Child Care Infrastructure Act
Sponsored By: Representative Clark (MA)
Introduced
Summary
Creates a federal child care infrastructure grant program to fund construction, renovation, and expansion of child care facilities that serve low-income, very young, rural, and other high-need communities. It would pay for planning, testing, and capacity building and require Davis-Bacon wage standards on covered construction work.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
4 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 1 mixed.
Grants to expand child care space
If enacted, the bill would put $10 billion into grants from FY 2026 through FY 2030 to build, buy, or improve child care sites. States could get awards for up to five years, capped at $250 million per year, and non-tribal states would need a 10% match. The Secretary would reserve 3% for tribes and 3% for territories. Ten to fifteen percent could fund intermediary groups that provide loans and technical help; any single intermediary grant would be capped at $15 million. Plans that cover center and home-based care and reach urban, suburban, and rural areas would be favored.
Nationwide review of child care facilities
If enacted, the Secretary would run two studies of child care facilities. The first, done with the first grant cycle, would review current needs and COVID-19 effects, with a public report due within one year of enactment. The second, longer study would report within four years. No more than $5 million of program funds could be used for the immediate study. A final public report on grant effects would be due by the end of FY 2030.
More access for tribes and territories
If enacted, tribes and the Northern Mariana Islands would count as “States” for this program, so they could apply directly. Program grants to territories would not count against the Social Security Act cap on total territorial payments. This would help tribes and territories access the full grant funding.
Prevailing wages on child care projects
If enacted, any construction or renovation paid with these grants would have to pay local Davis–Bacon prevailing wages. Applicants would need to promise compliance before funds are approved. The Labor Department would enforce this rule. This could raise pay for workers and could raise some project costs.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Clark (MA)
MA • D
Cosponsors
Bonamici
OR • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Gomez
CA • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
McClellan
VA • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Pettersen, Brittany [D-CO-7]
CO • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2]
HI • D
Sponsored 5/8/2025
Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5]
PA • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
McBride
DE • D
Sponsored 7/23/2025
Rep. Pappas, Chris [D-NH-1]
NH • D
Sponsored 4/23/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov