Bill > HR3304

This bill establishes a federal grant pilot program to support child care services specifically for law enforcement officers' children, recognizing the challenges posed by their shift work and nontraditional hours. The program will be administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services and will award competitive grants to lead agencies for three years, with at least 20% of funds dedicated to smaller law enforcement agencies or consortiums. Grant recipients can use funds for various child care support activities, including startup costs, provider training, financial assistance for families, care for sick or disabled children, extended hours of care, and facility construction or renovation. Eligible lead agencies must provide matching funds that increase over the grant period (from 10% to 33.3%), and child care providers must meet specific regulatory requirements. The bill authorizes $24 million annually from 2026 to 2030, with up to $2.5 million allocated for studies and administration. The program will include two comprehensive studies—one at two years and another at four years—to assess the program's effectiveness, child care capacity, and usage. The ultimate goal is to enhance recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers by addressing their child care needs during challenging work schedules.