Bill > HR3274

This bill establishes a comprehensive infrastructure grant program to improve child care facilities across the United States, focusing on addressing safety, capacity, and accessibility challenges, particularly in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. The bill requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct both an immediate and a long-term needs assessment of child care facilities, with a report to Congress detailing the findings. The legislation creates two primary grant mechanisms: grants to states and grants to intermediary organizations. State grants prioritize facilities serving low-income populations, young children, facilities with reduced capacity, those operating under nontraditional hours, and centers in rural or underserved communities. These grants, which can be up to $250 million annually, require a 10% matching contribution and are awarded for up to 5 years. Intermediary organization grants, capped at $15 million, will support technical assistance and financing for child care facility development. The bill includes labor standards requiring prevailing wages for construction workers, similar to the Davis-Bacon Act. An initial authorization of $10 billion is proposed for fiscal year 2026, with 3% reserved for Indian tribes, 3% for territories, and 10-15% for intermediary organizations. The ultimate goal is to improve child care infrastructure, enhance facility safety, and expand access to quality child care across diverse communities.

Budget and Finance

https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/3274/all-info