CARE for Parenting Students Act
- Bill Number
- H.R. 8590
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Families
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-04-29: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- Last Updated
- 2026-05-20T14:24:36Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Childcare Access for all Recognized Education for Parenting Students Act (or CARE for Parenting Students Act) aims to expand access to child care assistance for parenting students by clarifying that certain educational and training programs qualify as eligible "parental activities" under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (CCDBG Act). It also authorizes additional federal funding to support the program.
Key Provisions
- Expanded Eligibility for Child Care Assistance (Section 2): Amends the CCDBG Act to include specific types of educational programs as qualifying activities for parents seeking subsidies. These programs are:
- Accredited by an institution of higher education.
- Offered by an institution accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.
- Registered with the U.S. Department of Labor, a state department of labor, or an equivalent agency.
- Approved by a state, state board of nursing, or state department of health for licensing or certifying nursing assistants.
- Additional Funding Authorization (Section 3): Authorizes an extra $850 million per fiscal year from 2027 through 2031 for the CCDBG Act, on top of existing authorizations.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
- Broadens the definition of qualifying "educational programs" in the CCDBG Act, which previously may have limited eligibility to certain types of programs. This clarification ensures more student parents, particularly those in vocational or healthcare training (e.g., nursing assistants), can access child care subsidies while studying or training.
Potential Impacts
- On Citizens: Increases child care support for parenting students, potentially helping them complete education or training, enter the workforce, and reduce financial barriers to child care.
- On Government Agencies: Provides states (which administer CCDBG funds) with additional federal resources to expand services; affects the Departments of Health and Human Services (overseeing CCDBG), Education, Labor, and state health/labor agencies in program recognition.
- No Direct International Relations Impact: Focuses on domestic child care and education policy.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Parenting Students: Primary beneficiaries, especially those in higher education, vocational training, or nursing assistant programs.
- Child Care Providers: May see increased demand and funding for services.
- Educational Institutions: Higher education, accredited vocational programs, and training providers gain recognition for their programs.
- State and Federal Agencies: Departments of Education, Labor, Health, and state equivalents handle accreditation, registration, and fund distribution.
- Families and Workforce: Indirectly supports family stability and labor market entry in fields like healthcare.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: Strengthens statutory clarity in the CCDBG Act without creating new mandates; relies on existing accreditation and approval processes to avoid administrative burdens.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; aligns with Congress's spending power under Article I for welfare programs.
- Political: Promotes educational equity and workforce development, particularly in high-demand sectors like nursing, but funding is an authorization (not appropriation), requiring future budget approval.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Rep. Strickland, Marilyn [D-WA-10]
Recent Actions
- 2026-04-29: Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 2026-04-29: Introduced in House
- 2026-04-29: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Childcare Access for all Recognized Education for Parenting Students Act — issued 2026-04-29 — PDF (2 pages)