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119-s-846119th CongressWALLET

Child Care Workforce Act

Sponsored By: Senator Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]

In Committee

Summary

Boost child care worker pay to attract and keep staff and expand affordable child care. This bill would create a federal pilot that gives competitive grants to States, Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations to supplement wages of eligible child care workers and improve care quality and availability.

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  • Families: Could see more affordable and available child care in areas with worker shortages, for infants and toddlers, for children with disabilities, and during nontraditional hours.
  • Child care workers: Would receive targeted wage supplements for low-wage eligible workers, with payments at least quarterly, plus education on taxes and public benefits. Participation is voluntary.
  • States, Tribes, and Tribal organizations: Would apply with plans showing need and prioritization and may use up to 10 percent of grant funds for administration, financial counseling, and outreach.
  • Program oversight: The Department of Health and Human Services would evaluate effects on attraction, retention, worker well-being, service quality, and affordability and report results to Congress within two years of implementation.

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Funding and start date for pilot

This bill would authorize such sums as may be necessary to run the pilot starting in fiscal year 2026. If enacted, Congress would still need to appropriate money before grants are paid. The pilot program authority and grantee obligations would begin 75 days after the date of enactment.

Wage supplements for child care workers

If enacted, HHS would run a competitive pilot to give wage supplements to eligible child care workers in selected States and Tribes. Grants must be used only to boost worker pay, with payments at least every three months. Grants must target low-wage workers and high-need areas and tell workers that taking the money is voluntary. Up to 10% of each grant may pay for administration, counseling, and outreach.

Study and report on pilot

If enacted, HHS would evaluate whether the pilot helped attract and keep child care workers, improved worker well-being, and raised care quality and affordability. HHS must send a report with the results to Congress within two years after the pilot starts.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Britt, Katie Boyd [R-AL]

AL • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2025

  • Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2025

  • Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME]

    ME • I

    Sponsored 3/4/2025

  • Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY]

    NY • D

    Sponsored 3/4/2025

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 3/6/2025

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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