I 
119TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 5658 
To establish universal child care and early learning programs. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
SEPTEMBER 30, 2025 
Ms. SHERRILL (for herself, Ms. JACOBS, Mr. JACKSON of Illinois, Ms. CHU, 
Mr. HORSFORD, Mr. BEYER, Ms. BONAMICI, Ms. SA´NCHEZ, Mr. THOMP-
SON of Mississippi, Ms. SCANLON, Mr. VARGAS, Ms. BALINT, Mr. LYNCH, 
Ms. MENG, Ms. TLAIB, Ms. JAYAPAL, Mr. MORELLE, Ms. ESCOBAR, Mr. 
EVANS of Pennsylvania, Ms. BARRAGA´N, Mr. TONKO, Ms. LEE of Penn-
sylvania, Mrs. RAMIREZ, Mr. DELUZIO, Ms. CLARKE of New York, Mr. 
GARCIA of California, Mr. SMITH of Washington, Mr. DAVIS of Illinois, 
Mr. GARAMENDI, Mrs. DINGELL, Mr. NADLER, Mr. DESAULNIER, Ms. 
TOKUDA, Mr. MCGARVEY, Mr. LIEU, Ms. DEGETTE, Mr. LEVIN, Ms. 
DEAN of Pennsylvania, Mr. NORCROSS, Mrs. TRAHAN, Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ, 
Ms. STANSBURY, and Ms. BROWN) introduced the following bill; which 
was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce 
A BILL 
To establish universal child care and early learning programs. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Child Care for Every 
Community Act’’. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
TITLE I—CHILD CARE AND 
EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS 
SEC. 101. STATEMENT OF PURPOSES. 
The purposes of this title are— 
(1) to provide all young children with a fair and 
full opportunity to reach their full potential, by es-
tablishing and expanding programs, to create uni-
versal, comprehensive child care and early learning 
programs that are available to all young children; 
(2) to ensure that families can access afford-
able, high-quality child care and early learning pro-
grams regardless of circumstance; 
(3) to promote the school readiness of all young 
children by enhancing their cognitive, social, emo-
tional, and physical development— 
(A) in a learning environment that sup-
ports children’s growth in language, literacy, 
mathematics, science, cognitive abilities, social 
and emotional functioning, creative arts, phys-
ical skills, and approaches to learning; and 
(B) through the provision to children and 
their families of health, educational, nutritional, 
social, and other services that are determined, 
based on family needs assessments, to be nec-
essary; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(4) to recognize and build upon the experience 
and success gained through the Head Start pro-
gram, the military child care program, and similar 
efforts; 
(5) to provide that decisions on the nature of 
such child care and early learning programs be made 
at the community level with the full involvement of 
parents, family members, and other individuals and 
organizations in the community; and 
(6) to establish the legislative framework for 
child care and early learning services. 
SEC. 102. DEFINITIONS. 
For purposes of this title: 
(1) CHILD CARE AND EARLY LEARNING PRO-
GRAM.—The term ‘‘child care and early learning 
program’’ means any program that provides child 
care and early learning services in child care and 
early learning centers (including schools) or in fam-
ily child care homes. 
(2) CHILD
WITH
A
DISABILITY.—The term 
‘‘child with a disability’’ means— 
(A) a child with a disability, as defined in 
section 602(3) of the Individuals with Disabil-
ities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1401(3)); and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(B) an infant or toddler with a disability, 
as defined in section 632(5) of such Act (20 
U.S.C. 1432(5)). 
(3) 
COMMUNITY.—The 
term 
‘‘community’’ 
means a city, county, or multicity or multicounty 
unit within a State, an Indian reservation (including 
Indians in any nearby off-reservation area des-
ignated by an appropriate Tribal government in con-
sultation with the Secretary), or a neighborhood or 
other area (irrespective of boundaries or political 
subdivisions) that provides a suitable organizational 
base and possesses the commonality of interest need-
ed to operate a child care and early learning pro-
gram. 
(4) COVERED
CHILD.—The term ‘‘covered 
child’’ means a child who— 
(A) is not yet required to attend school, 
under the laws of compulsory school attendance 
of the State in which the child resides; and 
(B) meets the requirements of regulations 
issued under section 124. 
(5) DUAL
LANGUAGE
LEARNER.—The term 
‘‘dual language learner’’ means a child who is ac-
quiring two or more languages at the same time, or 
a child who is learning a second language while con-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
tinuing to develop the child’s first language, includ-
ing a child who may also be identified by a State or 
locality as ‘‘bilingual’’, ‘‘an English language learn-
er’’, ‘‘limited English proficient’’, ‘‘an English learn-
er’’, or a child who speaks a ‘‘language other than 
English’’. 
(6) FAMILY
LITERACY
SERVICES.—The term 
‘‘family literacy services’’ means services that— 
(A) are family literacy services, as defined 
in section 637 of the Head Start Act (42 
U.S.C. 9832); and 
(B) meet the requirements of section 641A 
of such Act (42 U.S.C. 9836a). 
(7) FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE.—The term ‘‘finan-
cial assistance’’ includes assistance provided by 
grant, agreement, or contract, for which payments 
may be made in installments and in advance or by 
way of reimbursement with necessary adjustments 
on account of overpayments or underpayments. 
(8) FULL-WORKING-DAY.—The term ‘‘full-work-
ing-day’’ means not less than 10 hours per day. 
Nothing in this paragraph shall be construed to re-
quire an entity to provide services to a child who has 
not reached the age of compulsory school attendance 
for more than the number of hours per day per-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
mitted by State law (including regulation) for the 
provision of services to such a child. 
(9) HEALTH.—The term ‘‘health’’, when used 
to refer to services or care provided to children en-
rolled in a child care and early learning program, 
their parents, or their siblings, shall be interpreted 
to refer to both physical and mental health. 
(10) HOMELESS CHILD.—The term ‘‘homeless 
child’’ means an individual described in section 
725(2) of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance 
Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a(2)). 
(11) INDIAN.—The term ‘‘Indian’’ means an in-
dividual who is— 
(A) a member of an Indian Tribe or band, 
as membership is defined by the Tribe or band, 
including— 
(i) any Tribe or band terminated since 
1940; and 
(ii) any Tribe or band recognized by 
the State in which the Tribe or band re-
sides; 
(B) a descendant of an individual de-
scribed in subparagraph (A); 
(C) considered by the Secretary of the In-
terior to be an Indian for any purpose; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(D) an Eskimo, Aleut, or other Alaska Na-
tive; or 
(E) a member of an organized Indian 
group that received a grant under the Indian 
Education Act of 1988 as in effect on October 
19, 1994. 
(12) INDIAN TRIBE.—The term ‘‘Indian Tribe’’ 
means the governing body of any individually identi-
fied and federally recognized Indian or Alaska Na-
tive Tribe, band, nation, pueblo, village, or commu-
nity (including an affiliated Tribal group or compo-
nent reservation) included on the list published pur-
suant to section 104(a) of the Federally Recognized 
Indian Tribe List Act of 1994 (25 U.S.C. 5131(a)). 
(13) INSTITUTION OF HIGHER EDUCATION.— 
The term ‘‘institution of higher education’’ has the 
meaning given the term in section 101(a) of the 
Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1001(a)). 
(14) LOCAL EDUCATIONAL AGENCY.—The term 
‘‘local educational agency’’ has the meaning given 
such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and 
Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(15) LOCALITY.—The term ‘‘locality’’ means 
any city, municipality, county, or other political sub-
division of a State having general governmental pow-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
ers, or any combination of such political subdivi-
sions. 
(16) LOW-INCOME.—The term ‘‘low-income’’, 
used with respect to a child or other individual, 
means an individual in a family with a family in-
come that is not more than 200 percent of the pov-
erty line. 
(17) MIGRANT OR SEASONAL CHILD CARE AND 
EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM.—The term ‘‘migrant or 
seasonal child care and early learning program’’ 
means— 
(A) with respect to services for migrant 
farmworkers, a child care and early learning 
program that serves families who are engaged 
in agricultural labor and who have changed 
their residence from one geographic location to 
another in the preceding 2-year period; and 
(B) with respect to services for seasonal 
farmworkers, a child care and early learning 
program that serves families who are engaged 
primarily in seasonal agricultural labor and who 
have not changed their residence to another ge-
ographic location in the preceding 2-year pe-
riod. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(18) MILITARY
CHILD
CARE
PROGRAM.—The 
term ‘‘military child care program’’ means the pro-
gram carried out under subchapter II of chapter 88 
of title 10, United States Code. 
(19) NATIVE
HAWAIIAN.—The term ‘‘Native 
Hawaiian’’ has the meaning given the term in sec-
tion 6207 of the Elementary and Secondary Edu-
cation Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517). 
(20) POVERTY LINE.—The term ‘‘poverty line’’ 
means the official poverty line (as defined by the Of-
fice of Management and Budget) based on the most 
recent data available from the Bureau of the Cen-
sus— 
(A) adjusted to reflect the percentage 
change in the Consumer Price Index For All 
Urban Consumers, issued by the Bureau of 
Labor Statistics, during the annual or other in-
terval immediately preceding the date on which 
such adjustment is made; and 
(B) adjusted for family size. 
(21) 
PROFESSIONAL
DEVELOPMENT.—The 
term ‘‘professional development’’ means the career- 
pathway aligned mechanisms that contribute to en-
suring that a member of the early care and edu-
cation workforce, in any setting, has or is working 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
towards obtaining the degrees and other credentials 
needed to demonstrate the necessary knowledge and 
competencies for quality provision of child care and 
early learning services. 
(22) SCIENTIFICALLY VALID RESEARCH.—The 
term ‘‘scientifically valid research’’ includes applied 
research, basic research, and field-initiated research, 
in which the rationale, design, and interpretation are 
soundly developed in accordance with principles of 
scientific research. 
(23) 
SECRETARY.—The 
term 
‘‘Secretary’’ 
means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. 
(24) STAKEHOLDER.—The term ‘‘stakeholder’’ 
means a community-based employer of child care 
providers, a labor organization representing child 
care providers, a joint labor-management partner-
ship advocating for child care standards, an entity 
operating a trust fund that provides training and 
education for child care providers, or a nonprofit or-
ganization that represents parents of children eligi-
ble for services in a program carried out under this 
title. 
(25) STATE.—The term ‘‘State’’ means— 
(A) a State, as defined in section 637 of 
the Head Start Act; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(B) the Republic of Palau— 
(i) for each of fiscal years 2026 
through 2030; and 
(ii) (if legislation approving a new 
agreement regarding United States assist-
ance for the Republic of Palau has not 
been enacted by September 30, 2028), for 
each subsequent fiscal year for which such 
legislation has not been enacted. 
(26) TRIBAL LAND.—The term ‘‘Tribal land’’ 
means a reservation, the land of an Indian Tribe, or 
land designated by Hawaii as under the control of 
Native Hawaiians for purposes of this title. 
(27) TRIBAL ORGANIZATION.—The term ‘‘Trib-
al organization’’ means— 
(A) the recognized governing body of any 
Indian Tribe, and any legally established orga-
nization of Indians which is controlled, sanc-
tioned, or chartered by such governing body or 
which is democratically elected by the adult 
members of the Indian community to be served 
by such organization and which includes the 
maximum participation of Indians in all phases 
of its activities, except that in any case where 
a contract is let or grant made to an organiza-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
tion to perform services benefitting more than 
one Indian Tribe, the approval of each such In-
dian Tribe shall be a prerequisite to the letting 
or making of such contract or grant; and 
(B) includes a Native Hawaiian organiza-
tion, as defined in section 6207 of the Elemen-
tary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 
U.S.C. 7517) and a private nonprofit organiza-
tion established for the purpose of serving 
youth who are Indians or Native Hawaiians. 
SEC. 103. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS; APPRO-
PRIATIONS. 
(a) APPROPRIATIONS.—There are authorized to be 
appropriated and there are appropriated to carry out this 
title (other than the activities described in subsection (b)), 
including meeting the entitlement requirements of section 
111(b), such sums as may be necessary. 
(b) AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.—There is 
authorized to be appropriated to carry out activities under 
sections 135, 136, 137, 138, 151, 152, and such adminis-
trative activities as the Secretary determines to be nec-
essary 
and 
appropriate 
to 
carry 
out 
this 
title, 
$500,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2036. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
Subtitle A—Prime Sponsors and 
Providers 
SEC. 111. FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE FOR CHILD CARE AND 
EARLY LEARNING PROGRAMS. 
(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall provide finan-
cial assistance for carrying out child care and early learn-
ing programs under this title to prime sponsors, to provide 
family-centered services to children to promote their devel-
opment and learning, pursuant to plans and applications 
approved in accordance with the provisions of this title. 
(b) ENTITLEMENT.—Each covered child shall be enti-
tled to participate in a child care and early learning pro-
gram that meets the requirements of this title. The entitle-
ment shall not be a capped entitlement. 
SEC. 112. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS; PAYMENTS. 
(a) ALLOCATION
TO ACTIVITIES.—The Secretary 
shall allocate the amounts appropriated for carrying out 
this title for any fiscal year after fiscal year 2025, in the 
following manner: 
(1) CHILD CARE AND EARLY LEARNING PRO-
GRAMS.—The amount made available under section 
103(a) shall be used for the purpose of providing fi-
nancial assistance to carry out child care and early 
learning programs under this title for covered chil-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
dren, other than activities described in paragraph 
(2). 
(2) ADMINISTRATIVE AND ENHANCEMENT AC-
TIVITIES.—Of the amounts appropriated under sec-
tion 103(b)— 
(A) such portion, but not less than 50 per-
cent, shall be used for the purpose of carrying 
out activities under sections 135 and 136 and 
such administrative activities as the Secretary 
determines to be necessary and appropriate to 
carry out this title; 
(B) such portion, but not less than 20 per-
cent, shall be used for the purpose of carrying 
out activities under section 151; and 
(C) the remainder of such amounts shall 
be used for the purpose of carrying out activi-
ties under sections 137, 138, and 152. 
(3) FLEXIBILITY
FOR
EMERGENCY
SUPPLE-
MENTAL
FUNDING.—Notwithstanding 
paragraph 
(2), the Secretary may, after providing appropriate 
notice and written justification to Congress, redirect 
any amounts appropriated under section 103(b) as 
the Secretary determines to be necessary and appro-
priate to carry out section 151 for the purpose of 
carrying out activities under section 151. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(b) PUBLICATION.—As soon as practicable after 
funds are appropriated under section 103(b) for any fiscal 
year, the Secretary shall publish in the Federal Register 
the amounts made available for that fiscal year to carry 
out each of the activities described in subsection (a)(2). 
(c) PAYMENTS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.— 
(A) AUTHORITY FOR PAYMENTS.—In ac-
cordance with this subsection, the Secretary 
shall pay, from the allocation under subsection 
(a)(1), the Federal share of the costs of pro-
viding child care and early learning programs, 
in accordance with plans under sections 113 
and 114 that have been approved as provided in 
this title. 
(B) MANNER
AND
TIMING
FOR
PAY-
MENTS.—The Secretary may make such finan-
cial assistance as may be necessary to carry out 
this title. The Secretary may also withhold 
funds otherwise payable under this title in order 
to recover any amounts expended in the current 
or immediately prior fiscal year in violation of 
any provision of this title or any term or condi-
tion of financial assistance under this title. 
(2) FEDERAL SHARE.— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(A) IN GENERAL.—Except as provided in 
subparagraphs (B) and (C) and section 151, 
the Federal share of the costs of providing child 
care and early learning programs for covered 
children shall be no less than 90 percent. 
(B) CHILDREN
OF
MIGRANT
AND
SEA-
SONAL
FARMWORKERS.—The Secretary shall 
pay for 100 percent of the costs of providing 
child care and early learning programs for cov-
ered children of migrant and seasonal farm-
workers under this title. 
(C) NATIVE
AMERICAN
CHILDREN.—The 
Secretary shall pay each prime sponsor des-
ignated under section 113 for 100 percent of 
the costs of providing child care and early 
learning programs for covered children in In-
dian Tribes and Native Hawaiian covered chil-
dren under this title. 
(D) 
ADMINISTRATIVE
AMOUNT.—When 
making a payment described in paragraph (1) 
to any prime sponsor for the Federal share of 
the costs of providing a child care and early 
learning program, the Secretary shall also make 
a payment to the prime sponsor of not more 
than 100 percent of the costs for staff and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
other administrative expenses of the prime 
sponsor, including such costs and expenses re-
lated to quality improvement (such as con-
ducting monitoring and training) and operating 
the Child Care and Early Learning Council, but 
not to exceed an amount which is reasonable 
when compared with such costs and expenses 
for other prime sponsors. 
(3) RATE ANALYSIS.— 
(A) PROCESS.—The Secretary shall, on the 
basis of recommendations by a committee of ex-
perts and stakeholders outside the Department 
of Health and Human Services, establish and 
implement a process for determining the costs 
described in paragraph (1)(A) and ensuring 
that the requirement of subparagraph (B) is 
met. 
(B) 
SUFFICIENCY
REQUIREMENT.—The 
Secretary shall ensure that the Federal share 
determined under paragraph (2) is sufficient to 
ensure that a prime sponsor can meet all re-
quirements under this title, including the na-
tional program standards under section 121, 
compensation provisions under section 136(b), 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
and provisions relating to comprehensive serv-
ices and access to services. 
(4) NON-FEDERAL SHARE.— 
(A) SOURCES.—The non-Federal share of 
the costs described in paragraph (1) may be 
provided through public or private funds (in-
cluding labor union or employer contributions) 
and may be in cash or in kind, fairly evaluated, 
including facilities, goods, or services. 
(B) FEES FROM FAMILIES.—Fees collected 
for services provided pursuant to section 114(j) 
may be used toward the non-Federal share. 
Such fees collected from a family may not ex-
ceed 7 percent of the family income, regardless 
of the number of children served from that fam-
ily. 
(C) EXCESS CONTRIBUTIONS.—If, with re-
spect to any fiscal year, a prime sponsor pro-
vides a non-Federal share, for any program 
that exceeds its requirements for such a share, 
such excess may be applied toward meeting the 
requirements for such a share for the subse-
quent fiscal year under this title. 
(d) MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.—No State or locality 
shall reduce its expenditures for child care and early learn-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
ing programs (including home-based child care and early 
learning programs) because of financial assistance pro-
vided under this title. 
SEC. 113. DESIGNATION OF PRIME SPONSORS. 
(a) AUTHORITY TO DESIGNATE.— 
(1) QUALIFIED ENTITIES.—In accordance with 
the provisions of this section, a State, locality, In-
dian Tribe, Tribal organization, or public or private 
nonprofit agency or organization, meeting the re-
quirements of this title may be designated by the 
Secretary as a prime sponsor for the purpose of en-
tering into arrangements to carry out child care and 
early learning programs under this title. 
(2) PRIME
SPONSORSHIP
PLANS.—An entity 
may be designated by the Secretary as a prime spon-
sor for a period of fiscal years only pursuant to an 
application in the form of a prime sponsorship plan 
which was submitted by such entity and approved by 
the Secretary in accordance with the provisions of 
this title. At a minimum, the plan shall— 
(A) describe the service area to be served 
and how the program will be delivered; 
(B) provide a comprehensive child care and 
early learning plan, as described in section 
114(b); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(C) demonstrate that the entity has en-
gaged with the community involved, including 
parents who might participate in such a child 
care and early learning program, family mem-
bers of such parents, and other stakeholders, 
individuals, and organizations, in the commu-
nity, to determine the need and interest for 
such a child care and early learning program in 
a service area, in a manner that takes into ac-
count a wide array of perspectives, especially 
those from marginalized populations; and 
(D) demonstrate that the entity has the 
authority under its charter or applicable law to 
receive and administer funds under this title, 
funds and contributions from private or public 
sources that may be used in support of a child 
care and early learning program, and funds 
under a Federal or State assistance program 
that may be so used. 
(3) APPROVAL.—No prime sponsorship plan, or 
modification of the plan, submitted by an entity 
under this section shall be approved by the Secretary 
unless the Secretary determines, in accordance with 
regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe, 
that— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1) LOCALITY
OVER
POPULATION
THRESH-
OLD.—The Secretary shall approve a prime sponsor-
ship plan submitted by a locality if— 
(A) the locality meets a population thresh-
old determined by the Secretary, except that 
the Secretary may waive the population thresh-
old if it creates a barrier to providing child care 
and early learning services in a service area of 
a specified type, such as a rural region; 
(B) the plan meets the requirements of 
subsection (a) and includes adequate provisions 
for carrying out child care and early learning 
programs in the area of such locality; and 
(C) the locality is a— 
(i) city; 
(ii) county; or 
(iii) other unit of general local govern-
ment, including a local educational agency, 
as defined in section 8101 of the Elemen-
tary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 
(20 U.S.C. 7801). 
(2) LOCALITIES WITH COMMON GEOGRAPHICAL 
AREA.—In the event that the area under the juris-
diction of a unit of general local government de-
scribed in clause (i), (ii), (iii), or (iv) of paragraph 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1)(C) includes any common geographical area with 
the geographical area covered by another such unit 
of general local government, the Secretary shall des-
ignate to serve such common area the unit of gen-
eral local government that— 
(A) the Secretary determines has the capa-
bility of more effectively carrying out the pur-
poses of this title with respect to such area; and 
(B) has submitted a plan which meets the 
requirements of subsection (a) and includes 
adequate provisions for carrying out child care 
and early learning programs in such area. 
(3) LOCALITIES.— 
(A) SUBMISSION
BY
COMBINATION.—In 
the event that the Secretary determines that a 
locality does not meet the requirements for des-
ignation as a prime sponsor under this section, 
the Secretary shall take steps to encourage the 
submission of a prime sponsorship plan, cov-
ering the area of such locality, by a combination 
of localities which are adjoining and possess a 
sufficient commonality of interest. 
(B) APPROVAL.—The Secretary shall ap-
prove a prime sponsorship plan submitted by 
such a combination of localities, if the Secretary 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
determines that the plan so submitted meets 
the requirements of subsection (a) and includes 
adequate provisions for carrying out child care 
and early learning programs in the area covered 
by the combination of such localities. 
(4) INDIAN
TRIBES
AND
TRIBAL
ORGANIZA-
TIONS.—The Secretary shall approve a prime spon-
sorship plan submitted by an Indian Tribe or Tribal 
organization if the Secretary determines that the 
plan so submitted meets the requirements of sub-
section (a) and includes adequate provisions for car-
rying out child care and early learning programs in 
the area to be served. 
(5) STATES.—The Secretary shall approve a 
prime sponsorship plan submitted by a State if the 
Secretary determines that the plan so submitted— 
(A) meets the requirements of subsection 
(a); 
(B) includes adequate provisions for car-
rying out child care and early learning pro-
grams in the area to be served; 
(C) contains a commitment to coordinating 
the State’s early childhood programs to create 
a cohesive system, for children from birth to 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00024
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
entry into kindergarten, for providing child care 
and early learning services; 
(D) demonstrates that the State can de-
liver a child care and early learning program 
that ensures coverage of— 
(i) the entire State; or 
(ii) the portions of the State that are 
not proposed to be covered by other enti-
ties submitting applications under sub-
section (a)(2); and 
(E) demonstrates that the State can de-
liver such a program with sufficient local ad-
ministration, governance, and input. 
(6) TWO PHASES OF APPLICATION REVIEW.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish two phases of review for applications in 
the form of prime sponsorship plans. Entities 
submitting such applications for the first phase 
of review shall be given preference for designa-
tion under subsection (a). 
(B) FIRST PHASE.—States, Indian Tribes, 
Tribal organizations, entities applying to carry 
out migrant or seasonal child care and early 
learning programs, and entities and States sub-
mitting applications jointly may submit applica-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00025
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
tions described in subparagraph (A) for the 
first phase of application review. 
(C) SECOND PHASE.—Localities, public or 
private nonprofit agencies or organizations, and 
entities described in subparagraph (B) may 
submit applications described in subparagraph 
(A) for the second phase of application review. 
(D) PRIORITY.—During each phase of ap-
plication review, the Secretary shall give pri-
ority to applications describing programs that 
will serve a significant number of low-income 
children, children with disabilities, dual lan-
guage learner children, homeless children, or 
children in foster care, or will offer child care 
and early learning services during nonstandard 
hours. 
(c) DISAPPROVAL; WITHDRAWAL OF APPROVAL.—A 
prime sponsorship plan submitted under this section may 
be disapproved or a prior designation of a prime sponsor 
may be withdrawn only if the Secretary, in accordance 
with regulations which the Secretary shall prescribe, has 
provided— 
(1) written notice of intention to disapprove 
such plan or withdraw such designation, including a 
statement of the reasons; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00026
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(2) a reasonable time in which to submit correc-
tive amendments to such plan or undertake other 
necessary corrective action; and 
(3) an opportunity for a public hearing upon 
which basis an appeal to the Secretary may be taken 
as of right. 
(d) UNSERVED AREAS.—From amounts allocated 
under section 103(b) in the event that a prime sponsorship 
plan has not been submitted or approved, if a prime spon-
sor designation has been withdrawn, or if the needs of sea-
sonal and migrant farmworkers, minority groups, or low- 
income individuals are not being met, for a service area, 
the Secretary shall develop and implement a program of 
outreach to identify a prime sponsor. If necessary, the 
Secretary may enter into an agreement with an organiza-
tion, such as a national nonprofit organization, to serve 
as the prime sponsor for such an area. The Secretary shall 
meet the requirements described in subsection (g) before 
entering into the agreement. 
(e) DESIGNATION RENEWAL.— 
(1) DESIGNATION RENEWAL.—A prime sponsor 
shall obtain renewal of the designation of the prime 
sponsor not more frequently than every 3 years and 
not less frequently than every 5 years. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00027
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(2) SYSTEM
FOR
DESIGNATION
RENEWAL.— 
The Secretary shall develop a system for prime 
sponsors to renew their designation, under which the 
Secretary shall determine if a prime sponsor is deliv-
ering a high-quality and comprehensive child care 
and early learning program that meets the health, 
educational, nutritional, and social needs of the chil-
dren and families it serves, and meets program and 
financial management requirements and standards 
described in section 121(a), and governance and 
legal requirements. 
(f) PROHIBITION AGAINST ENTITIES OTHER THAN 
INDIAN TRIBES OR TRIBAL ORGANIZATIONS RECEIVING 
A GRANT FOR A CHILD CARE AND EARLY LEARNING PRO-
GRAM ON INDIAN LAND.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Notwithstanding any other 
provision of law, except as provided in paragraph 
(2), under no condition may an entity other than an 
Indian Tribe or Tribal organization receive a grant 
to carry out a child care and early learning program 
on Tribal land. 
(2) EXCEPTIONS.— 
(A) NO INDIAN TRIBE OR TRIBAL ORGANI-
ZATION AVAILABLE.—In a service area in which 
there is no Indian Tribe or Tribal organization 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00028
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
available for designation to carry out a child 
care and early learning program on Indian 
land, an entity that is not a Tribal organization 
may receive a grant to carry out a child care 
and early learning program on Indian land, but 
only until such time as an Indian Tribe or Trib-
al organization in such service area becomes 
available and is designated pursuant to this sec-
tion. 
(B) JOINT PRIME SPONSORS.—For a serv-
ice area that consists of any non-reservation In-
dian land, if the Indian Tribe or Tribal organi-
zation involved is not interested in serving or 
does not have the capacity to serve the entire 
service area, the Indian Tribe or Tribal organi-
zation may work with another prime sponsor to 
jointly serve as prime sponsors for the service 
area. 
(g) FAMILY, CHILD CARE WORKER, AND COMMU-
NITY PARTICIPATION.—The Secretary shall— 
(1) significantly involve parents, family mem-
bers, family child care home providers, child care 
and early learning staff, labor unions, and commu-
nity residents in the service area for the program in-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00029
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
volved, in the process for designation of prime spon-
sors; and 
(2) ensure that the persons selected to be in-
volved in that process shall reflect the diversity of 
the service area, with respect to income, culture, 
race and ethnicity, language, and status as a mi-
grant or seasonal farmworker, Indian, or Native Ha-
waiian. 
SEC. 114. POWERS AND FUNCTIONS OF PRIME SPONSORS. 
(a) AUTHORITY.—If an entity has been designated as 
a prime sponsor under this title— 
(1) the entity may receive and administer funds 
under this title, funds and contributions from pri-
vate or local public sources that may be used in sup-
port of a child care and early learning program, and 
funds under a Federal or State assistance program 
related to the provision of child care and early learn-
ing services; 
(2) the entity may transfer funds so received, 
and delegate powers to other agencies, subject to the 
powers of its governing board and its overall pro-
gram responsibilities; 
(3) the entity’s power to transfer funds and del-
egate powers shall include the power to make trans-
fers and delegations for services in all cases where 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00030
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
the transfers and delegations will contribute to effi-
ciency and effectiveness or otherwise further pro-
gram objectives; and 
(4) the entity may set up a process to negotiate 
wages, benefits, hours, and working conditions of 
teachers and other staff in the corresponding child 
care and early learning program. 
(b) COMPREHENSIVE
CHILD
CARE
AND
EARLY 
LEARNING PLANS.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—Financial assistance under 
this title may be provided by the Secretary to an en-
tity that is a prime sponsor designated pursuant to 
section 113 only pursuant to an application in the 
form of a comprehensive child care and early learn-
ing plan which was submitted annually by such enti-
ty and approved by the Secretary in accordance with 
the provisions of this title. 
(2) CONTENTS.—Any such plan shall set forth 
a comprehensive proposal, for providing child care 
and early learning services in the service area, 
which— 
(A) assesses all child care and early learn-
ing needs and goals within the area and the ap-
plicant’s proposal for addressing those needs; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00031
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(B) describes the demographic and eco-
nomic data and other criteria the prime sponsor 
proposes to use to determine whether a commu-
nity is in particular need of child care; 
(C) identifies specific communities deter-
mined to be in particular need of child care, 
where such communities are located, the size 
and scope of such areas, and the age groups of 
children in need of child care in such areas; 
(D) describes how the prime sponsor will 
increase the child care supply, quality, and af-
fordability for all families in communities of 
particular need, which may include providing 
start-up funding, technical assistance, training 
and professional development for the child care 
workforce, enhanced compensation, and other 
activities; 
(E) describes how the prime sponsor will 
provide comprehensive health, mental health, 
education, parental or family member involve-
ment, nutritional, social, and other services for 
the children that need child care and early 
learning services, including appropriate screen-
ing and referrals for children with challenging 
behaviors and other mental health needs; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00032
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(F) provides that services are full-working- 
day and full calendar year long, and ensures 
that the available hours of services are respon-
sive to the needs of families in the service area, 
including, as appropriate, nonstandard hour 
care; 
(G) describes how the prime sponsor will 
guarantee all children in the service area access 
to the child care and early learning program 
and use funds provided under section 112(a)(1) 
for child care and early learning services; 
(H) describes how the prime sponsor will 
promote children’s mental health, social and 
emotional well-being, and overall health, by pro-
viding supports for positive learning environ-
ments for the children, including— 
(i) strategies for supporting children 
with challenging behaviors and other so-
cial, emotional, and mental health con-
cerns; and 
(ii) teacher training and mental health 
consultations for both staff and children of 
the child care and early learning program; 
(I) includes a policy on suspension and ex-
pulsion that— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00033
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(i) prohibits or severely limits the use 
of suspension due to a child’s behavior and 
ensures suspensions are only temporary in 
nature; 
(ii) prohibits expelling or unenrolling 
a child from the program because of the 
child’s behavior; and 
(iii) provides that, in the case of a 
child exhibiting persistent and serious chal-
lenging behaviors, the program provider 
will— 
(I) explore all possible steps and 
document all steps taken to address 
such behaviors; 
(II) make efforts to facilitate the 
child’s safe participation in the pro-
gram; and 
(III) after taking the steps de-
scribed in subclauses (I) and (II), if 
the provider determines, in consulta-
tion with parents and other profes-
sionals, that the program is not the 
most appropriate placement for the 
child, work with the parents to di-
rectly facilitate the transition of the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00034
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
child to a more appropriate place-
ment; 
(J) provides that funds received under sec-
tion 112(a)(1) will be used for a child care and 
early learning program for covered children; 
(K) describes how, in the case of a prime 
sponsor located within or adjacent to a metro-
politan area, the prime sponsor will coordinate 
activities with other prime sponsors located 
within such metropolitan area; 
(L) provides that, to the extent feasible, 
the child care and early learning program will 
include children from a range of socioeconomic 
backgrounds, and that children will have access 
to all child care and early learning service pro-
viders in the service area, with priority given to 
the provider preferences stated by the parents 
and family members of low-income children; 
(M) ensures that, where socioeconomic di-
versity of children among providers in the serv-
ice area cannot be achieved, the share of pro-
gram costs not covered through the Federal 
share or program fees does not fall on a single 
provider or a subset of providers within the 
service area; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00035
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(N) provides that services will be cul-
turally, linguistically, and developmentally ap-
propriate; 
(O) provides that services will take into ac-
count the unique needs of communities, fami-
lies, and children in the service area, including 
low-income children, children with incarcerated 
parents, homeless children, and children who 
are dual language learners; 
(P) describes a system for offering child 
care and early learning options, for facilitating 
the selection of such an option, and for enroll-
ment of children, which may include estab-
lishing and operating a website for families; 
(Q) describes how the prime sponsor will 
conduct outreach to all families in the service 
area and referrals, using the appropriate me-
dium for families who speak a language other 
than English; 
(R) provides equitably for the child care 
and early learning needs of all covered children 
within the service area, and promotes equity 
and addresses disparities in the provision of 
services, including equity and disparities related 
to income, culture, race and ethnicity, language, 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00036
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
or status as a child of a migrant or seasonal 
farmworker, as a child belonging to an Indian 
Tribe, or as a Native Hawaiian child; 
(S) provides, insofar as possible, for co-
ordination of the child care and early learning 
program with other social programs; 
(T) provides for— 
(i) direct participation of parents, 
family members, and child care and early 
learning program staff, including teachers 
and paraprofessionals, in the conduct of 
overall direction of, decision-making for, 
and evaluation of the child care and early 
learning program; and 
(ii) sufficient support for the persons 
described in clause (i) to participate in the 
activities described in clause (i); 
(U) provides to the extent feasible for the 
employment as both professionals and para-
professionals of residents in the service area in 
a way that takes into account the cultural, ra-
cial and ethnic, and linguistic diversity of the 
families served; 
(V) includes to the extent feasible a career 
development plan for paraprofessional and pro-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00037
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
fessional training, education, and advancement 
on a career ladder; 
(W) provides that, insofar as possible, per-
sons residing in the service area will receive 
jobs, including in-home and part-time jobs, and 
opportunities for training in programs under 
sections 135 and 136, with special consideration 
for career opportunities for low-income individ-
uals; 
(X) provides for the regular and frequent 
dissemination of information in the language of 
workers and those to be served, to ensure that 
parents, family members, and interested per-
sons in the service area are fully informed of 
services available through the child care and 
early learning program, and of the activities of 
the prime sponsor’s Child Care and Early 
Learning Council; 
(Y) provides for coordination with adminis-
trators of programs and services that are re-
lated to child care and early learning programs 
and services and that are not funded through 
this title, including programs conducted under 
the auspices of or with the support of business 
or financial institutions or organizations, indus-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00038
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
try, labor unions, employee or labor-manage-
ment organizations, or other community groups; 
(Z) as applicable, describes any arrange-
ments for the delegation, under the supervision 
of the Child Care and Early Learning Council, 
to public or private agencies or organizations, 
of responsibilities for the delivery of child care 
and early learning services for which financial 
assistance is provided under this title or for 
planning or evaluation services to be made 
available with respect to a child care and early 
learning program under this title; 
(AA) contains plans for regularly con-
ducting surveys and analyses of needs for the 
child care and early learning program in the 
service area and for submitting to the Secretary 
a comprehensive annual report and evaluation 
in such form and containing such information 
as the Secretary shall require by regulation; 
(BB) provides that— 
(i) services for children with disabil-
ities at the State, Tribal, and local levels 
will be available, in the child care and early 
learning program approved under the plan; 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00039
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(ii) formal linkages are in place be-
tween the program and providers of early 
intervention services for infants and tod-
dlers with disabilities; 
(CC) provides assurances satisfactory to 
the Secretary that the non-Federal share re-
quirements described in section 112(c) will be 
met; 
(DD) provides for such fiscal control, fiscal 
staffing, and funding accounting procedures as 
the Secretary may prescribe to ensure proper 
disbursement of and accounting for Federal 
funds paid to the prime sponsor; 
(EE) provides that the child care and early 
learning program, or services within the pro-
gram, under this title shall be provided only for 
children whose parents or legal guardians have 
requested the services; 
(FF) sets forth satisfactory provisions for 
establishing, consistent with subsection (d)(1), 
and maintaining a Child Care and Early Learn-
ing Council which meets the requirements of 
subsection (d); 
(GG) provides verification that the sponsor 
and its delegate providers— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00040
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(i) will recognize and bargain with 
labor unions representing family child care 
home providers, teachers and other staff of 
child care and early learning programs in 
order to meet the requirements set forth in 
section 136 and for other purposes; and 
(ii) will not assist in, promote, or 
deter labor union organizing; 
(HH) provides an annual technical assist-
ance and training plan; 
(II) provides for collection and reporting of 
program performance data in both an aggregate 
form and disaggregated by family income, cul-
ture, race and ethnicity, and primary language; 
(JJ) documents a written affirmation, 
signed by the appropriate officials from Indian 
Tribes or Tribal organizations approved by the 
Tribes or Native Hawaiian groups, which recog-
nizes that the prime sponsor has engaged in 
timely and meaningful consultation with the ap-
propriate officials from Indian Tribes or Tribal 
organizations if— 
(i) a program is being operated on or 
near an Indian reservation, or if more than 
15 percent of children enrolled in the pro-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00041
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
gram are Indians or Native Hawaiians; 
and 
(ii) the prime sponsor is not an Indian 
Tribe or Tribal organization; 
(KK) provides that services will be pro-
vided with a holistic and multi-generational ap-
proach that includes promoting the well-being 
of pregnant women and engaging expectant 
parents during prenatal and early months; 
(LL) describes how the sponsor will ensure 
that key workplace protections and rights, simi-
lar to the protections and rights specified in the 
National Labor Relations Act (29 U.S.C. 151 
et seq.), are provided; 
(MM) describes how the sponsor will im-
plement a process in which, through their labor 
unions, family child care home providers and 
child care and early learning center staff par-
ticipate in a collective process to set wages, ben-
efits, hours, and minimum standards for work-
ing conditions; 
(NN) describes how the sponsor will ensure 
that family child care home providers, including 
teachers and other staff of family child care 
home providers, and teachers and other staff at 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00042
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
a child care and early learning center (including 
employees of a delegate provider) are paid com-
pensation that meets the requirements of sec-
tion 136(b); 
(OO) provides that the sponsor will provide 
teachers and other staff with supports that are 
high-quality, research-based, and rooted in 
adult learning theory; 
(PP) provides that the program will be ac-
cessible to, and that staff will receive training 
on working with, children with disabilities and 
parents with disabilities; 
(QQ) describes how the prime sponsor will 
award financial assistance to delegate providers, 
consistent with the requirements under this sec-
tion, for the provision of child care and early 
learning services for children under this section 
that, at a minimum, supports— 
(i) the providers’ operating expenses 
to meet and sustain compliance with 
health, safety, quality, and wage standards 
required under this section; and 
(ii) services to address underserved 
populations described in section 137(a)(4); 
and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00043
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(RR) meets any other requirements or pro-
vides any information the Secretary requires by 
regulation. 
(c) USES.—The Secretary shall provide the financial 
assistance to a prime sponsor, for the planning, conduct, 
administration, and evaluation of a child care and early 
learning program that delivers services in accordance with 
the requirements of the comprehensive child care and early 
learning plan specified under subsection (b), and for im-
plementing the following activities: 
(1)(A) Provide for family member and commu-
nity involvement, including the involvement of par-
ents, family members, community residents, current 
or future staff of a child care and early learning pro-
gram, and local businesses, in the design and imple-
mentation of the program. 
(B) The prime sponsor shall— 
(i) provide for the involvement in a manner 
that recognizes parents and family members as 
their children’s primary teachers and nurturers; 
and 
(ii) implement intentional strategies to en-
gage parents and family members in their chil-
dren’s learning and development and support 
parent-child relationships. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00044
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(2) Provide for implementing additional activi-
ties, other than the activities described in paragraph 
(1), that the Secretary determines to be appropriate 
by regulation, which additional activities may in-
clude— 
(A) activities to support family well-being 
related to family safety, health, and economic 
stability, including substance abuse counseling 
(either directly or through referral to local enti-
ties), which may include providing information 
on the effect of prenatal exposure to drugs and 
alcohol; and 
(B) other activities designed to facilitate a 
partnership in the program with parents in sup-
porting the development and early learning of 
their child, including providing— 
(i) training in basic child care and 
early learning (including cognitive, social, 
and emotional development); 
(ii) assistance in developing adult or 
family literacy and communication skills; 
(iii) opportunities to share experiences 
with other parents (including parent-men-
tor relationships); 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00045
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(iv) health services, including informa-
tion on maternal depression and mental 
health; 
(v) regular in-home or virtual visita-
tion; or 
(vi) family literacy services. 
(3) Provide, with respect to each participating 
family, a family needs assessment that includes con-
sultation with the parents (including, in this para-
graph, foster parents, grandparents, and kinship 
caregivers, where applicable) in the family’s pre-
ferred language or through an interpreter, to the ex-
tent practicable, and ensure parents have the oppor-
tunity to share personal information in an environ-
ment in which the parents feel safe. 
(4) Provide to parents of dual language learners 
outreach and information, in an understandable and 
uniform format and, to the extent practicable, in a 
language that the parents can understand. 
(5) Promote the continued partnership in the 
program of the parents (including, in this para-
graph, foster parents, grandparents, and kinship 
caregivers, as appropriate) of children that partici-
pate in child care and early learning programs in the 
education of their children upon transition of their 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00046
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
children to school, by working with the local edu-
cational agency— 
(A) to implement strategies and activities, 
including providing information and training to 
the parents— 
(i) to help parents advocate for and 
promote successful transitions to kinder-
garten for their children, including helping 
parents continue to be involved in the edu-
cation and development of their child, and 
to help parents understand and prepare to 
exercise their rights and responsibilities 
concerning the education of their children; 
(ii) in the case of parents with chil-
dren who receive services under section 
619 or part C of the Individuals with Dis-
abilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 
1431 et seq.), to collaborate with the par-
ents, and the local agency responsible for 
providing such services, to support the 
children and parents in transitioning to a 
new setting in elementary school; and 
(iii) to prepare parents— 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00047
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(I) to understand and work with 
schools in order to communicate with 
teachers and other school personnel; 
(II) to continue to support their 
children’s learning, in an elementary 
school setting; and 
(III) to participate as appro-
priate in decisions relating to the edu-
cation of their children and advocate 
for their children’s needs; and 
(B) to advocate for the local educational 
agency to ensure that schools have a process in 
place to take other actions, as appropriate and 
feasible, to support the active involvement of 
the parents with schools, school personnel, and 
school-related organizations. 
(6) Establish effective procedures for timely re-
ferral of children with disabilities to the State or 
local agency providing services under section 619 or 
part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education 
Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.), and collabora-
tion with that agency. 
(7) Establish effective procedures— 
(A) for providing necessary early interven-
tion services and special education and related 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00048
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
services to children with developmental delays 
and disabilities prior to an eligibility determina-
tion by the State or local agency responsible for 
providing services under section 619 or part C 
of such Act; and 
(B) in the case of a child for whom an 
evaluation determines that the child is not eligi-
ble for early intervention services or special 
education and related services under the Indi-
viduals with Disabilities Education Act (20 
U.S.C. 1400), but who has a documented sig-
nificant delay, for partnering with parents to 
help the parents access services and supports to 
help address the child’s identified needs through 
health insurance or other means. 
(8) Ensure that each family with a covered 
child who requests a placement receives one in the 
service area and, in making the placement, recognize 
and take into account the family’s needs regarding 
setting (such as a family child care home or center- 
based setting), cultural and linguistic preferences, 
operating schedule, and preferences on location. 
(9) Provide both center-based and family child 
care home options for child care and early learning 
services to families. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00049
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(d) PROGRAM GOVERNANCE.— 
(1) ADVISORY COUNCIL.—Upon receiving des-
ignation as a prime sponsor, the prime sponsor shall 
establish a Child Care and Early Learning Advisory 
Council (referred to in this section as a ‘‘Council’’) 
and maintain the Council to advise the prime spon-
sor and assist in the coordination of program serv-
ices and implementation. 
(2) STATE
COUNCIL.—In the event that the 
prime sponsor is a State, the Council shall coordi-
nate activities with the State Advisory Council on 
Early Childhood Education and Care designated or 
established under section 642B(b) in the Head Start 
Act (42 U.S.C. 9837b(b)). 
(3) OVERALL COMPOSITION.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall es-
tablish the composition requirements for the 
Council ensuring that the Council has represen-
tation of— 
(i) parents or family members of chil-
dren served by child care and early learn-
ing programs; 
(ii) staff and providers of child care 
and early learning programs, or their rep-
resentatives; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00050
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(iii) other relevant stakeholders. 
(B) REPRESENTATION.—Members of the 
Council shall reflect the population served by 
the prime sponsor, with respect to income, cul-
ture, race and ethnicity, language, and status 
as a migrant or seasonal farmworker, Indian, or 
Native Hawaiian. 
(4) CHAIRPERSON.—Each Council shall select 
its own chairperson, from among the members of the 
Council. 
(5) CONFLICT OF INTEREST.— 
(A) IN GENERAL.—Members of the Council 
shall— 
(i) not have a financial conflict of in-
terest with the prime sponsor; 
(ii) not receive compensation for serv-
ing on the Council or for providing services 
to the prime sponsor; 
(iii) not be employed, nor shall mem-
bers of their immediate family be em-
ployed, by a prime sponsor in the service 
area; and 
(iv) as a Council, operate as an entity 
independent of staff employed by the prime 
sponsor. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00051
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(B) EXCEPTION.—If an individual holds a 
position as a result of public election or political 
appointment, and such position carries with it 
a concurrent appointment to serve as a member 
of a Council, and such individual has any con-
flict of interest described in clause (ii) or (iii) 
of subparagraph (A)— 
(i) such individual shall not be prohib-
ited from serving on such body and the 
Council shall report such conflict to the 
Secretary; and 
(ii) if the position held as a result of 
public election or political appointment 
provides compensation, such individual 
shall not be prohibited from receiving such 
compensation. 
(6) RESPONSIBILITIES.—The Council shall pro-
vide regular advice and guidance to the prime spon-
sor on the basic goals, policies, actions, and proce-
dures, at a basic level, for the prime sponsor relating 
to the child care and early learning program in-
volved, including policies with respect to planning, 
general supervision and oversight, overall coordina-
tion, personnel, budgeting, funding, and monitoring 
and evaluation, of the programs. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00052
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(e) PROGRAM GOVERNANCE ADMINISTRATION.— 
(1) IMPASSE
POLICIES.—The Secretary shall 
develop policies, procedures, and guidance for prime 
sponsors concerning the resolution of internal dis-
putes, including any impasse in the governance of 
child care and early learning programs. 
(2) CONDUCT
OF
RESPONSIBILITIES.—Each 
prime sponsor shall ensure the sharing of accurate 
and regular information for use by the Council, 
about program planning, policies, and operations. 
(3) TRAINING AND TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE.— 
Appropriate training and technical assistance shall 
be provided to the members of the Council to ensure 
that the members understand the information the 
members receive and can effectively oversee and par-
ticipate in the child care and early learning program 
of the prime sponsor. 
(f) COLLABORATION AND COORDINATION.—On re-
ceiving designation as a prime sponsor, the prime sponsor 
shall ensure that the child care and early learning program 
is implemented in a way that promotes collaboration and 
coordination with public and private entities, to the max-
imum extent practicable, to improve the availability and 
quality of services to children and families, including im-
plementing each of the following activities: 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00053
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(1) Conduct outreach to schools in which chil-
dren participating in the child care and early learn-
ing program will enroll following the program, local 
educational agencies, the local business community, 
community-based organizations, faith-based organi-
zations, museums, health care providers, and librar-
ies to generate support and leverage the resources of 
the entire local community in order to improve 
school readiness. 
(2) Coordinate activities and collaborate with 
entities (including providers) carrying out programs 
under the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.), section 106 
of the Child Abuse Prevention and Treatment Act 
(42 U.S.C. 5106a), parts B and E of title IV of the 
Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 621 et seq., 670 et 
seq.), subtitle B of title VII of the McKinney-Vento 
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11431 et seq.), 
section 619 and part C of the Individuals with Dis-
abilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et 
seq.), or the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et 
seq.), and other entities providing early childhood 
education and development programs or services. 
(3) Take steps to coordinate activities with the 
local educational agency serving the service area in-
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00054
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
volved and with schools in which children partici-
pating in the child care and early learning program 
will enroll following the program, including— 
(A) collaborating on the shared use of 
transportation and facilities, in appropriate 
cases; 
(B) collaborating to reduce the duplication 
and enhance the efficiency of services while in-
creasing the program participation; and 
(C) exchanging information on the provi-
sion of noneducational services. 
(4) If there is a public preschool program in the 
service area that is not a prime sponsor nor a partic-
ipant in the child care and early learning program, 
enter into a memorandum of understanding with the 
local entity responsible for managing the preschool 
program, not later than 1 year after the date of en-
actment of this Act, that shall— 
(A)(i) provide for a review of each of the 
activities described in clause (ii); and 
(ii) include plans to coordinate, as appro-
priate, activities regarding— 
(I) educational activities, curricular 
objectives, and instruction; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00055
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(II) public information dissemination 
and access to programs for families con-
tacting the child care and early learning 
program or the preschool program; 
(III) selection priorities for eligible 
children to be served by the child care and 
early learning program or any of the pre-
school programs; 
(IV) service areas; 
(V) staff training, including opportu-
nities for joint staff training on topics such 
as academic content standards, instruc-
tional methods, curricula, and social and 
emotional development; 
(VI) program technical assistance; 
(VII) provision of additional services 
to meet the needs of parents or family 
members, as applicable; 
(VIII) communications and outreach 
to parents and family members for smooth 
transitions to kindergarten as required in 
paragraphs (3) and (6) of section 122(a); 
(IX) provision and use of facilities, 
transportation, and other program ele-
ments; and 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00056
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
edge, skills, and competency expectations 
of the child care and early learning, or 
early childhood education, profession. 
(2) 
COMPREHENSIVENESS.—As 
appropriate 
and practicable, the Secretary shall make efforts to 
ensure that the Federal Standards for Child Care 
and Early Learning Services are as comprehensive 
as the Head Start program performance standards 
in section 641A(a) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 
9836a(a)), and the performance standards for pro-
viders and programs issued under the military child 
care program. 
(3) SPECIAL COMMITTEE.— 
(A) APPOINTMENT.—The Secretary shall, 
within 60 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, appoint a Special Committee on Fed-
eral Standards for Child Care and Early Learn-
ing Services. 
(B) COMPOSITION.—The Committee shall 
include— 
(i) parents or legal guardians of chil-
dren participating in child care and early 
learning programs; 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00068
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
(ii) representatives of prime sponsors 
carrying out child care and early learning 
programs; 
(iii) representatives of staff of child 
care and early learning programs, includ-
ing teachers; 
(iv) representatives of Indian Tribes 
and Tribal organizations carrying out child 
care and early learning programs on In-
dian land; 
(v) representatives of family child care 
home providers, staff and employers for 
center-based child care and early learning 
programs, and family child care home pro-
viders in child care and early learning pro-
grams; and 
(vi) specialists covering the areas of 
child care and early learning quality, work-
force preparation, working conditions, and 
wages, and early childhood development. 
(C) DIVERSITY.—The Secretary shall en-
sure that the membership of the Committee is 
diverse with regard to culture, race and eth-
nicity, and language. 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00069
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS
104 
hearing for any prime sponsor (including a delegate 
provider), finds— 
(A) that the prime sponsor has failed to 
comply substantially with any requirement set 
forth in the plan of the prime sponsor approved 
under section 113 or 114; 
(B) that the delegate provider has failed to 
comply substantially with any requirement set 
forth in the application of the provider ap-
proved pursuant to section 115(c); or 
(C) that in the operation of any program 
(or services) carried out by any such prime 
sponsor (or delegate provider) under this title 
the prime sponsor (or delegate provider) has 
failed to comply substantially with any applica-
ble provision of this title, including a regulation 
promulgated under this title. 
(2) ACTION.—On making a finding under para-
graph (1), the Secretary shall notify the prime spon-
sor or delegate provider involved of the findings and 
that no further payments may be made to such 
prime sponsor or delegate provider under this title 
(or in the Secretary’s discretion that any such prime 
sponsor shall not make further payments under this 
title to specified delegate providers affected by the 
VerDate Sep 11 2014 
00:56 Oct 21, 2025
Jkt 069200
PO 00000
Frm 00104
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H5658.IH
H5658
ssavage on LAPJG3WLY3PROD with BILLS