Child Care Workforce Act
- Bill Number
- S. 846
- Origin Chamber
- Senate
- Congress
- 119th Congress, Session 1
- Policy Area
- Families
- Status
- Introduced
- Latest Action
- 2026-03-19: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.
- Last Updated
- 2026-04-06T15:28:21Z
AI-Generated Summary
Purpose
The Child Care Workforce Act aims to boost the availability of high-quality child care by creating a pilot program that funds wage supplements for child care workers. This is intended to help attract and keep skilled workers, enhance their well-being, raise the standard of child care services, and make affordable child care more accessible for families.
Key Provisions
- Pilot Program Establishment: The Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) will award competitive grants to states (including territories like Puerto Rico and Guam), Indian Tribes, and Tribal organizations to supplement wages for eligible child care workers. Grants are selected based on factors such as the number of young children, existing child care workers, average wages, unmet needs for subsidies, and overall demand for more workers.
- Application Requirements: Applicants must submit details showing workforce shortages, a commitment to aid low-wage workers, a plan for distributing supplements (including eligibility criteria, prioritization of high-need areas like underserved regions or programs for infants/toddlers/disabled children/nontraditional hours, and delivery methods like direct payments or through employers), public awareness efforts, impact measurement strategies, integration with broader compensation plans, post-grant stability measures, and other required information.
- Fund Usage Rules: Grants must primarily supplement wages, paid out at least quarterly, targeted to priority areas, with education provided on potential tax or public benefit impacts; acceptance is voluntary. Up to 10% of funds can cover administrative costs, financial counseling, and awareness campaigns.
- Evaluation and Reporting: HHS will evaluate the program's success in worker retention, well-being, service quality, and care availability. A report on findings must be sent to Congress within two years of implementation.
- Funding and Timeline: Authorizes necessary funding starting in fiscal year 2026. The Act takes effect 75 days after enactment.
Significant Changes to Existing Law
This bill introduces a new federal pilot program under HHS authority, building on but not directly amending the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (which provides subsidies for families). It adds targeted wage support for workers, which is not a core feature of prior child care funding laws, and emphasizes tribal inclusion with specific definitions aligned to existing statutes like the Indian Self-Determination and Education Assistance Act.
Potential Impacts
- Government Agencies: HHS will gain responsibilities for grant administration, evaluation, and reporting, potentially increasing workload and federal spending on child care infrastructure.
- Citizens: Child care workers may see improved wages and job stability, leading to better retention and higher-quality care. Families, especially low-income ones eligible for subsidies, could benefit from more available and affordable child care options, reducing barriers to employment.
- International Relations: No direct impacts, as the bill focuses on domestic U.S. programs including territories but not foreign affairs.
Main Stakeholders Affected
- Child Care Workers: Primary beneficiaries through wage supplements, targeting those in licensed or regulated home- or center-based settings providing direct care or education to children.
- States, Indian Tribes, and Tribal Organizations: Responsible for applying for and managing grants, prioritizing high-need areas, and ensuring program sustainability.
- Families and Children: Indirectly affected via improved access to quality, affordable child care, particularly in underserved communities.
- Child Care Providers: May experience staffing stability and reduced turnover, enhancing program operations.
- HHS and Congress: HHS oversees implementation; Congress receives evaluations to inform future policy.
Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications
- Legal: The bill uses competitive grants to encourage state and tribal flexibility while mandating accountability through applications and evaluations, aligning with federalism principles by respecting state/tribal licensing standards. It defines terms clearly to avoid ambiguity, and voluntary participation protects worker rights.
- Constitutional: No apparent challenges; it involves standard congressional spending power under Article I and supports equal protection by addressing disparities in child care access, including for tribal communities.
- Political: Sponsored bipartisanship (e.g., by Sens. Britt, Kaine) signals broad support for workforce investment in essential services. The pilot nature allows testing before broader expansion, potentially influencing future child care reforms amid ongoing debates on family support and labor shortages.
This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.
Sponsor
Cosponsors (5)
Sen. Kaine, Tim [D-VA], Sen. Shaheen, Jeanne [D-NH], Sen. King, Angus S., Jr. [I-ME], Sen. Gillibrand, Kirsten E. [D-NY], Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]
Recent Actions
- 2026-03-19: Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.
- 2025-03-04: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1499-1500)
- 2025-03-04: Introduced in Senate
Bill Versions
- Child Care Workforce Act — issued 2025-03-04 — PDF (8 pages)