Rural Child Care Facility Expansion Act

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.