Expanding Access to Military Child Care Act of 2025
- Bill Number
- S. 2193
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Armed Forces and National Security
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2025-06-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- Last Updated
- 2025-07-17T18:36:45Z
AI-Generated Summary
Expanding Access to Military Child Care Act of 2025 (S. 2193)
Purpose
The legislation establishes a pilot program to improve access to high-quality early child care for members of the Armed Forces and their families through partnerships with eligible providers. It aims to increase child care capacity, support workforce development, and aid employee recruitment and retention.
Key Provisions
- Pilot Program Structure: The Secretary of Defense directs the Secretaries of the military departments to form up to 12 partnerships with eligible child care providers or networks. Each partnership must be at a different military installation, covering Navy (non-Marine), Marine Corps, Army, Air Force (non-Space Force), Space Force, and joint installations, while considering geographic diversity and demographics.
- Authorized Activities: Partnerships focus on increasing early child care slots, recruiting and retaining staff (including military spouses) via professional development and incentives, and providing training and resource subsidies. The program may collaborate with national service programs for volunteers.
- Provider Requirements: Participating providers must not reduce slots for nonmilitary families or build new facilities. They must submit compliance documentation every 180 days; noncompliance can lead to partnership termination after a 90-day grace period.
- Administration and Location: A centralized administrative system will track centers, slots, fees, and related matters. Programs operate at or near selected providers near military installations.
- Reporting Requirements: The Secretary provides initial and annual briefings to congressional armed services committees, plus a final report. The Government Accountability Office submits interim and final reports. A separate report on unmet child care needs, including fees, recruitment efforts, and a plan, is due by September 30, 2027.
- Duration: The pilot runs from January 1, 2026, to December 31, 2030, with a possible extension to December 31, 2032, upon notification to Congress.
- Definitions: References terms from title 10, U.S. Code, and the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 for eligible children, providers, and centers.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new pilot program without directly amending existing statutes. It builds on current Department of Defense child care initiatives, such as the Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood program, by adding structured partnerships and reporting mandates.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: Increases administrative responsibilities for the Department of Defense and military departments in managing partnerships, assessments, and reports. It may involve interagency coordination with federal service programs.
- Citizens: Enhances child care availability for military families, potentially reducing unmet needs in surrounding communities. Providers gain support for workforce stability but face compliance obligations.
- International Relations: No direct effects identified.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Department of Defense and military department Secretaries.
- Members of the Armed Forces and their families with children under age 5.
- Eligible child care providers and their networks.
- Congressional armed services committees.
- Government Accountability Office.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
The bill requires compliance with state and local child care laws and DoD regulations. It includes safeguards against displacing nonmilitary families. No explicit constitutional issues are raised. The measure reflects a bipartisan effort focused on military family support.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (1)
Recent Actions
- 2025-06-26: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services.
- 2025-06-26: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Expanding Access to Military Child Care Act of 2025 — issued 2025-06-26 — PDF (17 pages)