Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-110
§9858o Parental Rights and Responsibilities
Title 42 › CHAPTER 105 — COMMUNITY SERVICES PROGRAMS › SUBCHAPTER II–B — CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT › § 9858o
Summary
Protects parents' moral and legal rights and responsibilities. Nothing here can be used to take away or replace what parents or legal guardians are allowed or expected to do. Also says the rules must not prefer grants or contracts instead of child care certificates, and must not discourage using those certificates to pay for child care from any provider, including private, nonprofit, or faith-based providers.
Full Legal Text
Title 42, §9858o
The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC
(a)In general
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed or applied in any manner to infringe on or usurp the moral and legal rights and responsibilities of parents or legal guardians.
(b)Parental rights to use child care certificates
Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed in a manner—
(1)to favor or promote the use of grants and contracts for the receipt of child care services under this subchapter over the use of child care certificates; or
(2)to disfavor or discourage the use of such certificates for the purchase of child care services, including those services provided by private or nonprofit entities, such as faith-based providers.
Legislative History
Notes & Related Subsidiaries
Editorial Notes
Amendments
2014—Subsec. (a). Pub. L. 113–186 designated existing provisions as subsec. (a), inserted heading, and added subsec. (b). 1992—Pub. L. 102–401 and Pub. L. 102–586 made identical technical corrections to directory language of Pub. L. 101–508, § 5082(2), which added this section.
Reference
Citations & Metadata
Citation
42 U.S.C. § 9858o
Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare
Last Updated
Sep 22, 2026
Release point: 119-110