§590 Child Care

Summary

The General Services Administration must help federal agencies create and run affordable child care centers. A child care provider can be given space in a federal building if they apply in the local area, space is available, at least 50% of the children have a parent or guardian who works for the Government, and the provider will give priority to federal employees. Space given this way can be provided without charge for rent or services. “Child care provider” means someone who offers child care; “allotment officer” means the official who assigns space; and “executive facility” means a building used by the executive branch (including some GSA buildings for the judicial branch). Services covered include things like utilities, furniture and equipment, kitchen and playground items, phones, and security systems. Agencies may pay for accreditation fees, send staff to the annual Administration child care conference, and form partnerships with private groups to help cover staff pay and benefits. Agencies may also reimburse staff for training travel and per diem, but per diem may not exceed the rate in section 5707 of title 5. All workers in child care centers in executive facilities must have criminal history checks as defined in section 231 of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 13041); this does not apply to legislative branch facilities. Under OPM rules, agencies may use available salary-and-expense funds to provide child care and must target help to make care more affordable for lower-income federal employees. Payments may be made in advance to licensed providers despite section 3324 of title 31. Using money this way requires advance notice to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, except the House and Senate have special rules for their own operations.