Rural Child Care Access Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8456
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Families
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-22: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-07T21:06:12Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose This legislation establishes a federal grant program to fund infrastructure improvements in child care facilities serving small and rural communities, with the goal of expanding access to child care in areas with limited populations.
Key Provisions
- Grant Program Creation: The Secretary of Health and Human Services may award grants to state and local child care facilities located in jurisdictions with fewer than 50,000 residents.
- Allowable Uses: Funds must support projects to modify, upgrade, or build facilities that directly relate to improving child care services, training providers, recruiting or retaining staff, or engaging the community. Funds cannot be used for parts of a facility without this connection.
- Application and Limits: Facilities must submit an application with cost estimates and proof of financial need. Individual grants cannot exceed $4,000,000.
- Secretary Responsibilities: The Secretary must issue guidance within 120 days, share program information with eligible facilities, ensure equitable geographic distribution of grants, and submit reports to Congress every two years for six years detailing project progress, community impacts, and ongoing needs.
- Funding Authorization: Up to $250,000,000 is authorized annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029.
- Additional Study: The Secretary must periodically publish a study on construction and renovation needs across a national sample of child care facilities.
Significant Changes to Existing Law The bill creates a new, time-limited grant program administered by the Department of Health and Human Services. It does not amend or repeal any existing statutes but adds targeted federal support for rural child care infrastructure.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for the Department of Health and Human Services, including grant oversight, reporting, and equitable distribution efforts.
- Citizens and Communities: May improve child care availability and quality in small and rural areas, potentially benefiting working families and local economies.
- No Notable International Effects: The legislation focuses exclusively on domestic facilities and does not address international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Small and rural child care facilities and their operators.
- State and local governments responsible for child care programs.
- Child care providers and staff seeking training or retention support.
- Families and communities in jurisdictions under 50,000 residents.
- The Department of Health and Human Services as the administering agency.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill relies on Congress’s authority to appropriate funds for domestic programs and raises no apparent constitutional concerns. It emphasizes equitable geographic distribution but contains no new regulatory mandates or enforcement mechanisms.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-22: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-04-22: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-22: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Rural Child Care Access Act — issued 2026-04-22 — PDF (4 pages)