Bill > S1867

This bill, the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Act of 2023, authorizes the Secretary of Agriculture to establish the "Expanding Childcare in Rural America Initiative." This initiative will provide priority funding for fiscal years 2024 through 2028 to address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in agricultural and rural communities. The bill defines "childcare" as any program that provides quality care and early education for young children in kindergarten or below, operated by eligible providers. The Secretary will give priority to qualified applicants proposing to use the funding to address childcare issues in these communities, particularly in farming-dependent counties, and ensure a balanced geographical distribution of the benefits. The Secretary is also required to conduct an evaluation and report on the economic and social impacts of the investments within three years of enactment.