Legis Daily

Rural Child Care Facility Expansion Act

USA119th CongressHR-8453| House 
| Updated: 4/22/2026
April McClain Delaney

April McClain Delaney

Democratic Representative

Maryland

Cosponsors (2)
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican)Eric Sorensen (Democratic)

Agriculture Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
The "Rural Child Care Facility Expansion Act" establishes a low-interest loan program through the Secretary of Agriculture, acting via the Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development. This program aims to support child care providers in rural communities by funding the renovation, retrofitting, expansion, and adaptation of structures. The primary goal is to significantly increase the availability of child care services, particularly in areas identified as child care deserts . A covered child care provider is defined as one primarily engaged in providing services for children from birth to compulsory school age, or school-age children outside school hours, or offering pre-school programs, provided they are licensed and conduct criminal background checks. A child care desert is a census tract where the number of children is at least three times the licensed child care capacity, or where no licensed providers exist. Loans will bear interest at the Treasury constant maturity rate plus one-eighth of one percent, with terms not exceeding 25 years. Applicants must demonstrate that their project will increase child care availability in a child care desert within a rural community, defined as a census designated place with a population under 20,000, subject to modification by the Secretary. Applications will receive a completeness notice within 30 days and an approval or disapproval notice within 90 days. Loans can be used for structural improvements, with up to 10 percent allocated for pre-development activities like planning and design. The Secretary is required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the number of loans, activities funded, child care slots created or preserved, staff employed, and demographic data of served communities.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 22, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 22, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
  • April 22, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 22, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.

Rural Child Care Facility Expansion Act

USA119th CongressHR-8453| House 
| Updated: 4/22/2026
The "Rural Child Care Facility Expansion Act" establishes a low-interest loan program through the Secretary of Agriculture, acting via the Deputy Under Secretary for Rural Development. This program aims to support child care providers in rural communities by funding the renovation, retrofitting, expansion, and adaptation of structures. The primary goal is to significantly increase the availability of child care services, particularly in areas identified as child care deserts . A covered child care provider is defined as one primarily engaged in providing services for children from birth to compulsory school age, or school-age children outside school hours, or offering pre-school programs, provided they are licensed and conduct criminal background checks. A child care desert is a census tract where the number of children is at least three times the licensed child care capacity, or where no licensed providers exist. Loans will bear interest at the Treasury constant maturity rate plus one-eighth of one percent, with terms not exceeding 25 years. Applicants must demonstrate that their project will increase child care availability in a child care desert within a rural community, defined as a census designated place with a population under 20,000, subject to modification by the Secretary. Applications will receive a completeness notice within 30 days and an approval or disapproval notice within 90 days. Loans can be used for structural improvements, with up to 10 percent allocated for pre-development activities like planning and design. The Secretary is required to submit annual reports to Congress detailing the number of loans, activities funded, child care slots created or preserved, staff employed, and demographic data of served communities.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

Get AI-generated questions to help you understand this bill better

Timeline
Apr 22, 2026
Introduced in House
Apr 22, 2026
Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
  • April 22, 2026
    Introduced in House


  • April 22, 2026
    Referred to the House Committee on Agriculture.
April McClain Delaney

April McClain Delaney

Democratic Representative

Maryland

Cosponsors (2)
Mariannette Miller-Meeks (Republican)Eric Sorensen (Democratic)

Agriculture Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted