Child Care Modernization Act of 2026
- Bill Number
- H.R. 9224
- Origin Chamber
- House
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 2
- Policy Area
- Families
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-06-09: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- Last Updated
- 2026-07-03T08:06:06Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose of the Legislation The Child Care Modernization Act of 2026 amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to reauthorize the program and update its framework. The core aims include giving states flexibility to create mixed delivery systems for child care, empowering parental choice, supporting high-quality services across full workdays and years, improving child care quality and workforce stability, and increasing access for low-income children.
Key Provisions Outlined
- Updated Purposes and Definitions: Revises the program's goals to emphasize flexibility, parental decision-making, consumer education, and workforce support. Expands definitions such as "eligible activity" (including employment, education, job training, health treatment, and family leave) and "eligible child" (generally under age 13 with income up to 85% of state median, subject to waivers). Introduces "mixed delivery system" to cover various provider types and settings.
- Reauthorization and Funding: Authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2027 through 2031. Adds a new Part II creating Child Care Supply and Facilities Grants to expand provider capacity and improve facilities.
- State Plan and Administration Updates: Requires lead agencies to consult with parents, providers, employers, and local governments. Mandates cost estimation models for setting payment rates that cover fixed and operational costs, reviewed every two years. Establishes sliding fee scales to avoid barriers for families. Increases minimum allocation for quality improvement activities to 9% of funds.
- Priority Populations and Waivers: Prioritizes services for children in underserved areas, experiencing homelessness, in foster or kinship care, or needing protective services, as well as rural areas. Allows waivers to raise income eligibility limits under conditions that maintain service to lower-income families.
- Reporting and Oversight: Adds annual state reports on family child care spending, feasibility studies for affordability, and progress on benchmarks like eligibility, workforce retention, and quality. Requires biennial federal reports.
- Facilities and Supply Support: Creates subgrants for startup, expansion, remodeling, and construction of child care facilities, with priority for high-need areas. Excludes child care providers from certain USDA loan restrictions.
Significant Changes to Existing Law Introduced
- Replaces prior payment rate rules with requirements for statistically valid cost estimation models that account for variations by location, age group, and provider type.
- Broadens eligible activities beyond traditional work to include education, health services, and leave.
- Introduces dedicated grants for supply expansion and facilities improvements, separate from core block grant funds.
- Updates consultation and review processes for health/safety rules to reduce redundancies.
- Extends reauthorization through 2031 with new benchmarks and feasibility reporting.
Potential Impacts on Government Agencies, Citizens, or International Relations
- Government Agencies: States must develop new cost models, conduct reviews, and submit expanded reports, potentially increasing administrative workload. Federal agencies like the Department of Health and Human Services gain oversight of new grant programs and benchmarks. Local governments may see coordination requirements.
- Citizens: Families, particularly low-income ones, could gain improved access to affordable, high-quality care options through expanded supply and flexible eligibility. Child care providers may benefit from startup funding, technical assistance, and workforce support, aiding recruitment and retention.
- International Relations: No provisions affect international relations.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- States and lead agencies administering child care programs.
- Child care providers (center-based, family-based, faith-based, and community-based).
- Working parents and families, especially those with low incomes or in priority groups like homeless children or those in rural areas.
- Employers relying on reliable child care.
- Federal departments including Health and Human Services and Agriculture.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications The bill maintains state flexibility with explicit language against federal control over cost models or specific approaches. It promotes inclusion of diverse providers, including faith-based ones, in mixed systems. Waivers and priorities aim to balance expanded access with safeguards for the most vulnerable families. No direct constitutional issues are raised in the text.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Rep. McDonald Rivet, Kristen [D-MI-8], Rep. Hinson, Ashley [R-IA-2], Rep. Lee, Susie [D-NV-3], Rep. Fitzpatrick, Brian K. [R-PA-1], Rep. Carbajal, Salud O. [D-CA-24]
Recent Actions
- 2026-06-09: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-09: Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
- 2026-06-09: Introduced in House
- 2026-06-09: Introduced in House
Bill Versions
- Child Care Modernization Act of 2026 — issued 2026-06-09 — PDF (43 pages)