Head Start Ditches COVID Rules: Deregulation Hits Playtime
Published Date: 12/19/2025
Rule
Summary
Starting February 17, 2026, Head Start programs won’t have to follow the COVID-19 mitigation policy rule anymore. This change affects all Head Start centers, removing the need to create special COVID-19 plans with their health advisors. It’s a move to cut red tape and make things simpler, with no new costs involved.
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Head Start COVID-19 Policy Requirement Removed
Starting February 17, 2026 (unless adverse comments are received by January 20, 2026), Head Start programs will no longer be required to have an evidence-based COVID-19 mitigation policy developed in consultation with their Health and Mental Health Services Advisory Committee (HMHSAC). The rule rescinds paragraph 1302.47(b)(9) from the Head Start Program Performance Standards and applies to all Head Start centers.
Paperwork Burden Cut — $17,312 Annual Savings
ACF estimates this rescission will save about $17,312 per year by removing an OMB-approved recordkeeping requirement (OMB control number 0970-0148) tied to updating program policies and procedures. The estimate is based on eliminating 320 annual burden hours at a fully loaded wage rate of $54.10, with a present value of $0.23 million and $0.02 million in annualized terms (2024 dollars, 7% discount rate).
Your PRIA Score
Personalized for You
How does this regulation affect your finances?
Sign up for a PRIA Policy Scan to see your personalized alignment score for this federal register document and every other regulation we track. We analyze your financial profile against policy provisions to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.
Key Dates
Department and Agencies
Related Federal Register Documents
2026-09383 — Restoring Flexibility To Support Head Start Program Access
The government wants to give Head Start programs more freedom by removing some strict rules about staff wages and benefits. This change aims to save over $2 billion and help programs serve more kids better. If you want to share your thoughts, make sure to comment by June 11, 2026!
2026-06632 — Work Participation Rate Calculation Changes: Recalibration of the Caseload Reduction Credit and Prohibition of Small Checks in Work Participation Rate Calculation
The government is updating how it measures work participation for families getting help through TANF. They’re changing the base year for counting caseload drops from 2005 to 2015 and won’t count tiny monthly payments under $35 in work rate calculations. These changes, required by a 2023 law, affect states and could impact funding starting soon, so everyone should pay attention and share their thoughts by May 6, 2026.
2026-09749 — Submission for Office of Management and Budget Review; Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Consumer Education Website and Reports of Serious Injuries and Death
The government is asking to keep the Child Care Consumer Education website and serious injury/death reporting rules for three more years, with no changes to how states and providers report. This affects all states, DC, and territories that get child care funds, helping families stay informed and safe. Comments are open until June 15, 2026, and the paperwork burden has been slightly lowered.
2026-09620 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Community Services Block Grant Disaster Supplemental Annual Report (New Collection)
The government wants to start collecting a new annual report about how disaster relief money from Hurricanes Fiona and Ian is being used to help low-income families recover. This affects states like Florida, South Carolina, and Puerto Rico, plus any future disaster funding. They’re asking for public feedback by July 13, 2026, to make sure the report works well without causing extra hassle or costs.
2026-09623 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Guidance for Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program, ACF-123
Tribal groups running Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) programs will see clearer, simpler instructions for submitting their plans. These updates cut the time it takes to respond by about a third, making the process faster and easier. Comments on these changes are open until July 13, 2026, and the guidance extension lasts three more years with no extra costs.
2026-08989 — Proposed Information Collection Activity; Evaluation of the Next Generation Child Support Employment Services Demonstration-New Information Collection Request
The government is launching a 5-year project called NextGen to help noncustodial parents get better jobs and pay child support more consistently. Ten child support agencies across the U.S. will try out new programs, and researchers will study how well these efforts work. If you’re involved with these agencies or interested in child support, now’s the time to share your thoughts before July 6, 2026!
Previous / Next Documents
Previous: 2025-23425 — Special Assessment Collection
The FDIC is lowering the special assessment rate banks pay to cover losses from protecting uninsured depositors, dropping it from 3.36 to 2.97 basis points starting December 19, 2025. Banks affected by this will also get credits if the FDIC collects more than needed after key legal cases and receiverships end. This change helps keep fees fair and avoids overcharging while recovering costs responsibly.
Next: 2025-23460 — Excise Tax on Repurchase of Corporate Stock; Correction
The IRS fixed some small mistakes in the rules about the excise tax on companies buying back their own stock. These corrections clear up confusing parts of the original rules that started applying after December 31, 2022. If you’re a company dealing with stock repurchases, these updates take effect December 19, 2025, so keep an eye on your tax paperwork!