Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025
Sponsored By: Representative Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
Introduced
Summary
Expand access to quality child care in designated child care deserts. This bill would create two competitive grant programs for States and Tribal entities to build the child care workforce and to fund construction or renovation of child care facilities.
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Bill Overview
Analyzed Economic Effects
2 provisions identified: 2 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.
Grants to grow child care in deserts
If enacted, the government would offer competitive grants to States and Tribal entities to expand child care in "child care deserts." The bill would authorize $100 million for 2025–2031. Grants could last up to 5 years. The federal share would cover 50% of project costs; States or Tribes would match the rest with cash or in‑kind help. Up to 10% of each grant could pay administrative costs. Workforce funds could pay tuition, fees, textbooks, and training capacity. Facility funds could pay to build, expand, or renovate sites, buy equipment, or be re‑lent as loans. Child care deserts would mean areas with far fewer licensed slots than children under age 5, or places the State or Tribe says have low supply.
Rules to apply for child care grants
States and Tribal entities would need to name a lead agency and file detailed plans. Workforce plans would show how training helps people earn portable, stackable credentials and reach people without degrees or who cannot afford school. They would help with tuition, fees, and materials, and aim to add affordable and off‑hours care and improve provider pay or retention. Facility plans would show how building or renovations add family child care supply and affordable, off‑hours care. The bill would set key definitions using existing federal laws and guidance, and HHS would run the program after consulting Education and Labor. Applicants would coordinate with Perkins and WIOA and encourage using Pell Grants and other aid first.
Sponsors & CoSponsors
Sponsor
Harder, Josh [D-CA-9]
CA • D
Cosponsors
Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1]
PA • R
Sponsored 1/21/2025
Elfreth
MD • D
Sponsored 2/25/2025
Rep. Suozzi, Thomas R. [D-NY-3]
NY • D
Sponsored 1/30/2026
Roll Call Votes
No roll call votes available for this bill.
View on Congress.gov