Title 42 — The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-73
§9858o Parental rights and responsibilities
Title 42 › Chapter CHAPTER 105— - COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS › Subchapter SUBCHAPTER II–B— - CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT › § 9858o
Summary
Protects parents' personal and legal authority and duties so programs under this subchapter cannot take them away or override them. These programs also must not prefer grants and contracts over child-care certificates (vouchers), or discourage using certificates for private, nonprofit, or faith-based providers.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §9858o
The Public Health and Welfare — Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed or applied in any manner to infringe on or usurp the moral and legal rights and responsibilities of parents or legal guardians.
(b)Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed in a manner—
(1)to favor or promote the use of grants and contracts for the receipt of child care services under this subchapter over the use of child care certificates; or
(2)to disfavor or discourage the use of such certificates for the purchase of child care services, including those services provided by private or nonprofit entities, such as faith-based providers.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–186 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b). 1992—Pub. L. 102–401 and Pub. L. 102–586 made identical technical corrections to directory language of Pub. L. 101–508, § 5082(2), which added this section.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 9858o
Title 42 — The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Apr 6, 2026
Release point: 119-73