal funding for child care and food services.