Judiciary Committee, Education and Workforce Committee
Introduced
In Committee
On Floor
Passed Chamber
Enacted
This bill amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to establish new measures for noncompliance due to fraud by child care providers. It defines fraud to include knowingly submitting false statements, misrepresenting program details, operating without required licensing, or improper expenditure of federal funds. Upon a final determination of fraud, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must require states to reimburse fraudulently obtained funds or deduct the amount from future allotments, and also impose mandatory permanent debarment on the provider from all federal child care assistance programs. This debarment is irreversible, and the Secretary must refer such cases for federal criminal investigation. The legislation also introduces significant immigration consequences for alien child care providers who commit fraud. Such individuals would be deemed inadmissible to the United States, deportable , and ineligible for asylum, adjustment of status, and a finding of good moral character . It further mandates expedited removal and detention for these alien providers. Additionally, the bill expands inadmissibility criteria for alien child care providers who have supported terrorist organizations, such as Al-Shabaab, with fraudulently obtained funds. To ensure immediate implementation, certain provisions allow for exemptions from the Paperwork Reduction Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, and the immigration amendments apply retroactively to fraudulent conduct committed by aliens since September 30, 1996, regardless of prior charges.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
This bill amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to establish new measures for noncompliance due to fraud by child care providers. It defines fraud to include knowingly submitting false statements, misrepresenting program details, operating without required licensing, or improper expenditure of federal funds. Upon a final determination of fraud, the Secretary of Health and Human Services must require states to reimburse fraudulently obtained funds or deduct the amount from future allotments, and also impose mandatory permanent debarment on the provider from all federal child care assistance programs. This debarment is irreversible, and the Secretary must refer such cases for federal criminal investigation. The legislation also introduces significant immigration consequences for alien child care providers who commit fraud. Such individuals would be deemed inadmissible to the United States, deportable , and ineligible for asylum, adjustment of status, and a finding of good moral character . It further mandates expedited removal and detention for these alien providers. Additionally, the bill expands inadmissibility criteria for alien child care providers who have supported terrorist organizations, such as Al-Shabaab, with fraudulently obtained funds. To ensure immediate implementation, certain provisions allow for exemptions from the Paperwork Reduction Act and the Administrative Procedure Act, and the immigration amendments apply retroactively to fraudulent conduct committed by aliens since September 30, 1996, regardless of prior charges.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
Referred to the Committee on the Judiciary, and in addition to the Committee on Education and Workforce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.