Legis Daily

Building Child Care for a Better Future Act

USA119th CongressS-1285| Senate 
| Updated: 4/3/2025
Ron Wyden

Ron Wyden

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (11)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Andy Kim (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Finance Committee

  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted
This legislation aims to substantially increase federal investment in child care services across the United States. It amends the Social Security Act to provide significant and sustained funding to improve the supply, quality, and accessibility of child care , while also supporting the child care workforce. The bill seeks to address critical gaps in child care availability and affordability, particularly in underserved communities. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the bill appropriates an initial $20 billion for grants to states, territories, and Indian tribes, with annual increases tied to inflation or the previous year's amount. A portion of these funds is specifically reserved for tribal organizations, territories, technical assistance, and research to ensure equitable distribution and program effectiveness. These funds are integrated into the existing Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, adhering to its established requirements and limitations. In addition to the core funding, the bill establishes a new, dedicated annual appropriation of $5 billion for grants specifically designed to improve the child care workforce, supply, quality, and access in areas of particular need. These grants also allocate specific percentages for Indian tribes, territories, technical assistance, and program evaluation. States, territories, and tribal organizations must submit detailed plans outlining how they will identify and address these high-need areas, including community engagement strategies. The targeted grant funds can be used for a wide array of activities, such as contracting with providers to secure child care slots, expanding family child care networks, and offering start-up funding and technical assistance to providers. Crucially, the bill emphasizes supporting the child care workforce through recruitment, training, professional development, and increasing total compensation to ensure a living wage and retention. Funds can also be used for facility improvements, including construction and renovation, with specific provisions for federal interest and prevailing wage requirements. These new grants do not require state matching funds, but states must certify that federal funds supplement, rather than supplant , existing state child care expenditures and maintain a minimum level of state funding. Priority for these grants is given to services operating during non-traditional hours, serving vulnerable populations like dual language learners or children with disabilities, and those in rural communities. The legislation mandates comprehensive reporting and regular evaluations by the Secretary to assess the impact of these investments on child care supply and quality, with findings made publicly available.
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Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1842
Building Child Care for a Better Future Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2013
Building Child Care for a Better Future Act
Apr 2, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2595
Introduced in House
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 3, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1842
    Building Child Care for a Better Future Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2013
    Building Child Care for a Better Future Act


  • April 2, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2595
    Introduced in House


  • April 3, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 3, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.

Families

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2595: Building Child Care for a Better Future Act

Building Child Care for a Better Future Act

USA119th CongressS-1285| Senate 
| Updated: 4/3/2025
This legislation aims to substantially increase federal investment in child care services across the United States. It amends the Social Security Act to provide significant and sustained funding to improve the supply, quality, and accessibility of child care , while also supporting the child care workforce. The bill seeks to address critical gaps in child care availability and affordability, particularly in underserved communities. Beginning in fiscal year 2026, the bill appropriates an initial $20 billion for grants to states, territories, and Indian tribes, with annual increases tied to inflation or the previous year's amount. A portion of these funds is specifically reserved for tribal organizations, territories, technical assistance, and research to ensure equitable distribution and program effectiveness. These funds are integrated into the existing Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) program, adhering to its established requirements and limitations. In addition to the core funding, the bill establishes a new, dedicated annual appropriation of $5 billion for grants specifically designed to improve the child care workforce, supply, quality, and access in areas of particular need. These grants also allocate specific percentages for Indian tribes, territories, technical assistance, and program evaluation. States, territories, and tribal organizations must submit detailed plans outlining how they will identify and address these high-need areas, including community engagement strategies. The targeted grant funds can be used for a wide array of activities, such as contracting with providers to secure child care slots, expanding family child care networks, and offering start-up funding and technical assistance to providers. Crucially, the bill emphasizes supporting the child care workforce through recruitment, training, professional development, and increasing total compensation to ensure a living wage and retention. Funds can also be used for facility improvements, including construction and renovation, with specific provisions for federal interest and prevailing wage requirements. These new grants do not require state matching funds, but states must certify that federal funds supplement, rather than supplant , existing state child care expenditures and maintain a minimum level of state funding. Priority for these grants is given to services operating during non-traditional hours, serving vulnerable populations like dual language learners or children with disabilities, and those in rural communities. The legislation mandates comprehensive reporting and regular evaluations by the Secretary to assess the impact of these investments on child care supply and quality, with findings made publicly available.
View Full Text

Suggested Questions

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

Timeline

Bill from Previous Congress

S 117-1842
Building Child Care for a Better Future Act

Bill from Previous Congress

S 118-2013
Building Child Care for a Better Future Act
Apr 2, 2025

Latest Companion Bill Action

HR 119-2595
Introduced in House
Apr 3, 2025
Introduced in Senate
Apr 3, 2025
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 117-1842
    Building Child Care for a Better Future Act


  • Bill from Previous Congress

    S 118-2013
    Building Child Care for a Better Future Act


  • April 2, 2025

    Latest Companion Bill Action

    HR 119-2595
    Introduced in House


  • April 3, 2025
    Introduced in Senate


  • April 3, 2025
    Read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance.
Ron Wyden

Ron Wyden

Democratic Senator

Oregon

Cosponsors (11)
Jeanne Shaheen (Democratic)Richard J. Durbin (Democratic)Edward J. Markey (Democratic)Elizabeth Warren (Democratic)Alex Padilla (Democratic)Tina Smith (Democratic)Bernard Sanders (Independent)Andy Kim (Democratic)Cory A. Booker (Democratic)Peter Welch (Democratic)Jeff Merkley (Democratic)

Finance Committee

Families

Related Bills

  • HR 119-2595: Building Child Care for a Better Future Act
  • Introduced
  • In Committee
  • On Floor
  • Passed Chamber
  • Enacted