Bill > S535

This bill reauthorizes the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 with several significant changes aimed at improving access to childcare and supporting relative caregivers. The bill increases funding to $14 billion annually from 2026-2031 and mandates that states provide child care certificates to parents, which can be used to pay for childcare services, including payments to relative caregivers like grandparents, adult siblings, aunts, and uncles. The legislation ensures that relative caregivers receive at least 75% of the rate paid to family child care providers and creates new protections for working and newly married parents by allowing them to continue receiving assistance under certain circumstances. The bill also establishes pilot programs to prevent fraud in childcare assistance and to increase relative caregiving, including a requirement for a comprehensive report on regulations that currently prevent family members from serving as childcare providers. Additionally, the bill removes the existing tax credit for household and dependent care services, making consequential amendments to the tax code. A key goal of the legislation is to provide more flexibility and support for parents in choosing childcare options while supporting relative caregivers.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/senate-bill/535/all-info