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[Congressional Bills 113th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 1086 Reported in Senate (RS)]

                                                       Calendar No. 309
113th CONGRESS
  2d Session
                                S. 1086

                          [Report No. 113-138]

 To reauthorize and improve the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
                  Act of 1990, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                              June 3, 2013

  Ms. Mikulski (for herself, Mr. Burr, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Alexander, and 
 Mrs. Gillibrand) introduced the following bill; which was read twice 
and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

                           February 25, 2014

               Reported by Mr. Harkin, with an amendment
 [Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
                               in italic]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 
 To reauthorize and improve the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
                  Act of 1990, and for other purposes.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

<DELETED>SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    This Act may be cited as the ``Child Care and Development 
Block Grant Act of 2013''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 2. SHORT TITLE AND PURPOSES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 658A of the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9801 note) is amended to read as 
follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 658A. SHORT TITLE AND PURPOSES.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Short Title.--This subchapter may be cited as the 
`Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990'.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this subchapter are--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) to allow each State maximum flexibility in 
        developing child care programs and policies that best suit the 
        needs of children and parents within that State;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) to promote parental choice to empower 
        working parents to make their own decisions regarding the child 
        care that best suits their family's needs;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) to assist States in providing high-quality 
        child care services to parents trying to achieve independence 
        from public assistance;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) to assist States in improving the overall 
        quality of child care services and programs by implementing the 
        health, safety, licensing, training, and oversight standards 
        established in this subchapter and in State law (including 
        regulations);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) to improve school readiness by having 
        children, families, and child care providers engage in 
        activities, in child care settings, that are developmentally 
        appropriate and age-appropriate for the children and that 
        promote children's language and literacy and mathematics 
        skills, social and emotional development, physical health and 
        development, and approaches to learning;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) to encourage States to provide consumer 
        education information to help parents make informed choices 
        about child care services and to promote involvement by parents 
        and family members in the education of their children in child 
        care settings;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) to increase the number and percentage of 
        low-income children in high-quality child care settings; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) to improve the coordination and delivery of 
        early childhood education and care (including child 
        care).''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 658B of the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9801) is amended by striking ``subchapter'' and 
all that follows, and inserting ``subchapter, such sums as may be 
necessary for each of fiscal years 2014 through 2019.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 4. LEAD AGENCY.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 658D(a) of the Child Care and Development Block 
Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858b(a)) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking ``chief executive officer'' and 
        inserting ``Governor''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by striking ``designate'' and all that follows 
        and inserting ``designate an agency (which may be an 
        appropriate collaborative agency), or establish a joint 
        interagency office, that complies with the requirements of 
        subsection (b) to serve as the lead agency for the State under 
        this subchapter.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 5. APPLICATION AND PLAN.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Period.--Section 658E(b) of the Child Care and 
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858c(b)) is amended, by 
striking ``2-year'' and inserting ``3-year''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Policies and Procedures.--Section 658E(c) of such Act 
(42 U.S.C. 9858c(c)) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or 
        established'' after ``designated'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting a 
                comma after ``care of such providers'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) by striking subparagraphs (D) through 
                (H); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by adding at the end the 
                following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Monitoring and inspection reports.--
                The plan shall include a certification that the State, 
                not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of 
                the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2013, 
                will make public by electronic means, in a consumer-
                friendly and easily accessible format, organized by 
                provider, the results of monitoring and inspection 
                reports, including those due to major substantiated 
                complaints about failure to comply with this subchapter 
                and State child care policies, as well as the number of 
                deaths, serious injuries, and instances of 
                substantiated child abuse that occurred in child care 
                settings each year, for eligible child care providers 
                within the State.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) Consumer education information.--The 
                plan shall include a certification that the State will 
                collect and disseminate (which dissemination may be 
                done, except as otherwise specified in this 
                subparagraph, through resource and referral 
                organizations and other means as determined by the 
                State) to parents of eligible children and the general 
                public--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) information that will 
                        promote informed child care choices and that 
                        concerns--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the availability of 
                                child care services provided through 
                                programs authorized under this 
                                subchapter and, if feasible, other 
                                child care services provided in the 
                                State;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) if available, 
                                information about the quality of 
                                providers, including information from a 
                                Quality Rating and Improvement 
                                System;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) information, made 
                                available through a State website, 
                                describing the State process for 
                                licensing child care providers, the 
                                State processes for conducting 
                                background checks, and monitoring and 
                                inspections, of child care providers, 
                                and the offenses that prevent 
                                individuals and entities from serving 
                                as child care providers in the 
                                State;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) the availability of 
                                assistance to obtain child care 
                                services;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(V) other programs for 
                                which families that receive child care 
                                services for which financial assistance 
                                is provided in accordance with this 
                                subchapter may be eligible, including 
                                the program of block grants to States 
                                for temporary assistance for needy 
                                families established under part A of 
                                title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
                                U.S.C. 601 et seq.), Head Start and 
                                Early Head Start programs carried out 
                                under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                9831 et seq.), the program carried out 
                                under the Low-Income Home Energy 
                                Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 
                                et seq.), the supplemental nutrition 
                                assistance program established under 
                                the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
                                U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the special 
                                supplemental nutrition program for 
                                women, infants, and children 
                                established by section 17 of the Child 
                                Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786), 
                                the child and adult care food program 
                                established under section 17 of the 
                                Richard B. Russell National School 
                                Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766), and the 
                                Medicaid and State children's health 
                                insurance programs under titles XIX and 
                                XXI of the Social Security Act (42 
                                U.S.C. 1396 et seq. and 1397aa et 
                                seq.);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VI) programs carried 
                                out under section 619 and part C of the 
                                Individuals with Disabilities Education 
                                Act (20 U.S.C. 1419 and 1431 et seq.); 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VII) research and best 
                                practices concerning children's 
                                development, including language and 
                                cognitive development, development of 
                                early language and literacy and 
                                mathematics skills, social and 
                                emotional development, meaningful 
                                parent and family engagement, and 
                                physical health and 
                                development;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) information on 
                        developmental screenings, including--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) information on 
                                existing (as of the date of submission 
                                of the application containing the plan) 
                                resources and services the State can 
                                deploy, including the coordinated use 
                                of the Early and Periodic Screening, 
                                Diagnosis, and Treatment program under 
                                the Medicaid program carried out under 
                                title XIX of the Social Security Act 
                                (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and 
                                developmental screening services 
                                available under section 619 and part C 
                                of the Individuals with Disabilities 
                                Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et 
                                seq.), in conducting developmental 
                                screenings and providing referrals to 
                                services, when appropriate, for 
                                children who receive assistance under 
                                this subchapter; and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) a description of 
                                how a family or eligible child care 
                                provider may utilize the resources and 
                                services described in subclause (I) to 
                                obtain developmental screenings for 
                                children who receive assistance under 
                                this subchapter who may be at risk for 
                                cognitive or other developmental 
                                delays; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) information, for parents 
                        receiving assistance under the program of block 
                        grants to States for temporary assistance for 
                        needy families under part A of title IV of the 
                        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.), 
                        and low-income parents, about eligibility for 
                        assistance provided in accordance with this 
                        subchapter.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) Compliance with state licensing 
                requirements.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The plan shall 
                        include a certification that the State involved 
                        has in effect licensing requirements applicable 
                        to child care services provided within the 
                        State, and provide a detailed description of 
                        such requirements and of how such requirements 
                        are effectively enforced.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) License exemption.--If the 
                        State uses funding received under this 
                        subchapter to support a child care provider 
                        that is exempt from the corresponding licensing 
                        requirements described in clause (i), the plan 
                        shall include a description stating--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) how children 
                                receiving services from such a provider 
                                will receive services that are 
                                comparable in safety and quality to the 
                                services received by children served by 
                                licensed child care providers; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) why such licensing 
                                exemption does not endanger the health, 
                                safety, or development of children who 
                                receive services from child care 
                                providers who are exempt from such 
                                requirements.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) Training requirements.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The plan shall 
                        describe the training requirements that are in 
                        effect within the State that are designed to 
                        enable child care providers to promote the 
                        social, emotional, physical, and cognitive 
                        development of children and that are applicable 
                        to child care providers that provide services 
                        for which assistance is provided in accordance 
                        with this subchapter in the State.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Requirements.--The plan 
                        shall provide an assurance that such training 
                        requirements--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) provide a set of 
                                workforce and competency standards for 
                                child care providers that provide 
                                services described in clause 
                                (i);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) are developed in 
                                consultation with the State Advisory 
                                Council on Early Childhood Education 
                                and Care (designated or established 
                                pursuant to section 642B(b)(1)(A) of 
                                the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                9837b(b)(1)(A)));</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) include an 
                                evidence-based training framework that 
                                is designed to promote children's 
                                learning and development and school 
                                readiness and to improve child 
                                outcomes, including school 
                                readiness;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) incorporate 
                                knowledge and application of the 
                                State's early learning and 
                                developmental guidelines and, where 
                                applicable, the State's child 
                                development and health standards; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(V) to the extent 
                                practicable, are appropriate for a 
                                population of children that includes--
                                </DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(aa) different 
                                        age groups (such as infants, 
                                        toddlers, and 
                                        preschoolers);</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(bb) English 
                                        learners; and</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(cc) children 
                                        with disabilities.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) Progression of 
                        professional development.--In developing the 
                        requirements, the State shall develop a 
                        statewide progression of professional 
                        development designed to improve the skills and 
                        knowledge of the workforce, which may include 
                        the acquisition of course credit in 
                        postsecondary education or of a credential, 
                        aligned with the framework.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) Alignment.--The State shall 
                        engage the State Advisory Council on Early 
                        Childhood Education and Care, and may engage 
                        institutions of higher education (as defined in 
                        section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 
                        (20 U.S.C. 1002)), and other training providers 
                        in aligning training opportunities with the 
                        State's training framework.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) Credentials.--The Secretary 
                        shall not require an individual or entity that 
                        provides child care services for which 
                        assistance is provided in accordance with this 
                        subchapter to acquire a credential to provide 
                        such services. Nothing in this section shall be 
                        construed to prohibit a State from requiring a 
                        credential.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(H) Child-to-provider ratio standards.--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) Standards.--The plan shall 
                        describe child care standards, for child care 
                        for which assistance is made available in 
                        accordance with this subchapter, appropriate to 
                        the type of child care setting involved, that 
                        address--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) group size limits 
                                for specific age populations;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) the appropriate 
                                ratio between the number of children 
                                and the number of providers, in terms 
                                of the age of the children in child 
                                care, as determined by the State; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) required 
                                qualifications for such 
                                providers.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Construction.--The 
                        Secretary may offer guidance to States on 
                        child-to-provider ratios described in clause 
                        (i) according to setting and age group but 
                        shall not require that States maintain specific 
                        child-to-provider ratios for providers who 
                        receive assistance under this 
                        subchapter.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(I) Health and safety requirements.--The 
                plan shall include a certification that there are in 
                effect within the State, under State or local law, 
                requirements designed to protect the health and safety 
                of children that are applicable to child care providers 
                that provide services for which assistance is made 
                available in accordance with this subchapter. Such 
                requirements--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) shall relate to matters 
                        including health and safety topics (including 
                        prevention of shaken baby syndrome and abusive 
                        head trauma) consisting of--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) the prevention and 
                                control of infectious diseases 
                                (including immunization) and the 
                                establishment of a grace period that 
                                allows homeless children to receive 
                                services under this subchapter while 
                                their families are taking any necessary 
                                action to comply with immunization and 
                                other health and safety 
                                requirements;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) handwashing and 
                                universal health precautions;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) the administration 
                                of medication, consistent with 
                                standards for parental 
                                consent;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) the prevention of 
                                and response to emergencies due to food 
                                and other allergic reactions;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(V) prevention of sudden 
                                infant death syndrome and use of safe 
                                sleeping practices;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VI) sanitary methods of 
                                food handling;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VII) building and 
                                physical premises safety;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VIII) emergency 
                                response planning including disaster 
                                preparation;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IX) the handling and 
                                storage of hazardous materials and the 
                                appropriate disposal of 
                                biocontaminants;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(X) identification of 
                                and protection from hazards that can 
                                cause bodily injury such as electrical 
                                hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular 
                                traffic;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(XI) for providers that 
                                offer transportation, if applicable, 
                                appropriate precautions in transporting 
                                children;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(XII) first aid and 
                                cardiopulmonary resuscitation; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(XIII) minimum health 
                                and safety training, to be completed 
                                pre-service or during an orientation 
                                period, appropriate to the provider 
                                setting involved that addresses each of 
                                the requirements relating to matters 
                                described in subclauses (I) through 
                                (XII); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) may include requirements 
                        relating to nutrition and access to physical 
                        activity.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(J) Compliance with state and local 
                health and safety requirements.--The plan shall include 
                a certification that procedures are in effect to ensure 
                that child care providers within the State, that 
                provide services for which assistance is made available 
                in accordance with this subchapter, comply with all 
                applicable State and local health and safety 
                requirements as described in subparagraph 
                (I).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(K) Enforcement of licensing and other 
                regulatory requirements.--The plan shall include a 
                certification that the State, not later than 2 years 
                after the date of enactment of the Child Care and 
                Development Block Grant Act of 2013, shall have in 
                effect policies and practices, applicable to licensing 
                for child care providers that provide services for 
                which assistance is made available in accordance with 
                this subchapter and the facilities of those providers, 
                that--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) ensure that individuals who 
                        are hired as licensing inspectors in the State 
                        are qualified to inspect those child care 
                        providers and facilities and have received 
                        training in related health and safety 
                        requirements, child development, child abuse 
                        prevention and detection, program management, 
                        and relevant law enforcement;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) require licensing 
                        inspectors of those child care providers and 
                        facilities to perform inspections, with--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) not less than 1 
                                prelicensure health, safety, and fire 
                                inspection of each such child care 
                                provider and facility in the State; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) not less than 
                                annually, a health, safety, and fire 
                                inspection (which shall be unannounced) 
                                of each such child care provider and 
                                facility in the State; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) require the ratio of 
                        licensing inspectors to such child care 
                        providers and facilities in the State to be 
                        maintained at a level sufficient to enable the 
                        State to conduct inspections of such child care 
                        providers and facilities on a timely basis in 
                        accordance with Federal and State 
                        law.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(L) Compliance with child abuse 
                reporting requirements.--The plan shall include a 
                certification that child care providers within the 
                State will comply with the child abuse reporting 
                requirements of section 106(b)(2)(B)(i) of the Child 
                Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 
                5106a(b)(2)(B)(i)).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(M) Meeting the needs of certain 
                populations.--The plan shall describe how the State 
                will develop and implement strategies (which may 
                include the provision of compensation at higher payment 
                rates and bonuses to child care providers, the 
                provision of direct contracts or grants to community-
                based organizations, or other means determined by the 
                State) to increase the supply and improve the quality 
                of child care for--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) children in underserved 
                        areas;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) infants and 
                        toddlers;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) children with 
                        disabilities, as defined in subparagraphs (A) 
                        and (D) of section 658P(3); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) children who receive care 
                        during nontraditional hours.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(N) Protection for working parents.--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) Redetermination process.--
                        The plan shall describe the procedures and 
                        policies that are in place to ensure that 
                        working parents (especially parents in families 
                        receiving assistance under the program of block 
                        grants to States for temporary assistance for 
                        needy families under part A of title IV of the 
                        Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)) 
                        are not required to unduly disrupt their 
                        employment in order to comply with the State's 
                        requirements for redetermination of eligibility 
                        for assistance provided in accordance with this 
                        subchapter.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Minimum period.--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) 12-month period.--
                                The plan shall demonstrate that each 
                                child who receives assistance under 
                                this subchapter in the State will be 
                                considered to meet all eligibility 
                                requirements for such assistance 
                                (except for a factor described in 
                                clause (iii), for a State not covered 
                                by clause (iii)) and will receive such 
                                assistance, for not less than 12 months 
                                before the State redetermines the 
                                eligibility of the child under this 
                                subchapter, regardless of a change in 
                                the status of the child's parent as 
                                working or attending a job training or 
                                educational program or a change in 
                                family income for the child's family, 
                                if that family income does not exceed 
                                85 percent of the State median income 
                                for a family of the same 
                                size.</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) Fluctuations in 
                                earnings.--The plan shall demonstrate 
                                how the State's processes for initial 
                                determination and redetermination of 
                                such eligibility take into account 
                                irregular fluctuations in 
                                earnings.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) Period before 
                        termination.--At the option of the State, the 
                        plan shall demonstrate that the State will not 
                        terminate assistance provided to carry out this 
                        subchapter based on a factor consisting of a 
                        parent's loss of work or cessation of 
                        attendance at a job training or educational 
                        program for which the family was receiving the 
                        assistance, without continuing the assistance 
                        for a reasonable period of time, of not less 
                        than 3 months, after such loss or cessation in 
                        order for the parent to engage in a job search 
                        and resume work, or resume attendance at a job 
                        training or educational program, as soon as 
                        possible.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) Graduated phaseout of 
                        care.--The plan shall describe the policies and 
                        procedures that are in place to allow for 
                        provision of continued assistance to carry out 
                        this subchapter, for a period of not to exceed 
                        12 months, for children of working parents who 
                        become ineligible for assistance to carry out 
                        this subchapter during the redetermination 
                        process due to a modest increase in the 
                        parents' income, if the family income for the 
                        family involved does not exceed 85 percent of 
                        the State median income for a family of the 
                        same size.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(O) Coordination with other programs.--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The plan shall 
                        describe how the State, in order to expand 
                        accessibility and continuity of quality early 
                        childhood education and care, and assist 
                        children enrolled in part-day prekindergarten 
                        or part-day Head Start programs to receive 
                        full-day services, will coordinate the services 
                        supported to carry out this subchapter with--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) programs carried out 
                                under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                9831 et seq.), including the Early Head 
                                Start programs carried out under 
                                section 645A of that Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                9840a);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) programs carried 
                                out under part A of title I, and part B 
                                of title IV, of title I of the 
                                Elementary and Secondary Education Act 
                                of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 et seq., 7171 
                                et seq.);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) programs carried 
                                out under section 619 and part C of the 
                                Individuals with Disabilities Education 
                                Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et 
                                seq.);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) the maternal, 
                                infant, and early childhood home 
                                visiting programs authorized under 
                                section 511 of the Social Security Act 
                                (42 U.S.C. 711), as added by section 
                                2951 of the Patient Protection and 
                                Affordable Care Act;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(V) State and locally 
                                funded early childhood education and 
                                care programs;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VI) programs serving 
                                homeless children and services of local 
                                educational agency liaisons for 
                                homeless children and youths designated 
                                under subsection (g)(1)(J)(ii) of 
                                section 722 of the McKinney-Vento 
                                Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                11432); and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(VII) other Federal 
                                programs supporting early childhood 
                                education and care 
                                activities.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Rule of construction.--
                        Nothing in clause (i) shall be construed to 
                        affect the priority of children described in 
                        clause (i) to receive full-day prekindergarten 
                        or Head Start program services.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(P) Public-private partnerships.--The 
                plan shall demonstrate how the State encourages 
                partnerships among State agencies, other public 
                agencies, and private entities to leverage existing 
                service delivery systems (as of the date of the 
                submission of the application containing the plan) for 
                early childhood education and care and to increase the 
                supply and quality of child care services for children 
                who are less than 13 years of age, such as by 
                implementing voluntary shared services alliance models 
                to allow providers more time and resources to provide 
                higher quality of care at lower cost by realizing small 
                economies of scale.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(Q) Priority for low-income 
                populations.--The plan shall describe the process the 
                State proposes to use, with respect to investments made 
                to increase access to programs providing high-quality 
                early childhood education and care, to give priority 
                for those investments to children of families in areas 
                that have significant concentrations of poverty and 
                unemployment and that do not have such 
                programs.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(R) Consultation.--The plan shall 
                include a certification that the State has developed 
                the plan in consultation with the State Advisory 
                Council on Early Childhood Education and Care 
                established pursuant to section 642B(b)(1)(A) of the 
                Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837b(b)(1)(A)).</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(S) Payment practices.--The plan shall 
                include a certification that the payment practices of 
                child care providers in the State that serve children 
                who receive assistance under this subchapter reflect 
                generally accepted payment practices of child care 
                providers in the State that serve children who do not 
                receive assistance under this subchapter, so as to 
                provide stability of funding and encourage more child 
                care providers to serve children who receive assistance 
                under this subchapter.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(T) Early learning and developmental 
                guidelines.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The plan shall 
                        include an assurance that the State will 
                        develop or implement early learning and 
                        developmental guidelines that are appropriate 
                        for children from birth through entry into 
                        kindergarten, describing what such children 
                        should know and be able to do, and covering the 
                        essential domains of early childhood education 
                        and care and early childhood development for 
                        use statewide by child care providers. Such 
                        child care providers shall--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) be licensed or 
                                regulated under State law; 
                                and</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) not be a relative 
                                of all children for whom the provider 
                                provides child care services.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Alignment.--The guidelines 
                        shall be research-based, be developmentally 
                        appropriate, and be aligned with State 
                        standards for education in kindergarten through 
                        grade 3.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) Prohibition on use of 
                        funds.--The plan shall include an assurance 
                        that funds received by the State to carry out 
                        this subchapter will not be used to develop or 
                        implement an assessment for children that--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) will be the sole 
                                basis for a child care provider being 
                                determined to be ineligible to 
                                participate in the program carried out 
                                under this subchapter;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) will be used as the 
                                primary or sole basis to provide a 
                                reward or sanction for an individual 
                                provider; or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) will be used as 
                                the primary or sole method for 
                                assessing program 
                                effectiveness.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) Exceptions.--Nothing in 
                        this subchapter shall preclude the State using 
                        a single assessment for children for--
                        </DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) improving 
                                instruction or a classroom 
                                environment;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) targeting 
                                professional development to a 
                                provider;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) determining the 
                                need for health, mental health, 
                                disability, developmental delay, or 
                                family support services;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) obtaining 
                                information for the quality improvement 
                                process at the State level; 
                                or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(V) conducting a program 
                                evaluation for the purposes of 
                                providing program improvement and 
                                parent information.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) No federal control.--Nothing 
                        in this section shall be construed to authorize 
                        an officer or employee of the Federal 
                        Government to--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) mandate, direct, or 
                                control a State's early learning and 
                                developmental guidelines, developed in 
                                accordance with this section;</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) establish any 
                                criterion that specifies, defines, or 
                                prescribes the standards or measures 
                                that a State uses to establish, 
                                implement, or improve--</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(aa) early 
                                        learning and developmental 
                                        guidelines, or early learning 
                                        standards, assessments, or 
                                        accountability systems; 
                                        or</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(bb) alignment 
                                        of early learning and 
                                        developmental guidelines with 
                                        State standards for education 
                                        in kindergarten through grade 
                                        3; or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) require a State to 
                                submit such standards or measures for 
                                review.'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) in paragraph (3)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``as 
                required under'' and inserting ``in accordance 
                with'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subparagraph (B)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking ``The State'' and 
                        inserting the following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) In general.--The 
                        State'';</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking ``and any other 
                        activity that the State deems appropriate to 
                        realize any of the goals specified in 
                        paragraphs (2) through (5) of section 658A(b)'' 
                        and inserting ``activities that improve access 
                        to child care services, including use of 
                        procedures to permit immediate enrollment 
                        (after the initial eligibility determination 
                        and after a child is determined to be eligible) 
                        of homeless children while required 
                        documentation is obtained, training and 
                        technical assistance on identifying and serving 
                        homeless children and their families, and 
                        specific outreach to homeless families, and any 
                        other activity that the State determines to be 
                        appropriate to meet the purposes of this 
                        subchapter (which may include an activity 
                        described in clause (ii))''; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (iii) by adding at the end the 
                        following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) Child care resource and 
                        referral system.--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) In general.--A State 
                                may use amounts described in clause (i) 
                                to establish or support a system of 
                                local or regional child care resource 
                                and referral organizations that is 
                                coordinated, to the extent determined 
                                appropriate by the State, by a 
                                statewide public or private nonprofit, 
                                community-based or regionally based, 
                                lead child care resource and referral 
                                organization.</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) Local or regional 
                                organizations.--The local or regional 
                                child care resource and referral 
                                organizations supported as described in 
                                subclause (I) shall--</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(aa) provide 
                                        parents in the State with 
                                        consumer education information 
                                        referred to in paragraph (2)(E) 
                                        (except as otherwise provided 
                                        in that paragraph), concerning 
                                        the full range of child care 
                                        options, analyzed by provider, 
                                        including child care provided 
                                        during nontraditional hours and 
                                        through emergency child care 
                                        centers, in their political 
                                        subdivisions or 
                                        regions;</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(bb) to the 
                                        extent practicable, work 
                                        directly with families who 
                                        receive assistance under this 
                                        subchapter to offer the 
                                        families support and 
                                        assistance, using information 
                                        described in item (aa), to make 
                                        an informed decision about 
                                        which child care providers they 
                                        will use, in an effort to 
                                        ensure that the families are 
                                        enrolling their children in 
                                        high-quality care;</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(cc) collect and 
                                        analyze data on the 
                                        coordination of services and 
                                        supports, including services 
                                        under section 619 and part C of 
                                        the Individuals with 
                                        Disabilities Education Act (42 
                                        U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.), for 
                                        children with disabilities (as 
                                        defined in section 602 of such 
                                        Act (20 U.S.C. 
                                        1401));</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(dd) collect and 
                                        analyze data on the supply of 
                                        and demand for child care in 
                                        political subdivisions or 
                                        regions within the State and 
                                        submit such data and analysis 
                                        to the State;</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(ee) work to 
                                        establish partnerships with 
                                        public agencies and private 
                                        entities to increase the supply 
                                        and quality of child care 
                                        services in the State; 
                                        and</DELETED>
                                        <DELETED>    ``(ff) as 
                                        appropriate, coordinate their 
                                        activities with the activities 
                                        of the State lead agency and 
                                        local agencies that administer 
                                        funds made available in 
                                        accordance with this 
                                        subchapter.'';</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) in subparagraph (D)--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (i) by striking ``1997 through 
                        2012'' and inserting ``2014 through 2019''; 
                        and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    (ii) by striking ``paragraph 
                        (2)(H)'' and inserting ``paragraph (2)(M)''; 
                        and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (D) by adding at the end the 
                following:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) Direct services.--From amounts 
                provided to a State for a fiscal year to carry out this 
                subchapter, the State shall--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) reserve the minimum amount 
                        required to be reserved under section 658G, and 
                        the funds for costs described in subparagraph 
                        (C); and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) from the remainder, use not 
                        less than 70 percent to fund direct services 
                        (provided by the State) in accordance with 
                        paragraph (2)(A).'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the 
        following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Payment rates.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The State plan shall 
                certify that payment rates for the provision of child 
                care services for which assistance is provided in 
                accordance with this subchapter are sufficient to 
                ensure equal access for eligible children to child care 
                services that are comparable to child care services in 
                the State or substate area involved that are provided 
                to children whose parents are not eligible to receive 
                assistance under this subchapter or to receive child 
                care assistance under any other Federal or State 
                program and shall provide a summary of the facts relied 
                on by the State to determine that such rates are 
                sufficient to ensure such access.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Survey.--The State plan shall--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) demonstrate that the State 
                        has, after consulting with the State Advisory 
                        Council on Early Childhood Education and Care, 
                        local child care program administrators, local 
                        child care resource and referral agencies, and 
                        other appropriate entities, developed and 
                        conducted (not earlier than 2 years before the 
                        date of the submission of the application 
                        containing the State plan) a statistically 
                        valid and reliable survey of the market rates 
                        for child care services in the State (that 
                        reflects variations in the cost of child care 
                        services by geographic area, type of provider, 
                        and age of child);</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) demonstrate that the State 
                        prepared a detailed report containing the 
                        results of the State market rates survey 
                        conducted pursuant to clause (i), and made the 
                        results of the survey widely available (not 
                        later than 30 days after the completion of such 
                        survey) through periodic means, including 
                        posting the results on the Internet;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) describe how the State 
                        will set payment rates for child care services, 
                        for which assistance is provided in accordance 
                        with this subchapter, in accordance with the 
                        results of the market rates survey conducted 
                        pursuant to clause (i) without, to the extent 
                        practicable, reducing the number of families in 
                        the State receiving such assistance to carry 
                        out this subchapter, relative to the number of 
                        such families on the date of enactment of the 
                        Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 
                        2013; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) describe how the State will 
                        provide for timely payment for child care 
                        services provided in accordance with this 
                        subchapter.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Construction.--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) No private right of 
                        action.--Nothing in this paragraph shall be 
                        construed to create a private right of 
                        action.</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) No prohibition of certain 
                        different rates.--Nothing in this subchapter 
                        shall be construed to prevent a State from 
                        differentiating the payment rates described in 
                        subparagraph (B)(iii) on the basis of such 
                        factors as--</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(I) geographic location 
                                of child care providers (such as 
                                location in an urban or rural 
                                area);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(II) the age or 
                                particular needs of children (such as 
                                the needs of children with disabilities 
                                and children served by child protective 
                                services);</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(III) whether the 
                                providers provide child care during 
                                weekend and other nontraditional hours; 
                                or</DELETED>
                                <DELETED>    ``(IV) the State's 
                                determination that such differentiated 
                                payment rates are needed to enable a 
                                parent to choose child care that is of 
                                high quality.''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``that is not a 
        barrier to families receiving assistance under this 
        subchapter'' after ``cost sharing''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Technical Amendment.--Section 658F(b)(2) of the Child 
Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858d(b)(2)) is 
amended by striking ``section 658E(c)(2)(F)'' and inserting ``section 
658E(c)(2)(I)''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 6. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CHILD 
              CARE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 658G of the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858e) is amended to read as follows:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 658G. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CHILD 
              CARE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) Reservation.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Reservation for activities relating to the 
        quality of child care services.--A State that receives funds to 
        carry out this subchapter for a fiscal year shall reserve and 
        use a portion of such funds, in accordance with paragraph (2), 
        for activities provided directly, or through grants or 
        contracts with local child care resource and referral 
        organizations or other appropriate entities, that are designed 
        to improve the quality of child care services and increase 
        parental options for, and access to, high-quality child care, 
        provided in accordance with this subchapter.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Amount of reservations.--Such State shall 
        reserve and use for the activities described in paragraph (1), 
        not less than--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) 6 percent of such funds in 
                2014;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) 8 percent of such funds in 
                2016;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) 10 percent of such funds in 2018 and 
                each succeeding year; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) 3 percent of such funds in 2014 and 
                each succeeding year to carry out the activities 
                described in paragraph (1), as such activities relate 
                to the quality of care for infants and 
                toddlers.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Activities.--Funds reserved under subsection (a) 
shall be used to carry out not less than 2 of the following 
activities:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Supporting the training, professional 
        development, and professional advancement of the child care 
        workforce through activities such as--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) offering child care providers 
                training and professional development that is 
                intentional and sequential and leads to a higher level 
                of skill or certification;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) establishing or supporting programs 
                designed to increase the retention and improve the 
                competencies of child care providers, including wage 
                incentive programs and initiatives that establish 
                tiered payment rates for providers that meet or exceed 
                child care services guidelines, as defined by the 
                State;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) offering training, professional 
                development, and educational opportunities for child 
                care providers that relate to the use of 
                developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate 
                curricula, and early childhood teaching strategies, 
                that are scientifically based and aligned with the 
                social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development 
                of children, including offering specialized training 
                for child care providers who care for infants and 
                toddlers, children who are English learners, and 
                children with disabilities (as defined in section 602 
                of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 
                U.S.C. 1401));</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) providing training in early 
                mathematics and early language and literacy development 
                and effective instructional practices to support 
                mathematics and language and literacy development in 
                young children;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) incorporating effective use of data 
                to guide instruction and program improvement;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) including effective behavior 
                management strategies, including positive behavioral 
                interventions and supports, that promote positive 
                social and emotional development and reduce challenge 
                behaviors;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) at the option of the State, 
                incorporating feedback from experts at the State's 
                institutions of higher education, as defined in section 
                102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                1002), and other early learning and development experts 
                and early childhood experts;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(H) providing training corresponding to 
                the nutritional and physical activity needs of children 
                to promote healthy development; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(I) providing training or professional 
                development for child care providers to serve and 
                support children with disabilities.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Supporting the use of the early learning and 
        developmental guidelines described in section 658E by--
        </DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) developing and implementing such 
                early learning and developmental guidelines for early 
                language and literacy skills and activities and pre-
                numeracy and mathematics skills and activities, for 
                child care programs in the State, that are aligned with 
                State standards for education in kindergarten through 
                grade 12 education or the State's general goals for 
                school readiness; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) providing technical assistance to 
                enhance early learning for preschool and school-aged 
                children in order to promote language and literacy 
                skills, foster school readiness, and support later 
                school success.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Developing and implementing a tiered quality 
        rating system for child care providers, which shall--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) support and assess the quality of 
                child care providers in the State;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) build on licensing standards and 
                other State regulatory standards for such 
                providers;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) be designed to improve the quality 
                of different types of child care providers;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) describe the quality of early 
                learning facilities;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) build the capacity of State early 
                learning programs and communities to promote parents' 
                and families' understanding of the State's early 
                learning system and the ratings of the programs in 
                which the child is enrolled; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) provide, to the maximum extent 
                practicable, financial incentives and other supports 
                designed to achieve and sustain higher levels of 
                quality.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Improving the supply and quality of child 
        care programs and services for infants and toddlers through 
        activities which may include--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) establishing or expanding 
                neighborhood-based high-quality comprehensive family 
                and child development centers, which may serve as 
                resources to child care providers in order to improve 
                the quality of early childhood education and care and 
                early childhood development services provided to 
                infants and toddlers from low-income families and to 
                help eligible child care providers improve their 
                capacity to offer high-quality care to infants and 
                toddlers from low-income families;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) establishing or expanding the 
                operation of community or neighborhood-based family 
                child care networks;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) supporting statewide networks of 
                infant and toddler child care specialists, including 
                specialists who have knowledge regarding infant and 
                toddler development and curriculum and program 
                implementation for children with disabilities, which 
                may include specialists who provide such services 
                through part C of the Individuals with Disabilities 
                Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) carrying out initiatives to improve 
                the quality of the infant and toddler child care 
                workforce, such as providing relevant training, 
                professional development, or mentoring opportunities 
                and linking such opportunities to career pathways, 
                developing career pathways for such providers, and 
                improving the State credentialing of eligible providers 
                caring for infants and toddlers; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) if applicable, developing infant and 
                toddler components within the State's quality rating 
                system described in paragraph (3) for child care 
                providers for infants and toddlers, or the development 
                of infant and toddler components in a State's child 
                care licensing regulations or early childhood 
                guidelines;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) improving the ability of parents to 
                access information about high-quality infant and 
                toddler care; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(G) carrying out other activities 
                determined by the State to improve the quality of 
                infant and toddler care provided in the State, and for 
                which there is evidence that the activities will lead 
                to improved infant and toddler safety, infant and 
                toddler development, or infant and toddler well-
                being.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) Promoting broad child care provider 
        participation in the quality rating system described in 
        paragraph (3).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(6) Establishing or expanding a statewide system 
        of child care resource and referral services.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(7) Facilitating compliance with State 
        requirements for inspection, monitoring, training, and health 
        and safety, and with State licensing standards.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(8) Evaluating and assessing the quality and 
        effectiveness of child care programs and services offered in 
        the State, including evaluating how such programs and services 
        may improve the overall school readiness of young 
        children.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(9) Supporting child care providers in the 
        pursuit of accreditation by an established national accrediting 
        body with demonstrated, valid and reliable program standards of 
        high quality.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(10) Supporting State or local efforts to 
        develop or adopt high-quality program standards relating to 
        health, mental health, nutrition, physical activity, and 
        physical development and providing resources to enable eligible 
        child care providers to meet, exceed, or sustain success in 
        meeting or exceeding such standards.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(11) Carrying out other activities determined by 
        the State to improve the quality of child care services 
        provided in the State, and for which measurement of outcomes 
        relating to improved provider preparedness, child safety, child 
        well-being, or school readiness is possible.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Certification.--Beginning with fiscal year 2014, at 
the beginning of each fiscal year, the State shall annually submit to 
the Secretary a certification containing an assurance that the State 
was in compliance with subsection (a) during the preceding fiscal year 
and describes how the State used funds received under this subchapter 
to comply with subsection (a) during that preceding fiscal 
year.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Reporting Requirements.--Each State receiving funds 
under this subchapter shall prepare and submit an annual report to the 
Secretary, which shall include information about--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the amount of funds that are reserved under 
        subsection (a);</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the activities carried out under this 
        section; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) the measures that the State will use to 
        evaluate the State's progress in improving the quality of child 
        care programs and services in the State.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall offer 
technical assistance, in accordance with section 658I(a)(3), which may 
include technical assistance through the use of grants or cooperative 
agreements, to States for the activities described in subsection 
(b).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be 
construed as providing the Secretary the authority to regulate, 
monitor, or dictate State child care quality activities or progress in 
implementing those activities.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 7. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 
U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 658G the 
following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 658H. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    ``(a) In General.--A State that receives funds to carry 
out this subchapter shall have in effect--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) requirements, policies, and procedures to 
        require and conduct criminal background checks for child care 
        staff members (including prospective child care staff members) 
        of child care providers described in subsection (c)(1); 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) licensing, regulation, and registration 
        requirements, as applicable, that prohibit the employment of 
        child care staff members as described in subsection 
        (c).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) Requirements.--A criminal background check for a 
child care staff member under subsection (a) shall include--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) a search of each State criminal and sex 
        offender registry or repository in the State where the child 
        care staff member resides and each State where such staff 
        member resided during the preceding 10 years;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) a search of State-based child abuse and 
        neglect registries and databases in the State where the child 
        care staff member resides and each State where such staff 
        member previously resided during the preceding 10 
        years;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) a search of the National Crime Information 
        Center;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) a Federal Bureau of Investigation 
        fingerprint check using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint 
        Identification System; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) a search of the National Sex Offender 
        Registry established under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and 
        Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16901 et seq.).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(c) Prohibitions.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Child care staff members.--A child care 
        staff member shall be ineligible for employment by a child care 
        provider that is licensed, regulated, or registered by the 
        State or for which assistance is provided in accordance with 
        this subchapter, if such individual--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) refuses to consent to the criminal 
                background check described in subsection (b);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) knowingly makes a materially false 
                statement in connection with such criminal background 
                check;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) is registered, or is required to be 
                registered, on a State sex offender registry or the 
                National Sex Offender Registry established under the 
                Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety Act of 2006 (42 
                U.S.C. 16901 et seq.); or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) has been convicted of a felony 
                consisting of--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) murder, as described in 
                        section 1111 of title 18, United States 
                        Code;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) child abuse or 
                        neglect;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) a crime against children, 
                        including child pornography;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) spousal abuse;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) a crime involving rape or 
                        sexual assault;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vi) kidnapping;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(vii) arson;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(viii) physical assault or 
                        battery; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ix) subject to subsection 
                        (e)(4), a drug-related offense committed during 
                        the preceding 5 years.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Child care providers.--A child care provider 
        described in paragraph (1) shall be ineligible for assistance 
        provided in accordance with this subchapter if the provider 
        employs a staff member who is ineligible for employment under 
        paragraph (1).</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(d) Submission of Requests for Background Checks.--
</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--A child care provider covered 
        by subsection (c) shall submit a request, to the appropriate 
        State agency designated by a State, for a criminal background 
        check described in subsection (b), for each child care staff 
        member (including prospective child care staff members) of the 
        provider.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Staff members.--Subject to paragraph (4), in 
        the case of an individual who became a child care staff member 
        before the date of enactment of the Child Care and Development 
        Block Grant Act of 2013, the provider shall submit such a 
        request--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) prior to the last day described in 
                subsection (i)(1); and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) not less often than once during each 
                5-year period following the first submission date under 
                this paragraph for that staff member.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Prospective staff members.--Subject to 
        paragraph (4), in the case of an individual who is a 
        prospective child care staff member on or after that date of 
        enactment, the provider shall submit such a request--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) prior to the date the individual 
                becomes a child care staff member of the provider; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) not less often than once during each 
                5-year period following the first submission date under 
                this paragraph for that staff member.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Background check for another child care 
        provider.--A child care provider shall not be required to 
        submit a request under paragraph (2) or (3) for a child care 
        staff member if--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) the staff member received a 
                background check described in subsection (b)--
                </DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) within 5 years before the 
                        latest date on which such a submission may be 
                        made; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) while employed by or 
                        seeking employment by another child care 
                        provider within the State; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) the State provides to the provider a 
                qualifying background check result, consistent with 
                this subchapter, for the child care staff member, who 
                may have become separated from employment from a child 
                care provider within the State for a period of not more 
                than 180 consecutive days.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(e) Background Check Results and Appeals.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Background check results.--The State shall 
        carry out the request of a child care provider for a criminal 
        background check as expeditiously as possible and shall provide 
        the results of the criminal background check to such provider 
        and to the current or prospective staff member.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Privacy.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The State shall provide 
                the results of the criminal background check to the 
                provider in a statement that indicates whether a child 
                care staff member (including a prospective child care 
                staff member) is eligible or ineligible for employment 
                described in subsection (c), without revealing any 
                disqualifying crime or other related information 
                regarding the individual.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Ineligible staff member.--If the 
                child care staff member is ineligible for such 
                employment due to the background check, the State will, 
                when providing the results of the background check, 
                include information related to each disqualifying 
                crime, in a report to the staff member or prospective 
                staff member.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Public release of results.--No State 
                shall publicly release or share the results of 
                individual background checks, however such results of 
                background checks may be included in the development or 
                dissemination of local or statewide data related to 
                background checks, if such results are not individually 
                identifiable.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Appeals.--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) In general.--The State shall provide 
                for a process by which a child care staff member 
                (including a prospective child care staff member) may 
                appeal the results of a criminal background check 
                conducted under this section to challenge the accuracy 
                or completeness of the information contained in such 
                member's criminal background report.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Appeals process.--The State shall 
                ensure that--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) the appeals process is 
                        completed in a timely manner for each child 
                        care staff member;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) each child care staff 
                        member shall be given notice of the opportunity 
                        to appeal; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) a child care staff member 
                        will receive instructions about how to complete 
                        the appeals process if the child care staff 
                        member wishes to challenge the accuracy or 
                        completeness of the information in his or her 
                        criminal background report.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Review.--The State may allow for a review 
        process through which the State may determine that a child care 
        staff member (including a prospective child care staff member) 
        disqualified for a crime specified in subsection (c)(1)(D)(ix) 
        is eligible for employment described in subsection (c)(1), 
        notwithstanding subsection (c). The review process shall be 
        consistent with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 
        U.S.C. 2000e et seq.).</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) No private right of action.--Nothing in this 
        section shall be construed to create a private right of action 
        if the provider is in compliance with State regulations and 
        requirements.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(f) Fees for Background Checks.--Fees that a State may 
charge for the costs of processing applications and administering a 
criminal background check as required by this section shall not exceed 
the actual costs to the State for the processing and 
administration.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(g) Construction.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) Disqualification for other crimes.--Nothing 
        in this section shall be construed to prevent a State from 
        disqualifying individuals as child care staff members based on 
        their conviction for crimes not specifically listed in this 
        section that bear upon the fitness of an individual to provide 
        care for and have responsibility for the safety and well-being 
        of children.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Rights and remedies.--Nothing in this 
        section shall be construed to alter or otherwise affect the 
        rights and remedies provided for child care staff members 
        residing in a State that disqualifies individuals as child care 
        staff members for crimes not specifically provided for under 
        this subchapter.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(h) Definitions.--In this section--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) the term `child care provider' means a 
        center-based child care provider, a family child care provider, 
        or another provider of child care services for compensation and 
        on a regular basis that--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) is not an individual who is related 
                to all children for whom child care services are 
                provided; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) is licensed, regulated, or 
                registered under State law or receives assistance 
                provided in accordance with this subchapter; 
                and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) the term `child care staff member' means an 
        individual (other than an individual who is related to all 
        children for whom child care services are provided)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) who is employed by a child care 
                provider for compensation;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) whose activities involve the care or 
                supervision of children for a child care provider or 
                unsupervised access to children who are cared for or 
                supervised by a child care provider; or</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) who is a family child care 
                provider.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(i) Effective Date.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--A State that receives funds 
        under this subchapter shall meet the requirements of this 
        section for the provision of criminal background checks for 
        child care staff members described in subsection (d)(1) not 
        later than the last day of the second full fiscal year after 
        the date of enactment of the Child Care and Development Block 
        Grant Act of 1990.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Extension.--The Secretary may grant a State 
        an extension of time, of not more than 1 fiscal year, to meet 
        the requirements of this section if the State demonstrates a 
        good faith effort to comply with the requirements of this 
        section.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Penalty for noncompliance.--Except as 
        provided in paragraphs (1) and (2), for any fiscal year that a 
        State fails to comply substantially with the requirements of 
        this section, the Secretary shall withhold 5 percent of the 
        funds that would otherwise be allocated to that State in 
        accordance with this subchapter for the following fiscal 
        year.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 8. REPORTS AND INFORMATION.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    (a) Administration.--Section 658I(a)(2) of the Child Care 
and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858g(a)(2)) is 
amended by inserting a comma after ``publish''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (b) Reports.--Section 658K(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 
9858i(a)) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) in paragraph (1)(B)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in clause (ix), by striking ``and'' at 
                the end;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in clause (x), by striking the period 
                and inserting ``; and''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (C) by inserting after clause (x), the 
                following:</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(xi) whether the children 
                        receiving assistance under this subchapter are 
                        homeless children;''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) in paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph 
                (A), by striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2014''; 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
                ``section 658P(5)'' and inserting ``section 
                658P(6)''.</DELETED>
<DELETED>    (c) Report by Secretary.--Section 658L of such Act (42 
U.S.C. 9858j) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking the section heading and inserting 
        the following:</DELETED>

<DELETED>``SEC. 658L. REPORTS, HOTLINE, AND WEB SITE.'';</DELETED>

        <DELETED>    (2) by striking ``Not later'' and inserting the 
        following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(a) Report by Secretary.--Not later'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by striking ``1998'' and inserting ``2015''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) by striking ``to the Committee'' and all that 
        follows through ``of the Senate'' and inserting ``to the 
        Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House of 
        Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, 
        and Pensions of the Senate''; and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) by adding at the end the following:</DELETED>
<DELETED>    ``(b) National Toll-Free Hotline and Web Site.--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall operate a 
        national toll-free hotline and Web site, to--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) develop and disseminate publicly 
                available child care consumer education information for 
                parents and help parents access safe, affordable, and 
                quality child care in their community; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) to allow persons to report 
                (anonymously if desired) suspected child abuse or 
                neglect, or violations of health and safety 
                requirements, by an eligible child care provider that 
                receives assistance under this subchapter.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(2) Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure 
        that the hotline and Web site meet the following 
        requirements:</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) Referral to local child care 
                providers.--The Web site shall be hosted by 
                `childcare.gov'. The Web site shall enable a child care 
                consumer to enter a zip code and obtain a referral to 
                local child care providers described in subparagraph 
                (B) within a specified search radius.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) Information.--The Web site shall 
                provide to consumers, directly or through linkages to 
                State databases, at a minimum--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) a localized list of all 
                        State licensed child care providers;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) any provider-specific 
                        information from a Quality Rating and 
                        Improvement System or information about other 
                        quality indicators, to the extent the 
                        information is publicly available and to the 
                        extent practicable;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iii) any other provider-
                        specific information about compliance with 
                        licensing, and health and safety, requirements 
                        to the extent the information is publicly 
                        available and to the extent 
                        practicable;</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(iv) referrals to local resource 
                        and referral organizations from which consumers 
                        can find more information about child care 
                        providers, and a recommendation that consumers 
                        consult with the organizations when selecting a 
                        child care provider; and</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(v) State information about 
                        child care subsidy programs and other financial 
                        supports available to families.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) Nationwide capacity.--The Web site 
                and hotline shall have the capacity to help families in 
                every State and community in the Nation.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) Information at all hours.--The Web 
                site shall provide, to parents and families, access to 
                information about child care 24 hours a day.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(E) Services in different languages.--
                The Web site and hotline shall ensure the widest 
                possible access to services for families who speak 
                languages other than English.</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(F) High-quality consumer education and 
                referral.--The Web site and hotline shall ensure that 
                families have access to child care consumer education 
                and referral services that are consistent and of high 
                quality.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Prohibition.--Nothing in this subsection 
        shall be construed to allow the Secretary to compel States to 
        provide additional data and information that is currently (as 
        of the date of enactment of the Child Care and Development 
        Block Grant Act of 2013) not publicly available, or is not 
        required by this subchapter.''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 9. TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AND WEB SITE.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 658O(a) of the Child Care and Development Block 
Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858m(a)) is amended by adding at the end 
the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) National toll-free hotline and web site.--
        The Secretary shall reserve not less than $1,000,000 of the 
        amount appropriated under this subchapter for each fiscal year 
        for the operation of a national toll-free hotline and Web site, 
        under section 658L(b).''.</DELETED>

<DELETED>SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.</DELETED>

<DELETED>    Section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n) is amended--</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (1) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the 
        following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(3) Child with a disability.--The term `child 
        with a disability' means--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) a child with a disability, as 
                defined in section 602 of the Individuals with 
                Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) a child who is eligible for early 
                intervention services under part C of the Individuals 
                with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et 
                seq.);</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) a child who is less than 13 years of 
                age and who is eligible for services under section 504 
                of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); 
                and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(D) a child with a disability, as 
                defined by the State involved.</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(4) Eligible child.--The term `eligible child' 
        means an individual--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(A) who is less than 13 years of 
                age;</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(B) whose family income does not exceed 
                85 percent of the State median income for a family of 
                the same size; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    ``(C) who--</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(i) resides with a parent or 
                        parents who are working or attending a job 
                        training or educational program; or</DELETED>
                        <DELETED>    ``(ii) is receiving, or needs to 
                        receive, protective services and resides with a 
                        parent or parents not described in clause 
                        (i).'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (9) as 
        paragraphs (6) through (10), respectively;</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (3) by inserting before paragraph (6), as 
        redesignated by paragraph (2), the following:</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    ``(5) English learner.--The term `English learner' 
        means an individual who is limited English proficient, as 
        defined in section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary 
        Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801) or section 637 of the 
        Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9832).'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (4) in paragraph (6)(A), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2)--</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``section 
                658E(c)(2)(E)'' and inserting ``section 
                658E(c)(2)(F)''; and</DELETED>
                <DELETED>    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``section 
                658E(c)(2)(F)'' and inserting ``section 
                658E(c)(2)(I)'';</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (5) in paragraph (9), as redesignated by paragraph 
        (2), by striking ``designated'' and all that follows and 
        inserting ``designated or established under section 658D(a).''; 
        and</DELETED>
        <DELETED>    (6) in paragraph (10), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2), by inserting ``, foster parent,'' after 
        ``guardian''.</DELETED>

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

    This Act may be cited as the ``Child Care and Development Block 
Grant Act of 2014''.

SEC. 2. SHORT TITLE AND PURPOSES.

    Section 658A of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 
1990 (42 U.S.C. 9801 note) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 658A. SHORT TITLE AND PURPOSES.

    ``(a) Short Title.--This subchapter may be cited as the `Child Care 
and Development Block Grant Act of 1990'.
    ``(b) Purposes.--The purposes of this subchapter are--
            ``(1) to allow each State maximum flexibility in developing 
        child care programs and policies that best suit the needs of 
        children and parents within that State;
            ``(2) to promote parental choice to empower working parents 
        to make their own decisions regarding the child care that best 
        suits their family's needs;
            ``(3) to assist States in providing high-quality child care 
        services to parents trying to achieve independence from public 
        assistance;
            ``(4) to assist States in improving the overall quality of 
        child care services and programs by implementing the health, 
        safety, licensing, training, and oversight standards 
        established in this subchapter and in State law (including 
        regulations);
            ``(5) to improve school readiness by having children, 
        families, and child care providers engage in activities, in 
        child care settings, that are developmentally appropriate and 
        age-appropriate for the children and that promote children's 
        language and literacy and mathematics skills, social and 
        emotional development, physical health and development, and 
        approaches to learning;
            ``(6) to encourage States to provide consumer education 
        information to help parents make informed choices about child 
        care services and to promote involvement by parents and family 
        members in the education of their children in child care 
        settings;
            ``(7) to increase the number and percentage of low-income 
        children in high-quality child care settings; and
            ``(8) to improve the coordination and delivery of early 
        childhood education and care (including child care).''.

SEC. 3. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    Section 658B of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 
1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858) is amended by striking ``subchapter'' and all 
that follows, and inserting ``subchapter, such sums as may be necessary 
for each of fiscal years 2015 through 2020.''.

SEC. 4. LEAD AGENCY.

    (a) Designation.--Section 658D(a) of the Child Care and Development 
Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858b(a)) is amended--
            (1) by striking ``chief executive officer'' and inserting 
        ``Governor''; and
            (2) by striking ``designate'' and all that follows and 
        inserting ``designate an agency (which may be an appropriate 
        collaborative agency), or establish a joint interagency office, 
        that complies with the requirements of subsection (b) to serve 
        as the lead agency for the State under this subchapter.''.
    (b) Collaboration With Tribes.--Section 658D(b)(1) of the Child 
Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858b(b)(1)) is 
amended--
            (1) in subparagraph (C), by striking ``and'' at the end;
            (2) in subparagraph (D), by striking the period and 
        inserting ``; and''; and
            (3) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) at the option of an Indian tribe or tribal 
                organization in the State, collaborate and coordinate 
                with such Indian tribe or tribal organization in the 
                development of the State plan.''.

SEC. 5. APPLICATION AND PLAN.

    (a) Period.--Section 658E(b) of the Child Care and Development 
Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858c(b)) is amended, by striking 
``2-year'' and inserting ``3-year''.
    (b) Policies and Procedures.--Section 658E(c) of the Child Care and 
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858c(c)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1), by inserting ``or established'' after 
        ``designated'';
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (B), by inserting a comma after 
                ``care of such providers'';
                    (B) by striking subparagraphs (D) through (H); and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(D) Monitoring and inspection reports.--The plan 
                shall include a certification that the State, not later 
                than 1 year after the State has in effect the policies 
                and practices described in subparagraph (K)(i), will 
                make public by electronic means, in a consumer-friendly 
                and easily accessible format, organized by provider, 
                the results of monitoring and inspection reports, 
                including those due to major substantiated complaints 
                about failure to comply with this subchapter and State 
                child care policies, as well as the number of deaths, 
                serious injuries, and instances of substantiated child 
                abuse that occurred in child care settings each year, 
                for eligible child care providers within the State. The 
                results shall also include information on the date of 
                such an inspection and, where applicable, information 
                on corrective action taken.
                    ``(E) Consumer education information.--The plan 
                shall include a certification that the State will 
                collect and disseminate (which dissemination may be 
                done, except as otherwise specified in this 
                subparagraph, through resource and referral 
                organizations or other means as determined by the 
                State) to parents of eligible children and the general 
                public--
                            ``(i) information that will promote 
                        informed child care choices and that concerns--
                                    ``(I) the availability of child 
                                care services provided through programs 
                                authorized under this subchapter and, 
                                if feasible, other child care services 
                                and other programs provided in the 
                                State for which the family may be 
                                eligible;
                                    ``(II) if available, information 
                                about the quality of providers, 
                                including information from a Quality 
                                Rating and Improvement System;
                                    ``(III) information, made available 
                                through a State website, describing the 
                                State process for licensing child care 
                                providers, the State processes for 
                                conducting background checks, and 
                                monitoring and inspections, of child 
                                care providers, and the offenses that 
                                prevent individuals and entities from 
                                serving as child care providers in the 
                                State;
                                    ``(IV) the availability of 
                                assistance to obtain child care 
                                services;
                                    ``(V) other programs for which 
                                families that receive child care 
                                services for which financial assistance 
                                is provided in accordance with this 
                                subchapter may be eligible, including 
                                the program of block grants to States 
                                for temporary assistance for needy 
                                families established under part A of 
                                title IV of the Social Security Act (42 
                                U.S.C. 601 et seq.), Head Start and 
                                Early Head Start programs carried out 
                                under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                9831 et seq.), the program carried out 
                                under the Low-Income Home Energy 
                                Assistance Act of 1981 (42 U.S.C. 8621 
                                et seq.), the supplemental nutrition 
                                assistance program established under 
                                the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008 (7 
                                U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the special 
                                supplemental nutrition program for 
                                women, infants, and children 
                                established under section 17 of the 
                                Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
                                1786), the child and adult care food 
                                program established under section 17 of 
                                the Richard B. Russell National School 
                                Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766), and the 
                                Medicaid and State children's health 
                                insurance programs under titles XIX and 
                                XXI of the Social Security Act (42 
                                U.S.C. 1396 et seq., 1397aa et seq.);
                                    ``(VI) programs carried out under 
                                section 619 and part C of the 
                                Individuals with Disabilities Education 
                                Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.); and
                                    ``(VII) research and best practices 
                                concerning children's development, 
                                including language and cognitive 
                                development, development of early 
                                language and literacy and mathematics 
                                skills, social and emotional 
                                development, meaningful parent and 
                                family engagement, and physical health 
                                and development (particularly healthy 
                                eating and physical activity);
                            ``(ii) information on developmental 
                        screenings, including--
                                    ``(I) information on existing (as 
                                of the date of submission of the 
                                application containing the plan) 
                                resources and services the State can 
                                deploy, including the coordinated use 
                                of the Early and Periodic Screening, 
                                Diagnosis, and Treatment program under 
                                the Medicaid program carried out under 
                                title XIX of the Social Security Act 
                                (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq.) and 
                                developmental screening services 
                                available under section 619 and part C 
                                of the Individuals with Disabilities 
                                Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et 
                                seq.), in conducting developmental 
                                screenings and providing referrals to 
                                services, when appropriate, for 
                                children who receive assistance under 
                                this subchapter; and
                                    ``(II) a description of how a 
                                family or eligible child care provider 
                                may utilize the resources and services 
                                described in subclause (I) to obtain 
                                developmental screenings for children 
                                who receive assistance under this 
                                subchapter who may be at risk for 
                                cognitive or other developmental 
                                delays, which may include social, 
                                emotional, physical, or linguistic 
                                delays; and
                            ``(iii) information, for parents receiving 
                        assistance under the program of block grants to 
                        States for temporary assistance for needy 
                        families under part A of title IV of the Social 
                        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and low-
                        income parents, about eligibility for 
                        assistance provided in accordance with this 
                        subchapter.
                    ``(F) Compliance with state licensing 
                requirements.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The plan shall include a 
                        certification that the State involved has in 
                        effect licensing requirements applicable to 
                        child care services provided within the State, 
                        and provide a detailed description of such 
                        requirements and of how such requirements are 
                        effectively enforced.
                            ``(ii) License exemption.--If the State 
                        uses funding received under this subchapter to 
                        support a child care provider that is exempt 
                        from the corresponding licensing requirements 
                        described in clause (i), the plan shall include 
                        a description stating why such licensing 
                        exemption does not endanger the health, safety, 
                        or development of children who receive services 
                        from child care providers who are exempt from 
                        such requirements.
                            ``(iii) Requests for relief.--As described 
                        in section 658I(d), a State may request relief 
                        from a provision of Federal law other than this 
                        subchapter that might conflict with a 
                        requirement of this subchapter, including a 
                        licensing requirement.
                    ``(G) Training requirements.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The plan shall describe 
                        the training requirements that are in effect 
                        within the State that are designed to enable 
                        child care providers to promote the social, 
                        emotional, physical, and cognitive development 
                        of children and that are applicable to child 
                        care providers that provide services for which 
                        assistance is provided in accordance with this 
                        subchapter in the State.
                            ``(ii) Requirements.--The plan shall 
                        provide an assurance that such training 
                        requirements--
                                    ``(I) provide a set of workforce 
                                and competency standards for child care 
                                providers that provide services 
                                described in clause (i);
                                    ``(II) are developed in 
                                consultation with the State Advisory 
                                Council on Early Childhood Education 
                                and Care (designated or established 
                                pursuant to section 642B(b)(1)(A)(i) of 
                                the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                9837b(b)(1)(A)(i)));
                                    ``(III) include an evidence-based 
                                training framework that is designed to 
                                promote children's learning and 
                                development and school readiness and to 
                                improve child outcomes, including 
                                school readiness;
                                    ``(IV) incorporate knowledge and 
                                application of the State's early 
                                learning and developmental guidelines 
                                (where applicable), and the State's 
                                child development and health standards; 
                                and
                                    ``(V) to the extent practicable, 
                                are appropriate for a population of 
                                children that includes--
                                            ``(aa) different age groups 
                                        (such as infants, toddlers, and 
                                        preschoolers);
                                            ``(bb) English learners;
                                            ``(cc) children with 
                                        disabilities; and
                                            ``(dd) Native Americans, 
                                        including Indians, as the term 
                                        is defined in section 4 of the 
                                        Indian Self-Determination and 
                                        Education Assistance Act (25 
                                        U.S.C. 450b) (including Alaska 
                                        Natives within the meaning of 
                                        that term), and Native 
                                        Hawaiians (as defined in 
                                        section 7207 of the Elementary 
                                        and Secondary Education Act of 
                                        1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517)).
                            ``(iii) Progression of professional 
                        development.--In developing the requirements, 
                        the State shall develop a statewide progression 
                        of professional development designed to improve 
                        the skills and knowledge of the workforce--
                                    ``(I) which may include the 
                                acquisition of course credit in 
                                postsecondary education or of a 
                                credential, aligned with the framework; 
                                and
                                    ``(II) which shall be accessible to 
                                providers supported through Indian 
                                tribes or tribal organizations that 
                                receive assistance under this 
                                subchapter.
                            ``(iv) Alignment.--The State shall engage 
                        the State Advisory Council on Early Childhood 
                        Education and Care, and may engage institutions 
                        of higher education (as defined in section 102 
                        of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
                        1002)), and other training providers in 
                        aligning training opportunities with the 
                        State's training framework.
                            ``(v) Credentials.--The Secretary shall not 
                        require an individual or entity that provides 
                        child care services for which assistance is 
                        provided in accordance with this subchapter to 
                        acquire a credential to provide such services. 
                        Nothing in this section shall be construed to 
                        prohibit a State from requiring a credential.
                    ``(H) Child-to-provider ratio standards.--
                            ``(i) Standards.--The plan shall describe 
                        child care standards, for child care for which 
                        assistance is made available in accordance with 
                        this subchapter, appropriate to the type of 
                        child care setting involved, that address--
                                    ``(I) group size limits for 
                                specific age populations;
                                    ``(II) the appropriate ratio 
                                between the number of children and the 
                                number of providers, in terms of the 
                                age of the children in child care, as 
                                determined by the State; and
                                    ``(III) required qualifications for 
                                such providers.
                            ``(ii) Construction.--The Secretary may 
                        offer guidance to States on child-to-provider 
                        ratios described in clause (i) according to 
                        setting and age group but shall not require 
                        that States maintain specific child-to-provider 
                        ratios for providers who receive assistance 
                        under this subchapter.
                    ``(I) Health and safety requirements.--The plan 
                shall include a certification that there are in effect 
                within the State, under State or local law, 
                requirements designed to protect the health and safety 
                of children that are applicable to child care providers 
                that provide services for which assistance is made 
                available in accordance with this subchapter. Such 
                requirements--
                            ``(i) shall relate to matters including 
                        health and safety topics (including prevention 
                        of shaken baby syndrome and abusive head 
                        trauma) consisting of--
                                    ``(I) the prevention and control of 
                                infectious diseases (including 
                                immunization) and the establishment of 
                                a grace period that allows homeless 
                                children to receive services under this 
                                subchapter while their families are 
                                taking any necessary action to comply 
                                with immunization and other health and 
                                safety requirements;
                                    ``(II) handwashing and universal 
                                health precautions;
                                    ``(III) the administration of 
                                medication, consistent with standards 
                                for parental consent;
                                    ``(IV) the prevention of and 
                                response to emergencies due to food and 
                                other allergic reactions;
                                    ``(V) prevention of sudden infant 
                                death syndrome and use of safe sleeping 
                                practices;
                                    ``(VI) sanitary methods of food 
                                handling;
                                    ``(VII) building and physical 
                                premises safety;
                                    ``(VIII) emergency preparedness and 
                                response planning for emergencies 
                                resulting from a natural disaster, or a 
                                man-caused event (such as violence at a 
                                child care facility), within the 
                                meaning of those terms under section 
                                602(a)(1) of the Robert T. Stafford 
                                Disaster Relief and Emergency 
                                Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 5195a(a)(1));
                                    ``(IX) the handling and storage of 
                                hazardous materials and the appropriate 
                                disposal of biocontaminants;
                                    ``(X) identification of and 
                                protection from hazards that can cause 
                                bodily injury such as electrical 
                                hazards, bodies of water, and vehicular 
                                traffic;
                                    ``(XI) for providers that offer 
                                transportation, if applicable, 
                                appropriate precautions in transporting 
                                children;
                                    ``(XII) first aid and 
                                cardiopulmonary resuscitation; and
                                    ``(XIII) minimum health and safety 
                                training, to be completed pre-service 
                                or during an orientation period, 
                                appropriate to the provider setting 
                                involved that addresses each of the 
                                requirements relating to matters 
                                described in subclauses (I) through 
                                (XII); and
                            ``(ii) may include requirements relating to 
                        nutrition, access to physical activity, or any 
                        other subject area determined by the State to 
                        be necessary to promote child development or to 
                        protect children's health and safety.
                    ``(J) Compliance with state and local health and 
                safety requirements.--The plan shall include a 
                certification that procedures are in effect to ensure 
                that child care providers within the State, that 
                provide services for which assistance is made available 
                in accordance with this subchapter, comply with all 
                applicable State and local health and safety 
                requirements as described in subparagraph (I).
                    ``(K) Enforcement of licensing and other regulatory 
                requirements.--
                            ``(i) Certification.--The plan shall 
                        include a certification that the State, not 
                        later than 2 years after the date of enactment 
                        of the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
                        Act of 2014, shall have in effect policies and 
                        practices, applicable to licensing or 
                        regulating child care providers that provide 
                        services for which assistance is made available 
                        in accordance with this subchapter and the 
                        facilities of those providers, that--
                                    ``(I) ensure that individuals who 
                                are hired as licensing inspectors in 
                                the State are qualified to inspect 
                                those child care providers and 
                                facilities and have received training 
                                in related health and safety 
                                requirements, child development, child 
                                abuse prevention and detection, program 
                                management, and relevant law 
                                enforcement;
                                    ``(II) require licensing inspectors 
                                (or qualified inspectors designated by 
                                the lead agency) of those child care 
                                providers and facilities to perform 
                                inspections, with--
                                            ``(aa) not less than 1 
                                        prelicensure inspection for 
                                        compliance with health, safety, 
                                        and fire standards, of each 
                                        such child care provider and 
                                        facility in the State; and
                                            ``(bb) not less than 
                                        annually, an inspection (which 
                                        shall be unannounced) of each 
                                        such child care provider and 
                                        facility in the State for 
                                        compliance with all child care 
                                        licensing standards, which 
                                        shall include an inspection for 
                                        compliance with health, safety, 
                                        and fire standards (although 
                                        inspectors may or may not 
                                        inspect for compliance with all 
                                        3 standards at the same time); 
                                        and
                                    ``(III) require the ratio of 
                                licensing inspectors to such child care 
                                providers and facilities in the State 
                                to--
                                            ``(aa) be maintained at a 
                                        level sufficient to enable the 
                                        State to conduct inspections of 
                                        such child care providers and 
                                        facilities on a timely basis in 
                                        accordance with Federal and 
                                        State law; and
                                            ``(bb) be consistent with 
                                        research findings and best 
                                        practices.
                            ``(ii) Construction.--The Secretary may 
                        offer guidance to a State, if requested by the 
                        State, on a research-based minimum standard 
                        regarding ratios described in clause (i)(III) 
                        and provide technical assistance to the State 
                        on meeting the minimum standard within a 
                        reasonable time period, but shall not prescribe 
                        a particular ratio.
                    ``(L) Compliance with child abuse reporting 
                requirements.--The plan shall include a certification 
                that child care providers within the State will comply 
                with the child abuse reporting requirements of section 
                106(b)(2)(B)(i) of the Child Abuse Prevention and 
                Treatment Act (42 U.S.C. 5106a(b)(2)(B)(i)).
                    ``(M) Meeting the needs of certain populations.--
                The plan shall describe how the State will develop and 
                implement strategies (which may include the provision 
                of compensation at higher payment rates and bonuses to 
                child care providers, the provision of direct contracts 
                or grants to community-based organizations, or other 
                means determined by the State) to increase the supply 
                and improve the quality of child care for--
                            ``(i) children in underserved areas;
                            ``(ii) infants and toddlers;
                            ``(iii) children with disabilities, as 
                        defined by the State; and
                            ``(iv) children who receive care during 
                        nontraditional hours.
                    ``(N) Protection for working parents.--
                            ``(i) Minimum period.--
                                    ``(I) 12-month period.--The plan 
                                shall demonstrate that each child who 
                                receives assistance under this 
                                subchapter in the State will be 
                                considered to meet all eligibility 
                                requirements for such assistance and 
                                will receive such assistance, for not 
                                less than 12 months before the State 
                                redetermines the eligibility of the 
                                child under this subchapter, regardless 
                                of a temporary change in the ongoing 
                                status of the child's parent as working 
                                or attending a job training or 
                                educational program or a change in 
                                family income for the child's family, 
                                if that family income does not exceed 
                                85 percent of the State median income 
                                for a family of the same size.
                                    ``(II) Fluctuations in earnings.--
                                The plan shall demonstrate how the 
                                State's processes for initial 
                                determination and redetermination of 
                                such eligibility take into account 
                                irregular fluctuations in earnings.
                            ``(ii) Redetermination process.--The plan 
                        shall describe the procedures and policies that 
                        are in place to ensure that working parents 
                        (especially parents in families receiving 
                        assistance under the program of block grants to 
                        States for temporary assistance for needy 
                        families under part A of title IV of the Social 
                        Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)) are not 
                        required to unduly disrupt their employment in 
                        order to comply with the State's requirements 
                        for redetermination of eligibility for 
                        assistance provided in accordance with this 
                        subchapter.
                            ``(iii) Period before termination.--At the 
                        option of the State, the plan shall demonstrate 
                        that the State will not terminate assistance 
                        provided to carry out this subchapter based on 
                        a factor consisting of a parent's loss of work 
                        or cessation of attendance at a job training or 
                        educational program for which the family was 
                        receiving the assistance, without continuing 
                        the assistance for a reasonable period of time, 
                        of not less than 3 months, after such loss or 
                        cessation in order for the parent to engage in 
                        a job search and resume work, or resume 
                        attendance at a job training or educational 
                        program, as soon as possible.
                            ``(iv) Graduated phaseout of care.--The 
                        plan shall describe the policies and procedures 
                        that are in place to allow for provision of 
                        continued assistance to carry out this 
                        subchapter, at the beginning of a new 
                        eligibility period under clause (i)(I), for 
                        children of parents who are working or 
                        attending a job training or educational program 
                        and whose family income exceeds the State's 
                        income limit to initially qualify for such 
                        assistance, if the family income for the family 
                        involved does not exceed 85 percent of the 
                        State median income for a family of the same 
                        size.
                    ``(O) Coordination with other programs.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The plan shall describe 
                        how the State, in order to expand accessibility 
                        and continuity of quality early childhood 
                        education and care, and assist children 
                        enrolled in prekindergarten, Early Head Start, 
                        or Head Start programs to receive full-day 
                        services, will coordinate the services 
                        supported to carry out this subchapter with--
                                    ``(I) programs carried out under 
                                the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et 
                                seq.), including the Early Head Start 
                                programs carried out under section 645A 
                                of that Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a);
                                    ``(II) programs carried out under 
                                part A of title I, and part B of title 
                                IV, of the Elementary and Secondary 
                                Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6311 
                                et seq., 7171 et seq.);
                                    ``(III) programs carried out under 
                                section 619 and part C of the 
                                Individuals with Disabilities Education 
                                Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.);
                                    ``(IV) the maternal, infant, and 
                                early childhood home visiting programs 
                                authorized under section 511 of the 
                                Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 711), as 
                                added by section 2951 of the Patient 
                                Protection and Affordable Care Act 
                                (Public Law 111-148);
                                    ``(V) State, Indian tribe or tribal 
                                organization, and locally funded early 
                                childhood education and care programs;
                                    ``(VI) programs serving homeless 
                                children and services of local 
                                educational agency liaisons for 
                                homeless children and youths designated 
                                under subsection (g)(1)(J)(ii) of 
                                section 722 of the McKinney-Vento 
                                Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 
                                11432(g)(1)(J)(ii)); and
                                    ``(VII) other Federal programs 
                                supporting early childhood education 
                                and care activities, and, where 
                                applicable, child care programs funded 
                                through State veterans affairs offices.
                            ``(ii) Rule of construction.--Nothing in 
                        clause (i) shall be construed to affect the 
                        priority of children described in clause (i) to 
                        receive full-day prekindergarten or Head Start 
                        program services.
                    ``(P) Public-private partnerships.--The plan shall 
                demonstrate how the State encourages partnerships among 
                State agencies, other public agencies, Indian tribes 
                and tribal organizations, and private entities to 
                leverage existing service delivery systems (as of the 
                date of the submission of the application containing 
                the plan) for early childhood education and care and to 
                increase the supply and quality of child care services 
                for children who are less than 13 years of age, such as 
                by implementing voluntary shared services alliance 
                models.
                    ``(Q) Priority for low-income populations.--The 
                plan shall describe the process the State proposes to 
                use, with respect to investments made to increase 
                access to programs providing high-quality early 
                childhood education and care, to give priority for 
                those investments to children of families in areas that 
                have significant concentrations of poverty and 
                unemployment and that do not have such programs.
                    ``(R) Consultation.--The plan shall include a 
                certification that the State has developed the plan in 
                consultation with the State Advisory Council on Early 
                Childhood Education and Care designated or established 
                pursuant to section 642B(b)(1)(A)(i) of the Head Start 
                Act (42 U.S.C. 9837b(b)(1)(A)(i)).
                    ``(S) Payment practices.--The plan shall include a 
                certification that the payment practices of child care 
                providers in the State that serve children who receive 
                assistance under this subchapter reflect generally 
                accepted payment practices of child care providers in 
                the State that serve children who do not receive 
                assistance under this subchapter, so as to provide 
                stability of funding and encourage more child care 
                providers to serve children who receive assistance 
                under this subchapter.
                    ``(T) Early learning and developmental 
                guidelines.--
                            ``(i) In general.--The plan shall include 
                        an assurance that the State will develop or 
                        implement early learning and developmental 
                        guidelines that are appropriate for children 
                        from birth through entry into kindergarten, 
                        describing what such children should know and 
                        be able to do, and covering the essential 
                        domains of early childhood education and care 
                        and early childhood development for use 
                        statewide by child care providers. Such child 
                        care providers shall--
                                    ``(I) be licensed or regulated 
                                under State law; and
                                    ``(II) not be a relative of all 
                                children for whom the provider provides 
                                child care services.
                            ``(ii) Alignment.--The guidelines shall be 
                        research-based, developmentally appropriate, 
                        and aligned with State standards for education 
                        in kindergarten through grade 3.
                            ``(iii) Prohibition on use of funds.--The 
                        plan shall include an assurance that funds 
                        received by the State to carry out this 
                        subchapter will not be used to develop or 
                        implement an assessment for children that--
                                    ``(I) will be the sole basis for a 
                                child care provider being determined to 
                                be ineligible to participate in the 
                                program carried out under this 
                                subchapter;
                                    ``(II) will be used as the primary 
                                or sole basis to provide a reward or 
                                sanction for an individual provider;
                                    ``(III) will be used as the primary 
                                or sole method for assessing program 
                                effectiveness; or
                                    ``(IV) will be used to deny 
                                eligibility to participate in the 
                                program carried out under this 
                                subchapter.
                            ``(iv) Exceptions.--Nothing in this 
                        subchapter shall preclude the State from using 
                        a single assessment (if appropriate) for 
                        children for--
                                    ``(I) supporting learning or 
                                improving a classroom environment;
                                    ``(II) targeting professional 
                                development to a provider;
                                    ``(III) determining the need for 
                                health, mental health, disability, 
                                developmental delay, or family support 
                                services;
                                    ``(IV) obtaining information for 
                                the quality improvement process at the 
                                State level; or
                                    ``(V) conducting a program 
                                evaluation for the purposes of 
                                providing program improvement and 
                                parent information.
                            ``(v) No federal control.--Nothing in this 
                        section shall be construed to authorize an 
                        officer or employee of the Federal Government 
                        to--
                                    ``(I) mandate, direct, or control a 
                                State's early learning and 
                                developmental guidelines, developed in 
                                accordance with this section;
                                    ``(II) establish any criterion that 
                                specifies, defines, or prescribes the 
                                standards or measures that a State uses 
                                to establish, implement, or improve--
                                            ``(aa) early learning and 
                                        developmental guidelines, or 
                                        early learning standards, 
                                        assessments, or accountability 
                                        systems; or
                                            ``(bb) alignment of early 
                                        learning and developmental 
                                        guidelines with State standards 
                                        for education in kindergarten 
                                        through grade 3; or
                                    ``(III) require a State to submit 
                                such standards or measures for 
                                review.'';
            (3) in paragraph (3)--
                    (A) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``as required 
                under'' and inserting ``in accordance with'';
                    (B) in subparagraph (B)--
                            (i) by striking ``The State'' and inserting 
                        the following:
                            ``(i) In general.--The State'';
                            (ii) by striking ``and any other activity 
                        that the State deems appropriate to realize any 
                        of the goals specified in paragraphs (2) 
                        through (5) of section 658A(b)'' and inserting 
                        ``activities that improve access to child care 
                        services, including use of procedures to permit 
                        immediate enrollment (after the initial 
                        eligibility determination and after a child is 
                        determined to be eligible) of homeless children 
                        while required documentation is obtained, 
                        training and technical assistance on 
                        identifying and serving homeless children and 
                        their families, and specific outreach to 
                        homeless families, and any other activity that 
                        the State determines to be appropriate to meet 
                        the purposes of this subchapter (which may 
                        include an activity described in clause 
                        (ii))''; and
                            (iii) by adding at the end the following:
                            ``(ii) Child care resource and referral 
                        system.--
                                    ``(I) In general.--A State may use 
                                amounts described in clause (i) to 
                                establish or support a system of local 
                                or regional child care resource and 
                                referral organizations that is 
                                coordinated, to the extent determined 
                                appropriate by the State, by a 
                                statewide public or private nonprofit, 
                                community-based or regionally based, 
                                lead child care resource and referral 
                                organization.
                                    ``(II) Local or regional 
                                organizations.--The local or regional 
                                child care resource and referral 
                                organizations supported as described in 
                                subclause (I) shall--
                                            ``(aa) provide parents in 
                                        the State with consumer 
                                        education information referred 
                                        to in paragraph (2)(E) (except 
                                        as otherwise provided in that 
                                        paragraph), concerning the full 
                                        range of child care options, 
                                        analyzed by provider, including 
                                        child care provided during 
                                        nontraditional hours and 
                                        through emergency child care 
                                        centers, in their political 
                                        subdivisions or regions;
                                            ``(bb) to the extent 
                                        practicable, work directly with 
                                        families who receive assistance 
                                        under this subchapter to offer 
                                        the families support and 
                                        assistance, using information 
                                        described in item (aa), to make 
                                        an informed decision about 
                                        which child care providers they 
                                        will use, in an effort to 
                                        ensure that the families are 
                                        enrolling their children in 
                                        high-quality care;
                                            ``(cc) collect and analyze 
                                        data on the coordination of 
                                        services and supports, 
                                        including services under 
                                        section 619 and part C of the 
                                        Individuals with Disabilities 
                                        Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 
                                        1431 et seq.), for children 
                                        with disabilities (as defined 
                                        in section 602 of such Act (20 
                                        U.S.C. 1401));
                                            ``(dd) collect and analyze 
                                        data on the supply of and 
                                        demand for child care in 
                                        political subdivisions or 
                                        regions within the State and 
                                        submit such data and analysis 
                                        to the State;
                                            ``(ee) work to establish 
                                        partnerships with public 
                                        agencies and private entities 
                                        to increase the supply and 
                                        quality of child care services 
                                        in the State; and
                                            ``(ff) as appropriate, 
                                        coordinate their activities 
                                        with the activities of the 
                                        State lead agency and local 
                                        agencies that administer funds 
                                        made available in accordance 
                                        with this subchapter.'';
                    (C) in subparagraph (D)--
                            (i) by striking ``1997 through 2002'' and 
                        inserting ``2015 through 2020''; and
                            (ii) by striking ``families described in 
                        paragraph (2)(H)'' and inserting ``families 
                        with children described in clause (i), (ii), 
                        (iii), or (iv) of paragraph (2)(M)''; and
                    (D) by adding at the end the following:
                    ``(E) Direct services.--From amounts provided to a 
                State for a fiscal year to carry out this subchapter, 
                the State shall--
                            ``(i) reserve the minimum amount required 
                        to be reserved under section 658G, and the 
                        funds for costs described in subparagraph (C); 
                        and
                            ``(ii) from the remainder, use not less 
                        than 70 percent to fund direct services 
                        (provided by the State) in accordance with 
                        paragraph (2)(A).'';
            (4) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
            ``(4) Payment rates.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The State plan shall certify 
                that payment rates for the provision of child care 
                services for which assistance is provided in accordance 
                with this subchapter are sufficient to ensure equal 
                access for eligible children to child care services 
                that are comparable to child care services in the State 
                or substate area involved that are provided to children 
                whose parents are not eligible to receive assistance 
                under this subchapter or to receive child care 
                assistance under any other Federal or State program and 
                shall provide a summary of the facts relied on by the 
                State to determine that such rates are sufficient to 
                ensure such access.
                    ``(B) Survey.--The State plan shall--
                            ``(i) demonstrate that the State has, after 
                        consulting with the State Advisory Council on 
                        Early Childhood Education and Care designated 
                        or established in section 642B(b)(1)(A)(i) of 
                        the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
                        9837b(b)(1)(A)(i)), local child care program 
                        administrators, local child care resource and 
                        referral agencies, and other appropriate 
                        entities, developed and conducted (not earlier 
                        than 2 years before the date of the submission 
                        of the application containing the State plan) a 
                        statistically valid and reliable survey of the 
                        market rates for child care services in the 
                        State (that reflects variations in the cost of 
                        child care services by geographic area, type of 
                        provider, and age of child);
                            ``(ii) demonstrate that the State prepared 
                        a detailed report containing the results of the 
                        State market rates survey conducted pursuant to 
                        clause (i), and made the results of the survey 
                        widely available (not later than 30 days after 
                        the completion of such survey) through periodic 
                        means, including posting the results on the 
                        Internet;
                            ``(iii) describe how the State will set 
                        payment rates for child care services, for 
                        which assistance is provided in accordance with 
                        this subchapter--
                                    ``(I) in accordance with the 
                                results of the market rates survey 
                                conducted pursuant to clause (i);
                                    ``(II) taking into consideration 
                                the cost of providing higher quality 
                                child care services than were provided 
                                under this subchapter before the date 
                                of enactment of the Child Care and 
                                Development Block Grant Act of 2014; 
                                and
                                    ``(III) without, to the extent 
                                practicable, reducing the number of 
                                families in the State receiving such 
                                assistance to carry out this 
                                subchapter, relative to the number of 
                                such families on the date of enactment 
                                of that Act; and
                            ``(iv) describe how the State will provide 
                        for timely payment for child care services 
                        provided in accordance with this subchapter.
                    ``(C) Construction.--
                            ``(i) No private right of action.--Nothing 
                        in this paragraph shall be construed to create 
                        a private right of action.
                            ``(ii) No prohibition of certain different 
                        rates.--Nothing in this subchapter shall be 
                        construed to prevent a State from 
                        differentiating the payment rates described in 
                        subparagraph (B)(iii) on the basis of such 
                        factors as--
                                    ``(I) geographic location of child 
                                care providers (such as location in an 
                                urban or rural area);
                                    ``(II) the age or particular needs 
                                of children (such as the needs of 
                                children with disabilities and children 
                                served by child protective services);
                                    ``(III) whether the providers 
                                provide child care during weekend and 
                                other nontraditional hours; or
                                    ``(IV) the State's determination 
                                that such differentiated payment rates 
                                are needed to enable a parent to choose 
                                child care that is of high quality.''; 
                                and
            (5) in paragraph (5), by inserting ``(that is not a barrier 
        to families receiving assistance under this subchapter)'' after 
        ``cost sharing''.
    (c) Technical Amendment.--Section 658F(b)(2) of the Child Care and 
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858d(b)(2)) is amended 
by striking ``section 658E(c)(2)(F)'' and inserting ``section 
658E(c)(2)(I)''.

SEC. 6. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE.

    Section 658G of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 
1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858e) is amended to read as follows:

``SEC. 658G. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE.

    ``(a) Reservation.--
            ``(1) Reservation for activities relating to the quality of 
        child care services.--A State that receives funds to carry out 
        this subchapter for a fiscal year referred to in paragraph (2) 
        shall reserve and use a portion of such funds, in accordance 
        with paragraph (2), for activities provided directly, or 
        through grants or contracts with local child care resource and 
        referral organizations or other appropriate entities, that are 
        designed to improve the quality of child care services and 
        increase parental options for, and access to, high-quality 
        child care, provided in accordance with this subchapter.
            ``(2) Amount of reservations.--Such State shall reserve and 
        use--
                    ``(A) to carry out the activities described in 
                paragraph (1), not less than--
                            ``(i) 6 percent of the funds described in 
                        paragraph (1), for the first and second full 
                        fiscal years after the date of enactment of the 
                        Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 
                        2014;
                            ``(ii) 8 percent of such funds, for the 
                        third and fourth full fiscal years after the 
                        date of enactment; and
                            ``(iii) 10 percent of such funds, for the 
                        fifth full fiscal year after the date of 
                        enactment and each succeeding fiscal year; and
                    ``(B) in addition to the funds reserved under 
                subparagraph (A), 3 percent of the funds described in 
                paragraph (1), for the first full fiscal year after the 
                date of enactment and each succeeding fiscal year, to 
                carry out the activities described in paragraph (1) and 
                subsection (b)(4), as such activities relate to the 
                quality of care for infants and toddlers.
    ``(b) Activities.--Funds reserved under subsection (a) shall be 
used to carry out not fewer than 2 of the following activities:
            ``(1) Supporting the training, professional development, 
        and professional advancement of the child care workforce 
        through activities such as--
                    ``(A) offering child care providers training and 
                professional development that is intentional and 
                sequential and leads to a higher level of skill or 
                certification;
                    ``(B) establishing or supporting programs designed 
                to increase the retention and improve the competencies 
                of child care providers, including wage incentive 
                programs and initiatives that establish tiered payment 
                rates for providers that meet or exceed child care 
                services guidelines, as defined by the State;
                    ``(C) offering training, professional development, 
                and educational opportunities for child care providers 
                that relate to the use of developmentally appropriate 
                and age-appropriate curricula, and early childhood 
                teaching strategies, that are scientifically based and 
                aligned with the social, emotional, physical, and 
                cognitive development of children, including offering 
                specialized training for child care providers who care 
                for infants and toddlers, children who are English 
                learners, and children with disabilities (as defined in 
                section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities 
                Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401));
                    ``(D) providing training concerning the State early 
                learning and developmental guidelines, where 
                applicable, including training concerning early 
                mathematics and early language and literacy development 
                and effective instructional practices to support 
                mathematics and language and literacy development in 
                young children;
                    ``(E) incorporating effective use of data to guide 
                instruction and program improvement;
                    ``(F) including effective behavior management 
                strategies and training, including positive behavioral 
                interventions and supports, that promote positive 
                social and emotional development and reduce challenge 
                behaviors;
                    ``(G) at the option of the State, incorporating 
                feedback from experts at the State's institutions of 
                higher education, as defined in section 102 of the 
                Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002), and 
                other early childhood development experts and early 
                childhood education and care experts;
                    ``(H) providing training corresponding to the 
                nutritional and physical activity needs of children to 
                promote healthy development;
                    ``(I) providing training or professional 
                development for child care providers to serve and 
                support children with disabilities;
                    ``(J) providing training and outreach on engaging 
                parents and families in culturally and linguistically 
                appropriate ways to expand their knowledge, skills, and 
                capacity to become meaningful partners in supporting 
                their children's learning and development; and
                    ``(K) providing training or professional 
                development for child care providers regarding the 
                early neurological development of children.
            ``(2) Supporting the use of the early learning and 
        developmental guidelines described in section 658E(c)(2)(T) 
        by--
                    ``(A) developing and implementing the State's early 
                learning and developmental guidelines; and
                    ``(B) providing technical assistance to enhance 
                early learning for preschool and school-aged children 
                in order to promote language and literacy skills, 
                foster school readiness, and support later school 
                success.
            ``(3) Developing and implementing a tiered quality rating 
        system for child care providers, which shall--
                    ``(A) support and assess the quality of child care 
                providers in the State;
                    ``(B) build on licensing standards and other State 
                regulatory standards for such providers;
                    ``(C) be designed to improve the quality of 
                different types of child care providers;
                    ``(D) describe the quality of early learning 
                facilities;
                    ``(E) build the capacity of State early childhood 
                education and care programs and communities to promote 
                parents' and families' understanding of the State's 
                early childhood education and care system and the 
                ratings of the programs in which the child is enrolled; 
                and
                    ``(F) provide, to the maximum extent practicable, 
                financial incentives and other supports designed to 
                help child care providers achieve and sustain higher 
                levels of quality.
            ``(4) Improving the supply and quality of child care 
        programs and services for infants and toddlers through 
        activities, which may include--
                    ``(A) establishing or expanding neighborhood-based 
                high-quality comprehensive family and child development 
                centers, which may serve as resources to child care 
                providers in order to improve the quality of early 
                childhood education and care and early childhood 
                development services provided to infants and toddlers 
                from low-income families and to help eligible child 
                care providers improve their capacity to offer high-
                quality care to infants and toddlers from low-income 
                families;
                    ``(B) establishing or expanding the operation of 
                community or neighborhood-based family child care 
                networks;
                    ``(C) supporting statewide networks of infant and 
                toddler child care specialists, including specialists 
                who have knowledge regarding infant and toddler 
                development and curriculum and program implementation 
                as well as the ability to coordinate services with 
                early intervention specialists who provide services for 
                infants and toddlers with disabilities under part C of 
                the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (20 
                U.S.C. 1431 et seq.);
                    ``(D) carrying out initiatives to improve the 
                quality of the infant and toddler child care workforce, 
                such as providing relevant training, professional 
                development, or mentoring opportunities and linking 
                such opportunities to career pathways, developing 
                career pathways for providers in such workforce, and 
                improving the State credentialing of eligible providers 
                caring for infants and toddlers;
                    ``(E) if applicable, developing infant and toddler 
                components within the State's quality rating system 
                described in paragraph (3) for child care providers for 
                infants and toddlers, or the development of infant and 
                toddler components in a State's child care licensing 
                regulations or early learning and developmental 
                guidelines;
                    ``(F) improving the ability of parents to access 
                information about high-quality infant and toddler care; 
                and
                    ``(G) carrying out other activities determined by 
                the State to improve the quality of infant and toddler 
                care provided in the State, and for which there is 
                evidence that the activities will lead to improved 
                infant and toddler health and safety, infant and 
                toddler development, or infant and toddler well-being, 
                including providing training (including training in 
                safe sleep practices, first aid, and cardiopulmonary 
                resuscitation).
            ``(5) Promoting broad child care provider participation in 
        the quality rating system described in paragraph (3).
            ``(6) Establishing or expanding a statewide system of child 
        care resource and referral services.
            ``(7) Facilitating compliance with State requirements for 
        inspection, monitoring, training, and health and safety, and 
        with State licensing standards.
            ``(8) Evaluating and assessing the quality and 
        effectiveness of child care programs and services offered in 
        the State, including evaluating how such programs and services 
        may improve the overall school readiness of young children.
            ``(9) Supporting child care providers in the pursuit of 
        accreditation by an established national accrediting body with 
        demonstrated, valid, and reliable program standards of high 
        quality.
            ``(10) Supporting State or local efforts to develop or 
        adopt high-quality program standards relating to health, mental 
        health, nutrition, physical activity, and physical development 
        and providing resources to enable eligible child care providers 
        to meet, exceed, or sustain success in meeting or exceeding, 
        such standards.
            ``(11) Carrying out other activities determined by the 
        State to improve the quality of child care services provided in 
        the State, and for which measurement of outcomes relating to 
        improved provider preparedness, child safety, child well-being, 
        or school readiness is possible.
    ``(c) Certification.--Beginning with fiscal year 2015, at the 
beginning of each fiscal year, the State shall annually submit to the 
Secretary a certification containing an assurance that the State was in 
compliance with subsection (a) during the preceding fiscal year and a 
description of how the State used funds received under this subchapter 
to comply with subsection (a) during that preceding fiscal year.
    ``(d) Reporting Requirements.--Each State receiving funds under 
this subchapter shall prepare and submit an annual report to the 
Secretary, which shall include information about--
            ``(1) the amount of funds that are reserved under 
        subsection (a);
            ``(2) the activities carried out under this section; and
            ``(3) the measures that the State will use to evaluate the 
        State's progress in improving the quality of child care 
        programs and services in the State.
    ``(e) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall offer technical 
assistance, in accordance with section 658I(a)(3), which may include 
technical assistance through the use of grants or cooperative 
agreements, to States for the activities described in subsection (b).
    ``(f) Construction.--Nothing in this section shall be construed as 
providing the Secretary the authority to regulate, direct, or dictate 
State child care quality activities or progress in implementing those 
activities.''.

SEC. 7. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

    The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
9858 et seq.) is amended by inserting after section 658G the following:

``SEC. 658H. CRIMINAL BACKGROUND CHECKS.

    ``(a) In General.--A State that receives funds to carry out this 
subchapter shall have in effect--
            ``(1) requirements, policies, and procedures to require and 
        conduct criminal background checks for child care staff members 
        (including prospective child care staff members) of child care 
        providers described in subsection (c)(1); and
            ``(2) licensing, regulation, and registration requirements, 
        as applicable, that prohibit the employment of child care staff 
        members as described in subsection (c).
    ``(b) Requirements.--A criminal background check for a child care 
staff member under subsection (a) shall include--
            ``(1) a search of each State criminal and sex offender 
        registry or repository in the State where the child care staff 
        member resides and each State where such staff member resided 
        during the preceding 10 years;
            ``(2) a search of State-based child abuse and neglect 
        registries and databases in the State where the child care 
        staff member resides and each State where such staff member 
        resided during the preceding 10 years;
            ``(3) a search of the National Crime Information Center;
            ``(4) a Federal Bureau of Investigation fingerprint check 
        using the Integrated Automated Fingerprint Identification 
        System; and
            ``(5) a search of the National Sex Offender Registry 
        established under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and Safety 
        Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16901 et seq.).
    ``(c) Prohibitions.--
            ``(1) Child care staff members.--A child care staff member 
        shall be ineligible for employment by a child care provider 
        that is licensed, regulated, or registered by the State or for 
        which assistance is provided in accordance with this 
        subchapter, if such individual--
                    ``(A) refuses to consent to the criminal background 
                check described in subsection (b);
                    ``(B) knowingly makes a materially false statement 
                in connection with such criminal background check;
                    ``(C) is registered, or is required to be 
                registered, on a State sex offender registry or 
                repository or the National Sex Offender Registry 
                established under the Adam Walsh Child Protection and 
                Safety Act of 2006 (42 U.S.C. 16901 et seq.); or
                    ``(D) has been convicted of a felony consisting 
                of--
                            ``(i) murder, as described in section 1111 
                        of title 18, United States Code;
                            ``(ii) child abuse or neglect;
                            ``(iii) a crime against children, including 
                        child pornography;
                            ``(iv) spousal abuse;
                            ``(v) a crime involving rape or sexual 
                        assault;
                            ``(vi) kidnaping;
                            ``(vii) arson;
                            ``(viii) physical assault or battery; or
                            ``(ix) subject to subsection (e)(4), a 
                        drug-related offense committed during the 
                        preceding 5 years.
            ``(2) Child care providers.--A child care provider 
        described in paragraph (1) shall be ineligible for assistance 
        provided in accordance with this subchapter if the provider 
        employs a staff member who is ineligible for employment under 
        paragraph (1).
    ``(d) Submission of Requests for Background Checks.--
            ``(1) In general.--A child care provider covered by 
        subsection (c) shall submit a request, to the appropriate State 
        agency designated by a State, for a criminal background check 
        described in subsection (b), for each child care staff member 
        (including prospective child care staff members) of the 
        provider.
            ``(2) Staff members.--Subject to paragraph (4), in the case 
        of an individual who became a child care staff member before 
        the date of enactment of the Child Care and Development Block 
        Grant Act of 2014, the provider shall submit such a request--
                    ``(A) prior to the last day described in subsection 
                (i)(1); and
                    ``(B) not less often than once during each 5-year 
                period following the first submission date under this 
                paragraph for that staff member.
            ``(3) Prospective staff members.--Subject to paragraph (4), 
        in the case of an individual who is a prospective child care 
        staff member on or after that date of enactment, the provider 
        shall submit such a request--
                    ``(A) prior to the date the individual becomes a 
                child care staff member of the provider; and
                    ``(B) not less often than once during each 5-year 
                period following the first submission date under this 
                paragraph for that staff member.
            ``(4) Background check for another child care provider.--A 
        child care provider shall not be required to submit a request 
        under paragraph (2) or (3) for a child care staff member if--
                    ``(A) the staff member received a background check 
                described in subsection (b)--
                            ``(i) within 5 years before the latest date 
                        on which such a submission may be made; and
                            ``(ii) while employed by or seeking 
                        employment by another child care provider 
                        within the State;
                    ``(B) the State provided to the first provider a 
                qualifying background check result, consistent with 
                this subchapter, for the staff member; and
                    ``(C) the staff member is employed by a child care 
                provider within the State, or has been separated from 
                employment from a child care provider within the State 
                for a period of not more than 180 consecutive days.
    ``(e) Background Check Results and Appeals.--
            ``(1) Background check results.--The State shall carry out 
        the request of a child care provider for a criminal background 
        check as expeditiously as possible, but in not to exceed 45 
        days after the date on which such request was submitted, and 
        shall provide the results of the criminal background check to 
        such provider and to the current or prospective staff member.
            ``(2) Privacy.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The State shall provide the 
                results of the criminal background check to the 
                provider in a statement that indicates whether a child 
                care staff member (including a prospective child care 
                staff member) is eligible or ineligible for employment 
                described in subsection (c), without revealing any 
                disqualifying crime or other related information 
                regarding the individual.
                    ``(B) Ineligible staff member.--If the child care 
                staff member is ineligible for such employment due to 
                the background check, the State will, when providing 
                the results of the background check, include 
                information related to each disqualifying crime, in a 
                report to the staff member or prospective staff member.
                    ``(C) Public release of results.--No State shall 
                publicly release or share the results of individual 
                background checks, however, such results of background 
                checks may be included in the development or 
                dissemination of local or statewide data related to 
                background checks, if such results are not individually 
                identifiable.
            ``(3) Appeals.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The State shall provide for a 
                process by which a child care staff member (including a 
                prospective child care staff member) may appeal the 
                results of a criminal background check conducted under 
                this section to challenge the accuracy or completeness 
                of the information contained in such member's criminal 
                background report.
                    ``(B) Appeals process.--The State shall ensure 
                that--
                            ``(i) each child care staff member shall be 
                        given notice of the opportunity to appeal;
                            ``(ii) a child care staff member will 
                        receive instructions about how to complete the 
                        appeals process if the child care staff member 
                        wishes to challenge the accuracy or 
                        completeness of the information contained in 
                        such member's criminal background report; and
                            ``(iii) the appeals process is completed in 
                        a timely manner for each child care staff 
                        member.
            ``(4) Review.--The State may allow for a review process 
        through which the State may determine that a child care staff 
        member (including a prospective child care staff member) 
        disqualified for a crime specified in subsection (c)(1)(D)(ix) 
        is eligible for employment described in subsection (c)(1), 
        notwithstanding subsection (c). The review process shall be 
        consistent with title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 
        U.S.C. 2000e et seq.).
            ``(5) No private right of action.--Nothing in this section 
        shall be construed to create a private right of action if the 
        provider is in compliance with State regulations and 
        requirements.
    ``(f) Fees for Background Checks.--Fees that a State may charge for 
the costs of processing applications and administering a criminal 
background check as required by this section shall not exceed the 
actual costs to the State for the processing and administration.
    ``(g) Construction.--
            ``(1) Disqualification for other crimes.--Nothing in this 
        section shall be construed to prevent a State from 
        disqualifying individuals as child care staff members based on 
        their conviction for crimes not specifically listed in this 
        section that bear upon the fitness of an individual to provide 
        care for and have responsibility for the safety and well-being 
        of children.
            ``(2) Rights and remedies.--Nothing in this section shall 
        be construed to alter or otherwise affect the rights and 
        remedies provided for child care staff members residing in a 
        State that disqualifies individuals as child care staff members 
        for crimes not specifically provided for under this section.
    ``(h) Definitions.--In this section--
            ``(1) the term `child care provider' means a center-based 
        child care provider, a family child care provider, or another 
        provider of child care services for compensation and on a 
        regular basis that--
                    ``(A) is not an individual who is related to all 
                children for whom child care services are provided; and
                    ``(B) is licensed, regulated, or registered under 
                State law or receives assistance provided in accordance 
                with this subchapter; and
            ``(2) the term `child care staff member' means an 
        individual (other than an individual who is related to all 
        children for whom child care services are provided)--
                    ``(A) who is employed by a child care provider for 
                compensation;
                    ``(B) whose activities involve the care or 
                supervision of children for a child care provider or 
                unsupervised access to children who are cared for or 
                supervised by a child care provider; or
                    ``(C) who is a family child care provider.
    ``(i) Effective Date.--
            ``(1) In general.--A State that receives funds under this 
        subchapter shall meet the requirements of this section for the 
        provision of criminal background checks for child care staff 
        members described in subsection (d)(1) not later than the last 
        day of the second full fiscal year after the date of enactment 
        of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014.
            ``(2) Extension.--The Secretary may grant a State an 
        extension of time, of not more than 1 fiscal year, to meet the 
        requirements of this section if the State demonstrates a good 
        faith effort to comply with the requirements of this section.
            ``(3) Penalty for noncompliance.--Except as provided in 
        paragraphs (1) and (2), for any fiscal year that a State fails 
        to comply substantially with the requirements of this section, 
        the Secretary shall withhold 5 percent of the funds that would 
        otherwise be allocated to that State in accordance with this 
        subchapter for the following fiscal year.''.

SEC. 8. REPORTS AND INFORMATION.

    (a) Administration.--Section 658I of the Child Care and Development 
Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858g) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) in paragraph (2)--
                            (i) by inserting a comma after ``publish''; 
                        and
                            (ii) by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the 
                following:
            ``(3) provide technical assistance to States (which may 
        include providing assistance on a reimbursable basis), 
        consistent with (as appropriate) scientifically valid research, 
        to carry out this subchapter; and''; and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following:
            ``(4) disseminate, for voluntary informational purposes, 
        information on practices that scientifically valid research 
        indicates are most successful in improving the quality of 
        programs that receive assistance under this subchapter.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(c) Prohibition.--Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed 
as providing the Secretary the authority to permit States to alter the 
eligibility requirements for eligible children, including work 
requirements that apply to the parents of eligible children.''.
    (b) Requests for Relief.--Section 658I of the Child Care and 
Development Block Grant Act of 1990, as amended by subsection (a), is 
further amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(d) Request for Relief.--
            ``(1) In general.--The State may submit to the Secretary a 
        request for relief from any provision of Federal law (including 
        a regulation, policy, or procedure) affecting the delivery of 
        child care services with Federal funds, other than this 
        subchapter, that conflicts with a requirement of this 
        subchapter.
            ``(2) Contents.--Such request shall--
                    ``(A) detail the provision of Federal law that 
                conflicts with that requirement;
                    ``(B) describe how modifying compliance with that 
                provision of Federal law to meet the requirements of 
                this subchapter will, by itself, improve delivery of 
                child care services for children in the State; and
                    ``(C) certify that the health, safety, and well-
                being of children served through assistance received 
                under this subchapter will not be compromised as a 
                result.
            ``(3) Consultation.--The Secretary shall consult with the 
        State submitting the request and the head of each Federal 
        agency (other than the Secretary) with responsibility for 
        administering the Federal law detailed in the State's request. 
        The consulting parties shall jointly identify--
                    ``(A) any provision of Federal law (including a 
                regulation, policy, or procedure) for which a waiver is 
                necessary to enable the State to provide services in 
                accordance with the request; and
                    ``(B) any corresponding waiver.
            ``(4) Waivers.--Notwithstanding any other provision of law, 
        and after the joint identification described in paragraph (3), 
        the head of the Federal agency involved shall have the 
        authority to waive any statutory provision administered by that 
        agency, or any regulation, policy, or procedure issued by that 
        agency, that has been so identified, unless the head of the 
        Federal agency determines that such a waiver is inconsistent 
        with the objectives of this subchapter or the Federal law from 
        which relief is sought.
            ``(5) Approval.--Within 90 days after the receipt of a 
        State's request under this subsection, the Secretary shall 
        inform the State of the Secretary's approval or disapproval of 
        the request. If the plan is disapproved, the Secretary shall 
        inform the State, in writing, of the reasons for the 
        disapproval and give the State the opportunity to amend the 
        request.
            ``(6) Duration.--The Secretary may approve a request under 
        this subsection for a period of not more than 3 years, and may 
        renew the approval for additional periods of not more than 3 
        years.
            ``(7) Termination.--The Secretary shall terminate approval 
        of a request for relief authorized under this subsection if the 
        Secretary determines, after notice and opportunity for a 
        hearing, that the performance of a State granted relief under 
        this subsection has been inadequate, or if such relief is no 
        longer necessary to achieve its original purposes.''.
    (c) Reports.--Section 658K(a) of the Child Care and Development 
Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858i(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (1)(B)--
                    (A) in clause (ix), by striking ``and'' at the end;
                    (B) in clause (x), by inserting ``and'' at the end; 
                and
                    (C) by inserting after clause (x), the following:
                            ``(xi) whether the children receiving 
                        assistance under this subchapter are homeless 
                        children;''; and
            (2) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in the matter preceding subparagraph (A), by 
                striking ``1997'' and inserting ``2014''; and
                    (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``section 
                658P(5)'' and inserting ``section 658P(6)''.
    (d) Report by Secretary.--Section 658L of the Child Care and 
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858j) is amended--
            (1) by striking the section heading and inserting the 
        following:

``SEC. 658L. REPORTS, HOTLINE, AND WEB SITE.'';

            (2) by striking ``Not later'' and inserting the following:
    ``(a) Report by Secretary.--Not later'';
            (3) by striking ``1998'' and inserting ``2016''; and
            (4) by striking ``to the Committee'' and all that follows 
        through ``of the Senate'' and inserting ``to the Committee on 
        Education and the Workforce of the House of Representatives and 
        the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the 
        Senate''; and
            (5) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(b) National Toll-Free Hotline and Web Site.--
            ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall operate a national 
        toll-free hotline and Web site, to--
                    ``(A) develop and disseminate publicly available 
                child care consumer education information for parents 
                and help parents access safe, affordable, and quality 
                child care in their community; and
                    ``(B) to allow persons to report (anonymously if 
                desired) suspected child abuse or neglect, or 
                violations of health and safety requirements, by an 
                eligible child care provider that receives assistance 
                under this subchapter.
            ``(2) Requirements.--The Secretary shall ensure that the 
        hotline and Web site meet the following requirements:
                    ``(A) Referral to local child care providers.--The 
                Web site shall be hosted by `childcare.gov'. The Web 
                site shall enable a child care consumer to enter a zip 
                code and obtain a referral to local child care 
                providers described in subparagraph (B) within a 
                specified search radius.
                    ``(B) Information.--The Web site shall provide to 
                consumers, directly or through linkages to State 
                databases, at a minimum--
                            ``(i) a localized list of all State 
                        licensed child care providers;
                            ``(ii) any provider-specific information 
                        from a Quality Rating and Improvement System or 
                        information about other quality indicators, to 
                        the extent the information is publicly 
                        available and to the extent practicable;
                            ``(iii) any other provider-specific 
                        information about compliance with licensing, 
                        and health and safety, requirements to the 
                        extent the information is publicly available 
                        and to the extent practicable;
                            ``(iv) referrals to local resource and 
                        referral organizations from which consumers can 
                        find more information about child care 
                        providers, and a recommendation that consumers 
                        consult with the organizations when selecting a 
                        child care provider; and
                            ``(v) State information about child care 
                        subsidy programs and other financial supports 
                        available to families.
                    ``(C) Nationwide capacity.--The Web site and 
                hotline shall have the capacity to help families in 
                every State and community in the Nation.
                    ``(D) Information at all hours.--The Web site shall 
                provide, to parents and families, access to information 
                about child care 24 hours a day.
                    ``(E) Services in different languages.--The Web 
                site and hotline shall ensure the widest possible 
                access to services for families who speak languages 
                other than English.
                    ``(F) High-quality consumer education and 
                referral.--The Web site and hotline shall ensure that 
                families have access to child care consumer education 
                and referral services that are consistent and of high 
                quality.
            ``(3) Prohibition.--Nothing in this subsection shall be 
        construed to allow the Secretary to compel States to provide 
        additional data and information that is currently (as of the 
        date of enactment of the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
        Act of 2014) not publicly available, or is not required by this 
        subchapter.''.

SEC. 9. RESERVATION FOR TOLL-FREE HOTLINE AND WEB SITE; PAYMENTS TO 
              BENEFIT INDIAN CHILDREN.

    Section 658O of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 
1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858m) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by adding at the end the following:
            ``(3) National toll-free hotline and web site.--The 
        Secretary shall reserve not less than $1,000,000 of the amount 
        appropriated under this subchapter for each fiscal year for the 
        operation of a national toll-free hotline and Web site, under 
        section 658L(b).''; and
            (2) in subsection (c)(2), by adding at the end the 
        following:
                    ``(D) Licensing and standards.--In lieu of any 
                licensing and regulatory requirements applicable under 
                State or local law, the Secretary, in consultation with 
                Indian tribes and tribal organizations, shall develop 
                minimum child care standards that shall be applicable 
                to Indian tribes and tribal organizations receiving 
                assistance under this subchapter. Such standards shall 
                appropriately reflect Indian tribe and tribal 
                organization needs and available resources, and shall 
                include standards requiring a publicly available 
                application, health and safety standards, and standards 
                requiring a reservation of funds for activities to 
                improve the quality of child care provided to Indian 
                children.''.

SEC. 10. DEFINITIONS.

    Section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 
1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n) is amended--
            (1) by striking paragraph (4) and inserting the following:
            ``(3) Child with a disability.--The term `child with a 
        disability' means--
                    ``(A) a child with a disability, as defined in 
                section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities 
                Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401);
                    ``(B) a child who is eligible for early 
                intervention services under part C of the Individuals 
                with Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1431 et 
                seq.);
                    ``(C) a child who is less than 13 years of age and 
                who is eligible for services under section 504 of the 
                Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29 U.S.C. 794); and
                    ``(D) a child with a disability, as defined by the 
                State involved.
            ``(4) Eligible child.--The term `eligible child' means an 
        individual--
                    ``(A) who is less than 13 years of age;
                    ``(B) whose family income does not exceed 85 
                percent of the State median income for a family of the 
                same size; and
                    ``(C) who--
                            ``(i) resides with a parent or parents who 
                        are working or attending a job training or 
                        educational program; or
                            ``(ii) is receiving, or needs to receive, 
                        protective services and resides with a parent 
                        or parents not described in clause (i).'';
            (2) by redesignating paragraphs (5) through (9) as 
        paragraphs (6) through (10), respectively;
            (3) by inserting after paragraph (4), the following:
            ``(5) English learner.--The term `English learner' means an 
        individual who is limited English proficient, as defined in 
        section 9101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
        1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801) or section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 
        U.S.C. 9832).'';
            (4) in paragraph (6)(A), as redesignated by paragraph (2)--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``section 
                658E(c)(2)(E)'' and inserting ``section 
                658E(c)(2)(F)''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii), by striking ``section 
                658E(c)(2)(F)'' and inserting ``section 
                658E(c)(2)(I)'';
            (5) in paragraph (9), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by 
        striking ``designated'' and all that follows and inserting 
        ``designated or established under section 658D(a).'';
            (6) in paragraph (10), as redesignated by paragraph (2), by 
        inserting ``, foster parent,'' after ``guardian'';
            (7) by redesignating paragraphs (11) through (14) as 
        paragraphs (12) through (15), respectively; and
            (8) by inserting after paragraph (10), as redesignated by 
        paragraph (2), the following:
            ``(11) Scientifically valid research.--The term 
        `scientifically valid research' includes applied research, 
        basic research, and field-initiated research, for which the 
        rationale, design, and interpretation are soundly developed in 
        accordance with principles of scientific research.''.

SEC. 11. STUDIES ON WAITING LISTS.

    (a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct studies to determine, for each State, the number of families 
that--
            (1) are eligible to receive assistance under the Child Care 
        and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et 
        seq.);
            (2) have applied for the assistance; and
            (3) have been placed on a waiting list for the assistance.
    (b) Report.--The Comptroller General shall prepare a report 
containing the results of each study and shall submit the report to the 
appropriate committees of Congress--
            (1) not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
        this Act; and
            (2) every 2 years thereafter.
    (c) Definition.--In this section, the term ``State'' has the 
meaning given the term in section 658P of the Child Care and 
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n).

SEC. 12. CONFORMING AMENDMENT.

    Section 319C-1(b)(2)(A)(vii) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 247d-3a(b)(2)(A)(vii)) is amended by inserting ``or 
established'' after ``designated''.
                                                       Calendar No. 309

113th CONGRESS

  2d Session

                                S. 1086

                          [Report No. 113-138]

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL

 To reauthorize and improve the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
                  Act of 1990, and for other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

                           February 25, 2014

                       Reported with an amendment
```