Child Care for Every Community Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 5658
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Families
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-02-04: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Ms. Ocasio-Cortez asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 5658, a bill originally introduced by Representative Sherrill, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
- Last Updated
- 2026-06-09T08:06:34Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation
The Child Care for Every Community Act (H.R. 5658) aims to create a nationwide system of universal child care and early learning programs for all children who are not yet required to attend school. It seeks to ensure these programs are affordable, high-quality, and accessible regardless of family income, background, or location. By promoting children's cognitive, social, emotional, and physical development, the Act supports school readiness and family well-being, building on existing programs like Head Start while involving communities in decision-making.
Key Provisions
The bill is divided into two titles, focusing on program establishment, funding, standards, and coordination.
Title I: Child Care and Early Learning Programs
- Entitlement and Eligibility: Every eligible child (under compulsory school age, regardless of income, disability, citizenship, or family employment status) is entitled to participate in a program meeting federal standards. Programs must be full-day (at least 10 hours) and full-year, with options for nonstandard hours.
- Funding and Allocations:
- Authorizes "such sums as may be necessary" for core programs starting in fiscal year 2026, plus $500 million annually (2026–2036) for administration, training, and enhancements.
- Federal share covers 90% of costs generally, 100% for children of migrant/seasonal farmworkers, Native American children, and certain administrative expenses.
- Non-federal share (up to 10%) can come from public/private sources or family fees; fees are capped at 7% of family income via a sliding scale (0% for low-income families, up to 7% for higher incomes above 150% of state median).
- Maintenance of effort: States/localities cannot reduce their child care spending due to federal funds.
- Prime Sponsors and Administration:
- Designates states, localities, Indian Tribes, Tribal organizations, or nonprofits as "prime sponsors" to plan and deliver services via comprehensive annual plans.
- Plans must assess community needs, ensure equity (prioritizing low-income, disabled, dual language learner, homeless, and foster children), provide comprehensive services (health, nutrition, family support), and involve parents/stakeholders.
- Requires Child Care and Early Learning Councils for governance, with diverse representation (parents, providers, community members) and conflict-of-interest rules.
- Delegate providers (e.g., centers, family homes) can receive funds but must meet standards.
- Standards and Quality:
- Establishes national "Federal Standards for Child Care and Early Learning Services" (issued within 18 months), covering health/safety, curricula, facilities, and staff qualifications—modeled on Head Start and military child care.
- Mandates research-based curricula, developmental screenings, and assessments (not for punishing providers or denying access).
- Prohibits or limits suspensions/expulsions for behavior; requires support for children with challenges.
- Facilities must meet a uniform code for health/safety; capital funds allowed for construction/renovation if needed.
- Workforce and Training:
- Staff must meet qualifications (e.g., education, training in child development, abuse prevention), phased in over 6 years.
- Compensation: Wages/benefits comparable to local public school staff or military child care rates, at least a living wage; annual adjustments for inflation.
- Requires curriculum support, professional development, and union recognition for bargaining on wages/hours.
- Outreach to recruit diverse workforce; grants for training via unions, colleges (prioritizing minority-serving institutions).
- Special Supports:
- Coordination with K-12 schools for smooth transitions, including record-sharing and parent training.
- Nutrition via existing federal programs (e.g., Child and Adult Care Food Program).
- Supplemental funds for high-need areas (e.g., rural, Tribal lands) to scale services or boost federal share.
- Research/demonstrations on program effectiveness, disparities, and inclusive practices; biennial reports to Congress on participation, costs, and outcomes.
- Protections: Nondiscrimination, parental consent for exams, confidentiality of data (like FERPA for schools), and appeals/hearings for disputes.
Title II: Related Programs
- Amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG) to require states to maintain spending levels and limit CCDBG services to children ineligible under this Act.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Expands Access: Unlike means-tested programs like CCDBG or Head Start, this creates an uncapped federal entitlement for all young children, shifting from targeted aid to universal coverage.
- National Standards: Introduces binding federal performance standards, facilities codes, and workforce pay requirements, harmonizing with but surpassing Head Start/military models; phases in over time to avoid disruptions.
- Funding Model: Replaces block grants with direct entitlements to prime sponsors (90–100% federal), capping family fees and mandating living wages—altering fragmented state funding.
- Governance: Mandates local councils and union involvement, prohibiting anti-union activities; adds Tribal exclusivity on Tribal lands.
- CCDBG Integration: Ties into existing law by enforcing maintenance of effort and preventing overlap/duplication.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) becomes the lead administrator via the Office of Child Care, coordinating with Education, Agriculture, and others; requires new committees, monitoring, and reporting, increasing federal oversight and costs (potentially billions annually).
- Citizens: Families gain free or low-cost, high-quality child care, enabling more parents (especially low-income/working) to join the workforce; children benefit from early education, potentially reducing achievement gaps. Providers see stabilized funding but must meet stricter standards.
- International Relations: No direct impact; focuses on domestic policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Families and Children: All young children and parents, with priority for low-income (≤200% poverty), disabled, dual language learners, homeless/foster, migrant/seasonal farmworker, Native American, and Native Hawaiian families—universal access promotes equity.
- Providers and Workforce: Child care centers, family home providers, teachers/staff (millions potentially), unions, and training institutions; benefits from higher pay/training but requires compliance.
- Communities and Governments: States, localities, Tribes/Tribal organizations as prime sponsors; local educational agencies for coordination; businesses/faith groups via partnerships.
- Federal Entities: HHS (primary), Education (transitions), and nonprofits/researchers for implementation/evaluation.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Expands federal spending under the Spending Clause (U.S. Const. art. I, § 8), with strong enforcement (e.g., withholding funds for noncompliance); aligns with Individuals with Disabilities Education Act for referrals but adds privacy rules like FERPA. Potential challenges on federal overreach into state education/child welfare.
- Constitutional: Supports equal protection (14th Amendment) by addressing disparities; no direct free speech/religion issues, though faith-based providers must follow nondiscrimination.
- Political: Represents a major expansion of social welfare, akin to universal pre-K proposals; could spark debates on costs, federalism (state roles), and workforce mandates (e.g., unions). Biennial reports enable oversight; phased implementation eases adoption but ties to appropriations.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Sherrill, Mikie [D-NJ-11]
Cosponsors (60)
Rep. Jacobs, Sara [D-CA-51], Rep. Jackson, Jonathan L. [D-IL-1], Rep. Chu, Judy [D-CA-28], Rep. Horsford, Steven [D-NV-4], Rep. Beyer, Donald S. [D-VA-8], Rep. Bonamici, Suzanne [D-OR-1], Rep. Sánchez, Linda T. [D-CA-38], Rep. Thompson, Bennie G. [D-MS-2], Rep. Scanlon, Mary Gay [D-PA-5], Rep. Vargas, Juan [D-CA-52], Rep. Balint, Becca [D-VT-At Large], Rep. Lynch, Stephen F. [D-MA-8], Rep. Meng, Grace [D-NY-6], Rep. Tlaib, Rashida [D-MI-12], Rep. Jayapal, Pramila [D-WA-7], Rep. Morelle, Joseph D. [D-NY-25], Rep. Escobar, Veronica [D-TX-16], Rep. Evans, Dwight [D-PA-3], Rep. Barragán, Nanette Diaz [D-CA-44], Rep. Tonko, Paul [D-NY-20], Rep. Lee, Summer L. [D-PA-12], Rep. Ramirez, Delia C. [D-IL-3], Rep. Deluzio, Christopher R. [D-PA-17], Rep. Clarke, Yvette D. [D-NY-9], Rep. Garcia, Robert [D-CA-42], Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9], Rep. Davis, Danny K. [D-IL-7], Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8], Rep. Dingell, Debbie [D-MI-6], Rep. Nadler, Jerrold [D-NY-12], Rep. DeSaulnier, Mark [D-CA-10], Rep. Tokuda, Jill N. [D-HI-2], Rep. McGarvey, Morgan [D-KY-3], Rep. Lieu, Ted [D-CA-36], Rep. DeGette, Diana [D-CO-1], Rep. Levin, Mike [D-CA-49], Rep. Dean, Madeleine [D-PA-4], Rep. Norcross, Donald [D-NJ-1], Rep. Trahan, Lori [D-MA-3], Rep. Velázquez, Nydia M. [D-NY-7], Rep. Stansbury, Melanie A. [D-NM-1], Rep. Brown, Shontel M. [D-OH-11], Rep. Clark, Katherine M. [D-MA-5], Rep. Thanedar, Shri [D-MI-13], Rep. Pressley, Ayanna [D-MA-7], Rep. Salinas, Andrea [D-OR-6], Rep. Magaziner, Seth [D-RI-2], Rep. Simon, Lateefah [D-CA-12], Rep. García, Jesús G. "Chuy" [D-IL-4], Rep. Menendez, Robert [D-NJ-8] and 10 more
Recent Actions
- 2026-02-04: ASSUMING FIRST SPONSORSHIP - Ms. Ocasio-Cortez asked unanimous consent that she may hereafter be considered as the first sponsor of H.R. 5658, a bill originally introduced by Representative Sherrill, for the purpose of adding cosponsors and requesting reprintings pursuant to clause 7 of rule XII. Agreed to without objection.
- 2025-09-30: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
- 2025-09-30: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Child Care for Every Community Act — issued 2025-09-30 — PDF (138 pages)