After Hours Child Care Act
Sponsored By: Senator Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
Introduced
Summary
This bill would create a five-year competitive pilot to expand access to after-hours child care for parents who work evenings, nights, weekends, or variable schedules. It focuses on keeping parents employed, helping them pursue promotions, and build savings by making care available outside traditional 9-to-5 hours.
Show full summary
- Parents and families: Parents working nontraditional schedules gain more local care options tailored to evening, night, weekend, or short-notice shifts. The bill defines nontraditional hours as at least 25 percent of work time before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on weekdays, or on weekends.
- Child care providers and partners: Eligible providers or partnerships can compete for grants between $25,000 and $500,000 for up to five years to expand capacity, start family child care, obtain licensure, buy equipment, or train staff. Grants require a 25 percent nonfederal match.
- Employers and federal oversight: Businesses and intermediaries can fund onsite workplace care or enrollment-based contracts with provider networks. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must report to Congress every two years on children served, parental employment status, and outcomes.
*Authorizes $10.0 million for fiscal years 2027–2031 for the pilot, increasing federal spending by that amount.*
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
After-hours child care grants for parents
This bill would create a competitive HHS pilot to expand child care for parents who work outside 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The Secretary would award grants of $25,000–$500,000 for five-year, nonrenewable projects. The federal share would cover 75% and grantees must provide a 25% non-Federal match. Grants would fund starting or expanding programs existing as of January 1, 2027, enrollment contracts, onsite workplace care, staffing, facilities, licensing help, curriculum, and SIDS/safe sleep training. "Nontraditional work hours" would mean at least 25% of hours before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m., on weekends, or scheduled within 7 days. The bill would authorize $10 million for FY2027–2031 and require HHS reports to Congress every two years on children served, parental employment status, and grant outcomes.
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Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Sen. Young, Todd [R-IN]
IN • R
Cosponsors
Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]
NH • D
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]
NC • R
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]
VA • D
Sponsored 2/11/2026
John Hickenlooper
CO • D
Sponsored 2/11/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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