Modernize the Au Pair Program Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Reschenthaler
Introduced
Summary
Clarifies that the Department of State has exclusive federal authority over the au pair cultural exchange program. It also reaffirms nationwide standards and directs the State Department to modernize rules to help keep the program affordable and uniform.
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- Host families: preserves national rules designed to keep au pair childcare affordable for tens of thousands of U.S. families and cites a $122.0 billion estimated macroeconomic figure tied to lost earnings, productivity, and revenue.
- Military and shift workers: maintains program access used by over 10% of host families, supporting active-duty military families, first responders, single parents, and other shift workers.
- Au pairs and program sponsors: makes regulatory authority explicit so only Department of State rules apply, reducing state-by-state variation.
- States and local governments: bars states and political subdivisions from enacting or enforcing laws or regulations related to the federally administered au pair program.
- Department of State: directs the agency to advance regulatory modernization while reaffirming its exclusive role overseeing the cultural exchange program.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 0 benefits, 0 costs, 2 mixed.
New national au pair pay proposal
If enacted, within 90 days the Secretary of State would have to send a proposed rule on au pair pay to OMB. It would suggest a uniform national change to the weekly stipend and the education stipend. The proposal would factor in room, board, and other program costs and aim to keep the program affordable. It would also propose more flexibility for military families, first responders, single parents, and shift workers. This would start rulemaking and would not set final pay or binding rules yet.
Stops state au pair rules
If enacted, states and cities could not make or enforce their own au pair rules. Host families, au pairs, and sponsors would follow one federal standard in every state. This could cut paperwork and confusion. It could also remove state protections some families rely on. The change would take effect upon enactment.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Reschenthaler
PA • R
Cosponsors
Salazar
FL • R
Sponsored 6/26/2025
Rep. Issa, Darrell [R-CA-48]
CA • R
Sponsored 6/26/2025
Rep. Baumgartner, Michael [R-WA-5]
WA • R
Sponsored 8/1/2025
Rep. Lawler, Michael [R-NY-17]
NY • R
Sponsored 10/10/2025
Rep. Harrigan, Pat [R-NC-10]
NC • R
Sponsored 3/5/2026
Fitzgerald
WI • R
Sponsored 3/27/2026
Hudson
NC • R
Sponsored 4/30/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
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