PRIA Logo™
S3845119th CongressWALLET

After Hours Child Care Act

Sponsored By: Senator Young, Todd [R-IN]

Introduced

Summary

This bill would create a five-year competitive pilot to expand access to after-hours child care for parents who work evenings, nights, weekends, or variable schedules. It focuses on keeping parents employed, helping them pursue promotions, and build savings by making care available outside traditional 9-to-5 hours.

Show full summary
  • Parents and families: Parents working nontraditional schedules gain more local care options tailored to evening, night, weekend, or short-notice shifts. The bill defines nontraditional hours as at least 25 percent of work time before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m. on weekdays, or on weekends.
  • Child care providers and partners: Eligible providers or partnerships can compete for grants between $25,000 and $500,000 for up to five years to expand capacity, start family child care, obtain licensure, buy equipment, or train staff. Grants require a 25 percent nonfederal match.
  • Employers and federal oversight: Businesses and intermediaries can fund onsite workplace care or enrollment-based contracts with provider networks. The Secretary of Health and Human Services must report to Congress every two years on children served, parental employment status, and outcomes.

*Authorizes $10.0 million for fiscal years 2027–2031 for the pilot, increasing federal spending by that amount.*

Personalized for You

How does this bill affect your finances?

Personalize government policy and PRIA will tell you what this bill means for your household, plus every other piece of legislation we track. PRIA reads each provision against your financial profile to show you exactly what matters to your wallet.

Free to download

Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

1 provisions identified: 1 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

After-hours child care grants for parents

This bill would create a competitive HHS pilot to expand child care for parents who work outside 9 a.m.–5 p.m. The Secretary would award grants of $25,000–$500,000 for five-year, nonrenewable projects. The federal share would cover 75% and grantees must provide a 25% non-Federal match. Grants would fund starting or expanding programs existing as of January 1, 2027, enrollment contracts, onsite workplace care, staffing, facilities, licensing help, curriculum, and SIDS/safe sleep training. "Nontraditional work hours" would mean at least 25% of hours before 9 a.m. or after 5 p.m., on weekends, or scheduled within 7 days. The bill would authorize $10 million for FY2027–2031 and require HHS reports to Congress every two years on children served, parental employment status, and grant outcomes.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Young, Todd [R-IN]

IN • R

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Hassan, Margaret Wood [D-NH]

    NH • D

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

  • Sen. Tillis, Thomas [R-NC]

    NC • R

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

  • Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA]

    VA • D

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

  • Sen. Hickenlooper, John W. [D-CO]

    CO • D

    Sponsored 2/11/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

View on Congress.gov
Back to Legislation