A bill to direct the Secretary of Agriculture to establish an initiative to address the availability, quality, and cost of childcare in rural areas, and for other purposes.

Priority funding for rural childcare programs

If enacted, the bill would create the Expanding Childcare in Rural America Initiative at the Department of Agriculture. For fiscal years 2027 through 2029, the Secretary would give selection priority to loan and grant applicants that use funds to address availability, quality, or cost of childcare in rural areas. Priority would apply to four USDA programs, including essential community facilities loans and grants, business and industry loans, rural microentrepreneur assistance, and intermediary relending. The bill would define "childcare" to mean programs serving children before first grade and would expressly include school-based programs and Head Start. To qualify, a program would need to be run by an eligible CCDBG provider or be licensed, regulated, or registered in its State, territory, or Tribal area as of enactment and meet applicable health and safety requirements. The Secretary would be required to ensure a balanced geographic distribution of Initiative benefits, complete a comprehensive evaluation of Initiative-funded projects within 3 years, and report the evaluation results to the House and Senate agriculture committees within 4 years.