Child Care Access and Affordability Act of 2025

Bill Number

H.R. 6656

Origin Chamber

House

Congress

119th Congress, Session 1

Policy Area

Families

Status

Introduced

Latest Action

2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Last Updated

2026-01-08T15:26:03Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

The Child Care Access and Affordability Act of 2025 (H.R. 6656) aims to address challenges in accessing child care services funded by the federal Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBG). It requires a study by the Government Accountability Office (GAO)—an independent agency that audits and evaluates government programs—to examine barriers caused by inflation and state eligibility rules, with the goal of informing Congress on ways to improve affordability and availability.

Key Provisions

• Mandated Study: The GAO must conduct a comprehensive study on all states regarding access to CCDBG-funded child care services (which provide subsidies to low-income families for child care).
• Timeline and Reporting: The study must be completed and reported to relevant congressional committees (likely those overseeing education and workforce issues) no later than 18 months after the bill's enactment.
• Study Focus Areas:
• Barriers for children and parents in meeting state income eligibility limits (based on state median income thresholds).
• The size of waitlists for child care applicants and any state-level changes that have successfully reduced these waitlists.
• Payment rates under CCDBG to different types of providers, including center-based (like daycare centers), family-based (home-based care), and other compensated child care services.
• The effects of inflation on child care availability and affordability, including how it influences family access to services and provider payment rates.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This bill does not directly amend the CCDBG or other laws. Instead, it introduces a one-time requirement for the GAO to perform and report on a specific study. This adds a new oversight mechanism without altering eligibility rules, funding levels, or program operations.

Potential Impacts

• On Government Agencies: The GAO will need to allocate resources for the study, potentially involving data collection from states and program administrators. Congress may use the findings to propose future reforms to the Department of Health and Human Services (which oversees CCDBG).
• On Citizens: Families, especially low- and moderate-income parents, could indirectly benefit if the study leads to policy changes that reduce waitlists, adjust eligibility for inflation, or increase subsidies, making child care more accessible and affordable.
• On International Relations: No direct impacts, as this is a domestic program focused on U.S. child care policy.
• Broader Effects: The study could highlight economic pressures like inflation, potentially influencing national discussions on family support and workforce participation (e.g., enabling parents to work).

Main Stakeholders Affected

• Families and Parents: Primary beneficiaries, particularly those facing income-based barriers or waitlists for subsidized child care.
• Child Care Providers: Centers, family homes, and other operators who receive CCDBG payments; the study examines their reimbursement rates.
• State Governments: Responsible for setting eligibility standards and managing waitlists; findings may prompt state-level adjustments.
• Federal Entities: GAO (conducts the study), Congress (receives the report), and the Department of Health and Human Services (administers the program).
• Advocacy Groups: Organizations focused on child care affordability and family policy may use the report to push for changes.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

• Legal: The bill is straightforward and complies with congressional authority to direct GAO studies under the Government Accountability Office Act. No challenges to existing statutes are anticipated.
• Constitutional: Aligns with Congress's spending power and oversight of federal grants; no issues related to federalism, as it studies state implementation without mandating changes.
• Political: Highlights bipartisan interest in child care (introduced by representatives from both parties), potentially fueling debates on inflation's role in social programs. The findings could influence future appropriations or reforms, such as updating CCDBG for economic realities, but outcomes depend on congressional action post-report.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8]

Cosponsors (1)

Rep. Kiggans, Jennifer A. [R-VA-2]

Recent Actions

• 2025-12-11: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
• 2025-12-11: Introduced in House
• 2025-12-11: Introduced in House

Bill Versions

• Child Care Access and Affordability Act of 2025 — issued 2025-12-11 — PDF (2 pages)