Child Care for Working Families Act

Bill: 115-s-1806
Sponsor: full_name: Sen. Murray, Patty [D-WA]
Introduced: 2017-09-14
Policy area: Education
Subjects: Academic performance and assessments

Adoption and foster care

Appropriations

Child care and development

Child health

Crime prevention

Disability and paralysis

Domestic violence and child abuse

Education of the disadvantaged

Education programs funding

Family services

Health programs administration and funding

Higher education

Homelessness and emergency shelter

Preschool education

Student aid and college costs

Teaching, teachers, curricula

Women's health
Latest action: action_date: 2017-09-14
text: Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Summaries:
action_date: 2017-09-14
action_desc: Introduced in Senate
text: <p><strong>Child Care for Working Families Act</strong></p> <p>This bill provides additional grant funding for child care and preschool programs. It also modifies various requirements for the programs, including policies regarding compensation and training for employees. </p>

tv_txt: II 115th CONGRESS 1st Session S. 1806 IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES September 14, 2017 Mrs. Murray (for herself, Mr. Casey , Ms. Hirono , Mr. Franken , Mr. Schumer , Mr. Leahy , Mrs. Feinstein , Mr. Wyden , Mr. Durbin , Mr. Menendez , Ms. Klobuchar , Mr. Merkley , Mrs. Gillibrand , Mr. Blumenthal , Ms. Baldwin , Mr. Murphy , Mr. Heinrich , Ms. Warren , Mr. Markey , Mr. Booker , Mr. Van Hollen , Ms. Duckworth , Ms. Hassan , Ms. Harris , Mr. Reed , Mr. Udall , and Mr. Brown ) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions A BILL To amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 and the Head Start Act to promote child care and early learning, and for other purposes.

1. Short title This Act may be cited as the Child Care for Working Families Act . I Child Care and Development Assistance 101. Purposes Section 658A(b) of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9801 note) is amended— (1) by striking paragraph (1) and inserting the following: (1) to ensure that no low- to moderate-income family pays more than 7 percent of its household income on child care; ; (2) by striking paragraph (2) and inserting the following: (2) to support working parents in making their own decisions regarding the child care services that best suit their family’s needs; ; (3) in paragraph (4)— (A) by striking high-quality, and inserting high-quality and inclusive, and ; and (B) by inserting , including before- and after-school and summer care for school-age children, after services ; (4) in paragraph (5), by inserting before the semicolon the following: , and to help child care programs meet evidence-based or national standards to improve the quality of child care ; (5) in paragraph (6)— (A) by inserting , including children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities before the semicolon; and (B) by striking and at the end; (6) in paragraph (7)— (A) by striking high-quality and inserting high-quality and inclusive ; and (B) by striking the period at the end and inserting ; and ; and (7) by adding at the end the following: (8) to support statewide systems to support the needs of infants and toddlers with disabilities, better coordinate child care and other services, and assist States in increasing the number of child care providers that provide high-quality and inclusive care to families of infants or toddlers with disabilities and families of children with disabilities. . 102. Appropriations Section 658B of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858 ) is amended by striking all that follows the section heading and inserting the following: (a) In general There are authorized to be appropriated and there are appropriated to carry out this subchapter (other than paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 658O(a)) $20,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2018, $30,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2019, $40,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2020, and such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2021 and each subsequent fiscal year. (b) Territories; Indian tribes There are authorized to be appropriated and there are appropriated to carry out paragraphs (1) and (2) of section 658O(a) such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2018 and each subsequent fiscal year. . 103. Establishment of program Section 658C of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858a ) is amended to read as follows: 658C. Establishment of child care program The Secretary is authorized to administer a child care program under which families in the State shall be provided an opportunity to obtain child care for eligible children, subject to the requirements of this subchapter. . 104. Lead agency Section 658D of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858b ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a), by striking a grant and inserting payments ; and (2) in subsection (b)(1)(A), by inserting before the semicolon the following: , including by certifying the eligibility of children . 105. Application and plan (a) Plan requirements 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 (2)— (A) in subparagraph (A)— (i) by striking the matter preceding clause (i) and inserting the following: (A) Supporting working parents Support working parents by providing assurances that— ; and (ii) by striking clause (i)(II) and inserting the following: (II) to enroll such child with a child care provider who has received a child care certificate as defined in section 658P(2) from such parent or parents; ; (B) in subparagraph (E)— (i) in clause (i)— (I) by striking subclause (II) and inserting the following: (II) the State's tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of child care providers, described in subparagraph (W)(i), including— (aa) a description of the national standards or other equally rigorous and evidence-based standards tied to child outcomes that the State uses for purposes of subparagraph (W)(i)(II)(aa); (bb) the payment rates referred to in paragraph (4), for providers at each tier of such system; and (cc) the number and percentage of eligible providers at each tier of such system, in total and disaggregated by geographic location; ; (II) in subclause (IV), by inserting the program carried out under title II of the Child Care for Working Families Act , after 9831 et seq.), ; and (III) in subclause (VII), by striking and at the end; (ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period at the end and inserting a semicolon; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: (iii) information about the State's wage ladder described in subparagraph (G)(iii); and (iv) information on opportunities for staff of child care providers to improve their skills and credentials, including information about training opportunities and professional organizations that provide such training. ; (C) in subparagraph (G)— (i) in clause (i), by striking and professional development requirements and inserting , professional development, and compensation requirements ; (ii) in clause (ii)(V)— (I) by redesignating item (dd) as item (ee); (II) in item (cc), by striking and ; and (III) by inserting after item (cc) the following: (dd) infants and toddlers with disabilities; and ; (iii) by redesignating clauses (iii) and (iv) as clauses (v) and (vi), respectively; and (iv) by inserting after clause (ii) the following: (iii) Compensation The plan shall provide a description of the State’s wage ladder for staff of eligible child care providers, and an assurance that wages for such staff will, at a minimum, meet the requirements of paragraph (4)(B)(iii)(II). (iv) Stakeholder engagement The plan shall demonstrate how the State will facilitate participation of staff of eligible child care providers in organizations that foster the professional development and stakeholder engagement of the child care workforce. ; (D) in subparagraph (I)— (i) in clause (i)(XI), by striking and at the end; (ii) in clause (ii), by striking the period and inserting ; and ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: (iii) may include a requirement to comply with the standards recommended in the Department of Health and Human Services’ report entitled Caring for Our Children Basics: Health and Safety Foundations for Early Care and Education , issued on June 25, 2015. ; (E) in subparagraph (K)(i), in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking , not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014 , ; (F) in subparagraph (M)— (i) by adding investment of quality child care amounts described in section 658G(a)(1), after parents, ; (ii) by redesignating clause (iv) as clause (v); (iii) in clause (iii), by striking , as defined by the State; and and inserting a semicolon; and (iv) by inserting after clause (iii) the following: (iv) infants and toddlers with disabilities; and ; (G) in subparagraph (N)— (i) in clause (i)(I), by striking , if that family income does not exceed 85 percent of the State median income for a family of the same size ; (ii) in clause (ii), by striking (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.)) ; and (iii) by striking clause (iv); (H) in subparagraph (O)— (i) in clause (i), by striking with programs operating and all that follows and inserting “with programs, operating at the Federal, State, and local levels for children, that are— (I) preschool programs, programs funded under title II of the Child Care for Working Families Act , programs funded under section 657C of the Head Start Act, tribal early childhood programs, and other early childhood programs, including those serving infants and toddlers with disabilities; (II) programs serving homeless children and children in foster care; and (III) programs funded under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.). ; (ii) by striking clause (ii); and (iii) by redesignating clause (iii) as clause (ii); (I) in subparagraph (Q)— (i) by striking low-income populations and inserting children in underserved areas, children with disabilities, and infants and toddlers with disabilities ; (ii) by striking high-quality and inserting high-quality and inclusive ; and (iii) by inserting before the period the following: and to children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities ; (J) by striking subparagraph (S) and inserting the following: (S) Prohibition on suspensions, expulsions, and aversive behavioral interventions The State plan shall provide an assurance that the State will provide assistance to carry out this subchapter only to eligible child care providers that prohibit— (i) the use of suspension and expulsion of children; and (ii) the use of aversive behavioral interventions. ; (K) in subparagraph (T)— (i) in clause (i)— (I) in the matter preceding subclause (I), by striking (or develop such guidelines if the State does not have such guidelines as of the date of enactment of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 2014) ; and (II) in subclause (I), by striking research-based and inserting evidence-based ; and (ii) in clause (iv)— (I) by striking subclauses (II) and (III); (II) by striking Federal Government and all that follows through mandate and inserting Federal Government to mandate ; and (III) by striking section; and inserting section. ; (L) in subparagraph (U)— (i) in clause (ii), by inserting the State’s lead agency established or designated under section 635(a)(10) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1435(a)(10) ), after the State resource and referral system, ; and (ii) in clause (iii)(I), by inserting infants and toddlers with disabilities, after children with disabilities, ; and (M) by adding at the end the following: (W) Tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of child care providers The State plan shall describe how the State will develop or revise with input from child care providers, from families, and from organizations representing child care directors, teachers, and other staff, within 3 years after the date of submission of the State application, systems for measuring the quality of eligible child care providers who provide services for which assistance is made available under this subchapter, that consist of— (i) a tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of eligible child care providers who serve eligible children, that— (I) applies to eligible child care providers (except providers of family, friend, or neighbor care that elect to be covered under clause (ii)); (II) includes a set of standards, for determining the tier of quality of a child care provider, that— (aa) uses the degree to which the provider meets national standards (which may be Head Start program performance standards described in section 641A(a) of the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9836a(a) ) or standards for national accreditation of early learning programs) or other equally rigorous and evidence-based standards that are tied to child outcomes; and (bb) includes indicators that are appropriate for different types of providers, including child care centers and family child care providers, and are appropriate for providers serving different age groups (including mixed age groups) of children, while maintaining a high level of quality child care by all of the different types of providers and for all of the different age groups (including mixed age groups); (III) includes a different set of standards that includes different indicators, to be applied, when appropriate, for care during nontraditional hours of operation; and (IV) in conjunction with the increasing payment rates under paragraph (4) (increasing due to factors specified in paragraph (4) such as the cost estimation model and quality basis for payment rates), provides for sufficient resources to enable standards at the entry tier for such system to increase in rigor over time; and (ii) a separate system of quality standards for providers concerning developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate care that— (I) applies to eligible child care providers of family, friend, or neighbor care (except such providers that elect to be covered under clause (i)); and (II) includes standards for care during nontraditional hours of operation and traditional hours of operation. (X) Prohibition on charging more than copayment The State plan shall provide that, after the systems described in subparagraph (W) are in effect, child care providers receiving financial assistance under this subchapter may not charge the family of an eligible child more than the total of— (i) the financial assistance provided to the family under this subchapter; and (ii) any applicable copayment pursuant to paragraph (5). (Y) Policies to support children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities The State plan shall provide a description of— (i) how the State will ensure that eligible child care providers, except for providers of family, friend, or neighbor care that elect to be covered under subparagraph (W)(ii), will prioritize children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities for slots in programs carried out by the providers; and (ii) how the State will work with the State’s lead agency established or designated under section 635(a)(10) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1435(a)(10) ), local educational agencies, and early intervention services providers to provide services and supports described in the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.) in inclusive child care settings to children with disabilities, and to infants and toddlers with disabilities, who are eligible children. ; (2) in paragraph (3)— (A) in the paragraph heading, by striking block grant ; (B) in subparagraph (A), by striking subparagraphs (B) through (D) and inserting subparagraph (C) ; (C) by striking subparagraph (B) and inserting the following: (B) Child care services and related activities The State shall use amounts provided to the State for each fiscal year under this subchapter for child care services, provided on a sliding fee scale basis, and the activities described in section 658G. ; (D) by striking subparagraph (C); (E) in subparagraph (D), by striking provide assistance and inserting provide assistance (including providing access to programs that meet the standards for a high tier of the system described in paragraph (2)(W)(i)) ; (F) by striking subparagraph (E); and (G) by redesignating subparagraph (D) as subparagraph (C); and (3) by striking paragraphs (4) and (5) and inserting the following: (4) Payment rates (A) In general The State plan shall— (i) certify that payment rates for the provision of child care services for which assistance is provided in accordance with this subchapter— (I) will be based on a cost estimation model that is described in subparagraph (B) and is approved by the Secretary of Health and Human Services; and (II) will correspond to differences in quality based on the State's tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of child care providers, described in paragraph (2)(W)(i), and based on the standards described in paragraph (2)(W)(ii); and (ii) specify whether the State is electing— (I) to include, in those payment rates, a bonus for serving children during nontraditional hours; or (II) to waive the copayment described in paragraph (5) for a child who has been identified as eligible for assistance from child protective services. (B) Cost estimation model The State plan shall— (i) demonstrate that the State has, after consulting with the entities and individuals described in subparagraph (D), developed and used (not earlier than 3 years before the date of the submission of the application containing the State plan) a statistically valid and reliable cost estimation model for the rates of such child care services in the State— (I) for providers at each of the tiers of the State's tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of child care providers described in paragraph (2)(W)(i) (which rates reflect variations in the cost of child care services by geographic area, type of provider, and age of child, and the additional costs associated with providing high-quality and inclusive child care services for children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities); and (II) for providers that meet the standards described in paragraph (2)(W)(ii); (ii) demonstrate that the State prepared a detailed report containing the child care costs estimated with the State cost estimation model pursuant to clause (i), and made the estimated costs widely available (not later than 30 days after the completion of the estimation) through periodic means, including posting the estimated costs 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 most recent estimates from the most recent cost estimation model used pursuant to clause (i), so that providers at each tier of the tiered and transparent system for measuring program quality receive payment that is not less than the cost of meeting the requirements of such tier; and (II) that maintain an effective and diverse workforce by ensuring wages for staff of child care providers that— (aa) are comparable to wages for elementary educators with similar credentials and experience in the State; and (bb) at a minimum, provide a living wage for all staff of child care providers; and (iv) describe how the State will provide for timely payment for child care services provided under this subchapter. (C) Payment practices The State plan shall include— (i) 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, including the practice of paying the providers the payment rate described in subparagraph (A)(i) based on the number of children enrolled and not the number of children in daily attendance, so as to provide stability of funding and encourage more child care providers to serve children who receive assistance under this subchapter; and (ii) an assurance that the State will implement enrollment and eligibility policies that support the fixed costs of providing child care services by delinking provider payment rates from an eligible child’s occasional absences due to holidays or unforeseen circumstances such as illness. (D) Entities and individuals consulted The entities and individuals referred to in subparagraph (B)(i) are 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) ), administrators of local child care programs and Head Start programs, organizations representing child care directors, teachers, and other staff, local child care resource and referral agencies, organizations representing parents of children with disabilities and parents of infants and toddlers with disabilities, the State interagency coordinating council established under section 641 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1441 ), the State advisory panel established under section 612(a)(21) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1412(a)(21) ), and other appropriate entities. (5) Sliding scale for copayments (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraphs (B)(i) and (C), the State plan shall provide an assurance that the State will require— (i) a family receiving assistance under this subchapter to pay the copayment referred to in paragraph (2)(X); or (ii) another entity to pay the copayment on behalf of the family, voluntarily or in accordance with Federal law. (B) Sliding scale Such copayment shall be based on a sliding scale that provides that, for a family with a family income— (i) of not more than 75 percent of State median income, the family shall not pay a copayment, toward the cost of the child care involved for all eligible children in the family; (ii) of more than 75 percent but not more than 100 percent of State median income, the copayment shall be more than 0 but not more than 2 percent of that family income, toward such cost for all such children; (iii) of more than 100 percent but not more than 125 percent of State median income, the copayment shall be more than 2 but not more than 4 percent of that family income, toward such cost for all such children; and (iv) of more than 125 percent but not more than 150 percent of State median income, the copayment shall be more than 4 but not more than 7 percent of that family income, toward such cost for all such children. (C) Special rule The State shall not require a family with a child that is eligible for a Head Start program under the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) to pay a copayment under this paragraph for any eligible child in the family. . 106. Limitations Section 658F is amended— (1) by striking the section heading and inserting the following: 658F. Limitations ; and (2) in subsection (b)(1), by striking section 658O(c)(6) and inserting section 658O(b)(6) . 107. 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. 9848e ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking A State and all that follows through for activities and inserting A State that receives a payment under section 658J shall reserve and use the quality child care amount described in paragraph (2) for activities ; and (ii) by adding for all age groups of eligible children before , and is in alignment with ; and (B) by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) and inserting the following: (2) Quality child care amount Such State shall reserve and use— (A) during fiscal years 2018 through 2020, from each payment made to the State for a fiscal year, a quality child care amount equal to 50 percent of the allotment; and (B) during fiscal year 2021 and each subsequent fiscal year, from each of the quarterly payments made to the State for a fiscal year, a quality child care amount equal to not more than 10 percent of 25 percent of the amount made available to the State to carry out this subchapter for the second preceding fiscal year. ; and (2) by striking subsection (b) and inserting the following: (b) Activities (1) In general Quality child care amounts reserved under subsection (a) shall be used to carry out activities that— (A) consist of— (i) each of the activities described in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of paragraph (2), and the activities described in paragraph (2)(C) under the circumstances described in that paragraph; (ii) the activities described in paragraph (3); (iii) at the election of the State, the activities described in paragraph (4); (iv) not fewer than one of the activities described in a subparagraph of paragraph (5); (v) not fewer than one of the activities described in a subparagraph of paragraph (6), or in the matter preceding subparagraph (A) of paragraph (6); (vi) each of the activities described in paragraph (7); (vii) one or more activities described in a subparagraph of paragraph (8); and (viii) at the election of the State during fiscal years 2018 through 2020— (I) remodeling, renovation, or repair permitted under section 658F(b); or (II) construction or renovation permitted under section 658O(b)(6), with priority for funding for such construction or renovation given to— (aa) providers of high-quality and inclusive care for children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities; (bb) care during nontraditional hours; (cc) providers in rural areas; and (dd) providers in underserved areas or areas of concentrated poverty; and (B) will improve the quality of child care services provided in the State. (2) Quality improvement grants A State shall use quality child care amounts to improve the quality of child care providers across the State that are eligible for assistance under this subchapter, including by— (A) making startup grants (including, in the case of providers of family, friend, or neighbor care, grants for activities described in paragraph (8)(H)) to child care providers that are not yet participating in the tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of child care providers described in section 658E(c)(2)(W)(i), in a fiscal year, and that commit to improve quality so that the provider involved can participate in that system in the subsequent fiscal year; (B) making quality improvement grants to child care providers that meet the requirements for a tier of the State tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of child care providers described in section 658E(c)(2)(W)(i), in a fiscal year, and that commit to improve quality so that the provider involved can meet the requirements for a higher tier in the subsequent 3 fiscal years; and (C) renewing a grant described in subparagraph (A) or (B) at the end of the applicable grant period, for a provider that demonstrates sufficient progress in meeting the goals for the grant. (3) Activities to assist homeless children and children in foster care A State shall use quality child care amounts for activities that improve access to child care services for homeless children and children in foster care, including— (A) the use of procedures to permit immediate enrollment of homeless children and children in foster care while required documentation is obtained; (B) training and technical assistance on identifying and serving homeless children and their families, and children in foster care and their foster families; and (C) specific outreach to homeless families and foster families. (4) Child care resource and referral system (A) In general A State may use quality child care amounts 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. (B) Local or regional organizations The local or regional child care resource and referral organizations supported as described in subparagraph (A) shall— (i) provide parents in the State with consumer education information referred to in section 658E(c)(2)(E) (except as otherwise provided in that section), concerning the full range of child care options (including faith-based and community-based child care providers), analyzed by provider, including child care provided during nontraditional hours, child care provided through emergency child care centers, and inclusive child care options for children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities, in their political subdivisions or regions; (ii) 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 clause (i), 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 the most appropriate child care setting to suit their needs and one that provides high-quality and inclusive care; (iii) collect data and provide information on the coordination of services and supports, including services provided 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 and infants and toddlers with disabilities, and services provided under the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); (iv) collect data and provide information on the supply of and demand for child care services in political subdivisions or regions within the State and submit such information to the State; (v) work to establish partnerships with public agencies and private entities, including faith-based and community-based child care providers, to increase the supply and quality of child care services in the State; (vi) 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; and (vii) work to establish partnerships with the parent resource centers established under section 672 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1472 ) to provide information about inclusive child care options for children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities, including children with more significant disabilities and children with complex medical needs. (5) Training and professional development A State shall use quality child care amounts for supporting the training and professional development of the child care workforce through activities such as those included under section 658E(c)(2)(G), in addition to— (A) (i) offering training, coaching, or professional development opportunities for child care providers that relate to the use of evidence-based, developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate strategies to promote the social, emotional, physical, adaptive, communication, and cognitive development of children, including strategies related to nutrition and physical activity and recommended practices for exposing children birth through age 2 and children ages 2 through 5 to screen media; and (ii) offering specialized training for child care providers caring for those populations prioritized in section 658E(c)(2)(Q), homeless children, children in foster care, children who are dual language learners, and children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities; (B) incorporating the effective use of data to guide program improvement; (C) implementing effective behavior management strategies (and related training), including implementing multitiered systems of support such as support through positive behavior interventions and supports, and trauma informed care, that— (i) promote positive social and emotional development; (ii) prevent and reduce challenging behaviors, including by setting consistent expectations for all students; and (iii) eliminate suspensions, expulsions, and aversive behavioral interventions; (D) providing training and outreach on engaging parents and families in culturally and linguistically appropriate ways, including for parents and families of dual language learners, to expand their knowledge, skills, and capacity to become meaningful partners in supporting their children’s positive development; (E) providing training corresponding to the nutritional and physical activity needs of children to promote healthy development; (F) providing training or professional development for child care providers regarding the early neurological development of children; (G) connecting staff members of child care providers with available Federal and State financial aid, or other resources, that would assist the staff members in pursuing relevant postsecondary training; (H) creating or expanding a statewide scholarship program for child care providers to obtain credentials related to child care; (I) creating or expanding an apprenticeship program for child care providers in the early years of providing child care; (J) providing training, scholarship opportunities, or apprenticeships for multilingual adults in order to expand the supply of high-quality, dual-language child care programs; (K) supporting articulation agreements between public institutions of higher education that offer 2-year programs and public institutions of higher education that offer 4-year programs, for the purposes of facilitating, for child care providers or individuals seeking to become such providers, the transfer of postsecondary credits for coursework related to child care from such institutions with 2-year programs to such institutions with 4-year programs; (L) providing training and professional development on child developmental milestones and evidence-based developmental screening practices that help identify infants, toddlers, and children to be referred for evaluation concerning eligibility for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.); or (M) undertaking efforts to improve the diversity of staff of eligible providers, including efforts to recruit a more diverse workforce. (6) Programs and services for infants and toddlers A State shall use quality child care amounts to promote and expand child care providers’ ability to provide developmentally appropriate services for infants and toddlers through activities that may include— (A) (i) training and professional development; and (ii) coaching and technical assistance on this age group’s unique needs from statewide networks of qualified infant-toddler specialists; (B) improving infant and toddler components within the State’s tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of child care providers described in section 658E(c)(2)(W)(i), for child care providers for infants and toddlers, or developing infant and toddler components in a State’s child care licensing regulations or early learning and development guidelines; (C) improving the ability of parents to access transparent and easy to understand consumer information about high-quality and inclusive care for infants and toddlers; or (D) 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 cognitive and physical development, infant and toddler well-being, or infant and toddler social and emotional development, including providing health and safety training (including training in safe sleep practices, first aid, and cardiopulmonary resuscitation) for providers and caregivers. (7) Inclusive care for children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities A State shall use quality child care amounts for activities to improve the supply of eligible child care providers that provide high-quality and inclusive care for children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities through activities, which shall include— (A) offering training, professional development, or coaching opportunities for child care providers that relate to the use of evidence-based, developmentally appropriate, and age-appropriate strategies in inclusive settings to promote the social, emotional, physical, adaptive, communication, and cognitive development of children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities, and their peers; (B) improving the ability of parents to access transparent and easy-to-understand consumer information about high-quality and inclusive care for children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities; and (C) promoting and expanding child care providers’ ability to provide developmentally appropriate services for infants and toddlers with disabilities through improved coordination of systems, services, and other activities with the providers and individuals who provide services or supports under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.). (8) Other activities A State may use quality child care amounts for— (A) improving upon the development or implementation of the early learning and developmental guidelines described in section 658E(c)(2)(T) by providing technical assistance to eligible child care providers that enhances the cognitive, physical, social, and emotional development, including early childhood development, of participating preschool and school-aged children and supports their overall well-being; (B) developing, implementing, or enhancing the State’s tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of child care providers, as described in section 658E(c)(2)(W)(i); (C) facilitating compliance with State requirements for inspection, monitoring, training, and health and safety, and with State licensing standards; (D) evaluating and assessing the quality and effectiveness of child care programs and services offered in the State, including evaluating how such programs positively impact children; (E) supporting child care providers in the voluntary pursuit of accreditation by a national accrediting body with demonstrated, valid, and reliable program standards of high quality; (F) supporting State or local efforts to develop or adopt high-quality program standards relating to health, mental health, social and emotional development, nutrition, physical activity, and physical development; (G) activities that improve the availability of child care services, activities that improve access to child care services, and any other activity that the State determines to be appropriate to meet the purposes of this subchapter, with priority being given for services (including giving priority access to services through providers at the highest tier of the system described in section 658E(c)(2)(W)(i)) to homeless children, children in foster care, children of families with very low family incomes (taking into consideration family size), children with disabilities, and infants and toddlers with disabilities; (H) activities to improve the quality of providers of family, friend, or neighbor care, which may include— (i) offering education, training, business development, apprenticeship, mentoring, or leadership development opportunities for the providers; (ii) conducting home visits and coaching that provide one-on-one advice and support; (iii) conducting play and learn sessions or other types of peer networking; (iv) facilitating participation in the program carried out under this subchapter or 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 ); (v) assistance in achieving licensure, if the provider wants to become licensed; and (vi) recruiting providers of family, friend, or neighbor care to build the supply of high-quality and inclusive care by such providers; (I) (i) supporting eligible child care providers to eliminate suspensions, expulsions, and aversive behavioral interventions, including through adaptations and interventions by special educators, mental health consultants, and other community resources, such as behavior coaches, psychologists, and other appropriate specialists; and (ii) promoting multitiered systems of support such as positive behavioral interventions and supports and trauma informed care that promote positive social and emotional development and reduce challenging behaviors; (J) activities to improve the supply and quality of child care programs and services to provide high-quality and inclusive care for school-age children, which may include— (i) establishing or expanding high-quality and inclusive school-age child care standards and a system of supports for such care that align with best practices for before- and after-school care and summer care; (ii) enhancing professional development and technical assistance opportunities for providers of school-age care; and (iii) improving the ability of parents to access transparent and easy to understand consumer information about high-quality and inclusive school-age care; (K) establishing or expanding high-quality and inclusive community or neighborhood-based family and child development centers, which shall serve as resources for child care providers in order to improve the quality of early childhood services provided to children from low-income families and to help eligible child care providers improve their capacity to offer high-quality and inclusive, age-appropriate care; (L) establishing or expanding the operation of community or neighborhood-based family child care networks; or (M) supporting eligible child care providers in providing accessible comprehensive services for children and their families, including— (i) screenings of vision, hearing, health (including mental health), dental health, and development (including early literacy and math skill development), which shall be coordinated with the activities carried out through the comprehensive child find system under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.); (ii) (I) family engagement opportunities that take into account the language spoken in the child’s home, such as parent conferences (with opportunities for parents to provide input about the child’s development); and (II) support services, such as parent education, home visiting, and family literacy services; (iii) (I) nutrition services, including provision of nutritious meals and snack options aligned with the requirements in the most recent guidelines promulgated by the Secretary of Agriculture for the Child and Adult Care Food Program authorized under section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1766 ); and (II) regular, age-appropriate, nutrition education for children and their families; (iv) programs, carried out in coordination with local educational agencies and entities providing services and supports authorized under part B and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1411 et seq.; 1431 et seq.), to ensure the full participation of infants and toddlers with disabilities and children with disabilities in high-quality and inclusive child care settings; (v) physical activity programs that— (I) are aligned with evidence-based guidelines, such as those recommended by the Health and Medicine Division of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; and (II) take into account and accommodate the needs of children with disabilities; and (vi) on-site service coordination, to the maximum extent feasible. . 108. Administration and enforcement 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), by striking child care standards and inserting standards for child care described in clauses (i) and (ii) of section 658E(c)(2)(W) ; (B) in paragraph (3), by inserting and after the semicolon; (C) in paragraph (4), by striking ; and and inserting a period; and (D) by striking paragraph (5); (2) in subsection (b)(2)(A), by striking State allotment and inserting State payments ; and (3) by striking subsection (c). 109. State quarterly payments (a) In general Section 658J of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858h ) is amended to read as follows: 658J. Payments to States (a) Definitions In this section: (1) FMAP The term FMAP has the meaning given the term in the first sentence of section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(b) ). (2) Infant or toddler The term infant or toddler means a child under age 3. (b) Payments to States (1) In general Except as provided in paragraphs (2) and (3), the Secretary shall pay to each State with an application approved under section 658E an amount for each quarter equal to the FMAP of expenditures in the quarter— (A) for child care assistance under the plan for eligible children, other than such children who are infants or toddlers; and (B) to carry out activities under section 658G, subject to the limit specified in section 658G(a)(2). (2) Child care assistance for infants or toddlers The Secretary shall pay to each State with such an approved application an amount for each quarter equal to 90 percent of expenditures in the quarter for child care assistance under the plan for eligible children who are infants or toddlers. (3) Administration The Secretary shall pay to each State with such an approved application an amount for each quarter equal to 50 percent of expenditures in the quarter for the costs incurred by the State in carrying out sections 658H and 658K, and other reasonable costs incurred by the State to administer the plan. (c) Advance payment; retrospective adjustment (1) In general The Secretary may make payments under this section for each quarter on the basis of advance estimates of expenditures submitted by the State and such other investigation as the Secretary may find necessary, and may reduce or increase the payments as necessary to adjust for any overpayment or underpayment for previous quarters. (2) Limitations The Secretary may not make such payments in a manner that prevents a State from complying with the requirement specified in section 658E(c)(3). (d) Flexibility in submittal of claims Nothing in this section shall be construed as preventing a State from claiming as expenditures in a quarter expenditures that were incurred in a previous quarter. (e) State entitlement This subchapter constitutes budget authority in advance of appropriations Acts and represents the obligation of the Federal Government to provide for payments to States under this section from amounts provided under section 658B(a). . (b) Effective date The amendments made by this section take effect on October 1, 2020. 110. Reporting Section 658K(a)(1)(B) of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858i(a)(1)(B) ) is amended— (1) in clause (x), by striking and ; (2) by transferring clause (xi) so as to appear after clause (x); (3) in clause (xi), by inserting and after the semicolon; and (4) by inserting after clause (xi) the following: (xii) whether the children receiving assistance under this subchapter are either children with disabilities or infants and toddlers with disabilities; . 111. Priority; website Section 658L of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858j ) is amended— (1) in the third sentence of subsection (a), by striking 658E(c)(3)(B) and inserting section 658G(b)(8)(G) ; (2) in subsection (b)(2)(B)— (A) in clause (ii), by striking a Quality Rating and Improvement System and inserting a tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of child care providers described in section 658E(c)(2)(W)(i) and ; (B) in clause (iv), by striking and at the end; (C) in clause (v), by striking the period and inserting ; and ; and (D) by inserting at the end the following: (vi) information about— (I) high-quality and inclusive care for children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities, including child care with early intervention services under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) for infants and toddlers with disabilities and their families, and child care with services and supports under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1431 et seq.) for children with disabilities; and (II) other Federal, State, or local programs that may support inclusive child care for infants and toddlers, or children, referred to in subclause (I). . 112. Nondiscrimination Section 658N of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858l ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1)(A), by striking this section and inserting this subsection ; (B) by striking paragraph (2); (C) by redesignating paragraphs (3) and (4) as paragraphs (2) and (3), respectively; and (D) in paragraph (3)— (i) in the paragraph heading, by striking and admission ; (ii) by striking (1)(B), (2), and (3) and inserting (1)(B) and (2) ; (iii) by striking and admissions ; and (iv) by striking or admissions ; (2) in subsection (b)— (A) in the subsection heading, by striking State Law and inserting Other Laws ; (B) by striking Nothing and inserting the following: (1) Expenditures Nothing ; and (C) by adding at the end the following: (2) Rights, remedies, procedures, or standards Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to invalidate or limit rights, remedies, procedures, or legal standards available to victims of discrimination in employment or in provision of programs and activities under any other Federal law or law of a State or political subdivision of a State, including the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.), title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ( 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), section 504 or 505 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 794 , 794a), or the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). The obligations imposed by this subchapter are in addition to those imposed by the Civil Rights Act of 1964 ( 42 U.S.C. 2000a et seq.), title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 ( 20 U.S.C. 1681 et seq.), section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 ( 29 U.S.C. 794 ), and the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 12101 et seq.). ; and (3) by adding at the end the following: (c) Nondiscrimination in programs and activities (1) In general Except as described in paragraph (2), no person in the United States shall, on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability, be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be subjected to discrimination under any program or activity funded in whole or in part, with funds made available under this subchapter or with amounts appropriated for grants, contracts, or certificates administered with such funds. (2) Preference in enrollment If assistance provided under this subchapter, and any other Federal or State program, amounts to less than 80 percent of the operating budget of a child care provider that receives such assistance, a child care provider may select children for child care slots that are not funded directly with assistance provided under this subchapter because such children or their family members participate on a regular basis in other activities of the organization that owns or operates such provider. . 113. Indian tribes and national activities (a) In general Section 658O of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858m ) is amended— (1) by striking the heading and inserting the following: 658O. Indian tribes and national activities ; (2) in subsection (a)— (A) in paragraph (1)— (i) by striking one half of 1 percent of the amount appropriated under this subchapter and inserting a portion of the amount appropriated under section 658B(b) ; and (ii) by striking to be allotted and all that follows and inserting the following: “to be allotted by the Secretary— (A) in accordance with the respective needs of those territories; and (B) taking into consideration— (i) the population of eligible children, and the population of eligible children from low-income families, to be served by the territory involved; and (ii) the cost of child care in the territory. ; (B) in paragraph (2)— (i) by striking (2) Indians tribes and all that follows through 658B in and inserting (2) Indian tribes .—The Secretary shall reserve the remainder of the amount appropriated under section 658B(b) in ; (ii) by striking subsection (c) and inserting subsection (b) ; and (iii) by striking subparagraph (B); (C) in paragraph (3), by striking reserve up to $1,500,000 of the amount appropriated under this subchapter and inserting reserve and use such sums as the Secretary may determine to be necessary of the amount appropriated under section 658B(a) ; (D) in paragraph (4), by striking reserve up to ½ of 1 percent of the amount appropriated under this subchapter and inserting reserve and use such sums as the Secretary may determine to be necessary of the amount appropriated under section 658B(a) ; and (E) in paragraph (5), by striking reserve ½ of 1 percent of the amount appropriated under this subchapter and inserting reserve and use such sums as the Secretary may determine to be necessary of the amount appropriated under section 658B(a) ; (3) by striking subsection (b); (4) in subsection (c)— (A) in paragraph (3)— (i) in subparagraph (A), by striking and at the end; (ii) in subparagraph (B), by striking the period and inserting ; and ; and (iii) by adding at the end the following: (C) (i) the population of Indian or Native Hawaiian eligible children, and the population of Indian or Native Hawaiian eligible children from low-income families, to be served by the Indian tribe or tribal organization; (ii) the cost of child care in the area to be served by the tribe or organization; and (iii) whether awarding a grant or contract to the tribe or organization will increase the number of programs that reach standards described in subsection (a)(1)(B)(iii); ; and (B) in paragraph (6)— (i) by inserting (or other recipient of funds through a State payment under section 658J (referred to in this paragraph as a covered recipient )) after organization the first place it appears; and (ii) except as provided in subparagraph (A), by inserting (or other covered recipient) after organization each place it appears; (5) by redesignating subsection (c) as subsection (b); (6) by striking subsection (d); (7) in subsection (e)— (A) by striking paragraphs (1) through (3); (B) by striking (e) Reallotments .— and all that follows through Any and inserting (e) Reallotments .—Any ; and (C) by striking subsection (c) each place it appears and inserting subsection (b) ; and (8) by redesignating subsections (e) and (f) as subsections (c) and (d), respectively. (b) Effective date This section takes effect on October 1, 2020. 114. Definitions Section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858n ) is amended— (1) in paragraph (2)— (A) by inserting child care provider on behalf of a before parent ; and (B) by striking who may use such certificate only as payment ; (2) in paragraph (3)— (A) by striking subparagraph (B); and (B) by redesignating subparagraphs (C) and (D) as subparagraphs (B) and (C), respectively; (3) in paragraph (4)(B), by striking 85 percent and inserting 150 percent (100 percent for fiscal year 2018, 115 percent for fiscal year 2019, and 130 percent for fiscal year 2020) ; and (4) by adding at the end the following: (16) Foster care (A) In general The term foster care means 24-hour substitute care for a child placed away from the child’s parents or guardians and for whom the State agency has placement and care responsibility. The term includes care through a placement in a foster family home, a foster home of a relative, a group home, an emergency shelter, a residential facility, a child care institution, or a pre-adoptive home. (B) Rule A child shall be considered to be in foster care in accordance with subparagraph (A) regardless of— (i) whether the foster care facility is licensed and payments are made by the State or local agency for the care of the child; (ii) whether adoption subsidy payments are being made prior to the finalization of an adoption; or (iii) whether there are Federal matching funds for any payments described in clause (i) or (ii) that are made. (17) Gender identity The term gender identity means the gender-related identity, appearance, mannerisms, or other gender-related characteristics of an individual, regardless of the individual’s designated sex at birth. (18) High-quality and inclusive care The term high-quality and inclusive , used with respect to care (including child care), means care provided by an eligible child care provider— (A) that is at the highest tier of the State’s tiered and transparent system for measuring the quality of child care providers, under section 658E(c)(2)(W)(i); (B) for whom the percentage of children served by the provider who are children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities reflects the prevalence of children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities among children within the State; and (C) that provides care for children with disabilities and infants and toddlers with disabilities alongside children who are— (i) not infants and toddlers with disabilities; and (ii) not children with disabilities. (19) Homeless child The term homeless child means an individual who is a homeless child or youth under section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434 ). (20) Infant or toddler with a disability The term infant or toddler with a disability has the meaning given the term in section 632 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1432 ). (21) Sex The term sex includes— (A) a sex stereotype; (B) pregnancy, childbirth, or a related medical condition; and (C) sexual orientation or gender identity. (22) Sexual orientation The term sexual orientation means homosexuality, heterosexuality, or bisexuality. . 115. Miscellaneous provisions Section 658S of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858q ) is amended— (1) by striking Notwithstanding and inserting the following: (a) Child care not treated as income Notwithstanding ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (b) Rule of construction for collective bargaining Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to alter, diminish, or otherwise affect the rights, remedies, and procedures afforded to individuals employed by schools or local educational agencies, or teachers and other staff employed by child care providers— (1) under Federal, State, or local laws (including applicable regulations or court orders); or (2) under the terms of collective bargaining agreements, memoranda of understanding, or other agreements between schools, agencies, or providers that are referred to in this subsection, and their employees. . 116. Conforming amendment The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) is amended by striking the subchapter heading and inserting the following: C Child care and development assistance . 117. Transition rule (a) In general During fiscal years 2018 through 2020, the Secretary of Health and Human Services— (1) shall make allotments and payments to States and Indian tribes under section 658J and 658O of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858h , 9858m), as in effect on the day before the date of enactment of this Act, subject to subsection (b); and (2) shall carry out section 658E(c)(3) of that Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9858c(c)(3) ) by applying subparagraphs (C) and (E) of that section, as in effect on that day. (b) Adjustments During fiscal years 2018 through 2020, the Secretary shall have authority to make such adjustments as may be necessary to carry out subsection (a) and to transition to making quarterly payments under section 658J and allotments under 658O of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act, as amended by this Act. 118. Effective date This title, and the amendments made by this title, take effect on October 1, 2017. II High-quality preschool 201. Formula grants to States to establish voluntary high-quality preschool programs (a) Definitions In this section: (1) Child with a disability The term child with a disability has the meaning given the term in section 602 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1401 ). (2) Dual language learner The term dual language learner means an individual who is limited English proficient, as defined in section 637 of the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9832 ). (3) Eligible child The term eligible child means a child who is— (A) age 3, 4, or 5; (B) not yet enrolled in kindergarten; and (C) a member of a family with a family income that does not exceed 150 percent of the State median income for a family of the same size. (4) Eligible provider The term eligible provider includes a local educational agency, Head Start program funded under the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), licensed child care center, licensed family child care home, and community- or neighborhood-based family child care network, that— (A) participates in the State’s tiered and transparent system for measuring program quality described in section 658E(c)(2)(W)(i) of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858c(c)(2)(W)(i) ); and (B) meets the highest tier of such system. (5) Foster care (A) In general The term foster care means 24-hour substitute care for a child placed away from the child’s parents or guardians and for whom the State agency has placement and care responsibility. The term includes care through a placement in a foster family home, a foster home of a relative, a group home, an emergency shelter, a residential facility, a child care institution, or a pre-adoptive home. (B) Rule A child shall be considered to be in foster care in accordance with subparagraph (A) regardless of— (i) whether the foster care facility is licensed and payments are made by the State or local agency for the care of the child; (ii) whether adoption subsidy payments are being made prior to the finalization of an adoption; or (iii) whether there are Federal matching funds for any payments described in clause (i) or (ii) that are made. (6) Governor The term Governor means the chief executive officer of a State. (7) High-need school The term high-need school means an elementary school in which not less than 50 percent of the enrolled students are children from low-income families, as defined in section 2221(b)(3)(B) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6641(b)(3)(B) ). (8) High-need local educational agency The term high-need local educational agency means a local educational agency that serves a high percentage of high-need schools. (9) Homeless child The term homeless child means an individual who is a homeless child or youth under section 725 of the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11434 ). (10) Infant or toddler with a disability The term infant or toddler with a disability has the meaning given the term in section 632 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1432 ). (11) Low-income child The term low-income child means a child who is a member of a family with a family income that is at or below 200 percent of the poverty line. (12) Outlying areas The term outlying areas means the United States Virgin Islands, Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. (13) Poverty line The term poverty line means the official poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and Budget)— (A) adjusted to reflect the percentage change in the Consumer Price Index For All Urban Consumers, issued by the Bureau of Labor Statistics, occurring in the 1-year period or other interval immediately preceding the date such adjustment is made; and (B) adjusted for family size. (14) State The term State means each of the 50 States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. (b) Allotments to states (1) Reservation From the total amount appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, shall— (A) reserve not less than 1 percent and not more than 2 percent for payments to Indian tribes and tribal organizations; (B) reserve 1/2 of 1 percent for the outlying areas to be distributed among the outlying areas on the basis of their relative need, as determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services in accordance with the purposes of this section; (C) reserve 1/2 of 1 percent for eligible local entities that serve children in families who are engaged in migrant or seasonal agricultural labor; (D) reserve not more than 1 percent or $30,000,000, whichever amount is less, for national activities, including administration, technical assistance, and evaluation; and (E) reserve 5 percent for State leadership activities described in subsection (c), including the grants described in such subsection. (2) Allotment formula (A) In general Except as provided in subparagraph (B), from the total amount appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year that remains after making the reservations under paragraph (1), the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, shall allot to each State for the fiscal year that has an application approved under subsection (d) an amount that bears the same ratio to such remainder as the number of children who are below the age of 6 who reside within the State and whose families have an income at or below 200 percent of the poverty line for the most recent year for which satisfactory data are available, bears to the number of such children who reside in all such States for such most recent fiscal year for which satisfactory data are available. (B) Minimum allotment amount No State receiving an allotment under subparagraph (A) for a fiscal year shall receive less than 1/2 of 1 percent of the total amount allotted under such subparagraph for the fiscal year. (c) State reservation (1) In general The State leadership activities described in this subsection shall improve equitable access to high-quality preschool programs operated by eligible providers across the State, including programs in high-need local educational agencies, which shall include— (A) ongoing professional development opportunities for school principals, school superintendents, teachers, and teacher assistants to improve their practices, which may include activities that— (i) prepare elementary schools to create or expand preschool classrooms, including training on developmentally appropriate practices and preparing classrooms with materials and equipment for young children; (ii) promote children’s development across all of the essential domains of early learning and development; (iii) improve curricula and teacher-child interaction; (iv) increase effective family engagement, including for families of dual language learners; (v) provide culturally competent instruction, including effective instruction for children with disabilities and dual language learners; (vi) improve social and emotional development; (vii) incorporate positive behavioral interventions and supports and principles of trauma-informed care; (viii) align preschool curricula with elementary school standards and curricula; (ix) engage teachers, teacher leaders, early childhood educators, and other professionals in joint professional learning opportunities, as described in section 2103(b)(3)(G) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6613(b)(3)(G) ); and (x) improve the transition of children from preschool to elementary school; (B) completing the Preschool Equity Review and distributing grants as described in paragraph (2) in accordance with the results of such review; (C) expanding or establishing scholarships, counseling, and compensation initiatives to cover the cost of tuition, fees, materials, transportation, and release time for staff of eligible providers to pursue credentials and degrees, including bachelor’s degrees; and (D) partnerships between institutions of higher education and eligible providers, including high-need local educational agencies, to improve access to early childhood educators, including educators serving dual language learners. (2) Grants to improve equitable access to high-quality preschool programs (A) In general From amounts reserved under subsection (b)(1)(E), a State shall make grants to rectify resource inequities in preschool programs and expand access to high-quality preschool programs for all children, including children described in items (aa) through (dd) of subparagraph (B)(ii)(I). Such grants shall be awarded to high-need local educational agencies in order to improve their capacity to offer high-quality preschool programs for eligible children, which may include paying the costs of renovation. (B) Preschool equity review (i) In general Each State making grants under subparagraph (A) shall complete an annual Preschool Equity Review that informs the distribution of funds under such subparagraph. (ii) Contents of review Each Preschool Equity Review shall include data on— (I) the percentage of children participating in preschool programs funded under this section, disaggregated by status as— (aa) children with disabilities; (bb) low-income children; (cc) major ethnic and racial groups; and (dd) dual language learners; (II) the geographic location of preschool programs funded under this section; (III) the quality of preschool programs funded under the section, compared to such programs not funded under this section; and (IV) resource inequities between preschool programs, including programs serving a high percentage of children described in items (aa) through (dd) of subclause (I). (d) State application In order to receive an allotment under this section, the Governor of a State shall submit an application at such time and in such manner as the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, may require. Such application shall include each of the following: (1) A description of how the State will provide access to high-quality preschool during the school day for eligible children in the State within 3 years, which shall include the following: (A) How the State plans to distribute funds from the State's allotment to eligible providers, including an assurance that the Governor will designate a State-level entity (such as an agency or joint interagency office) for the administration of the grant. (B) An explanation of how the State will ensure that eligible providers receiving funds under this section will use research-based curricula that are aligned with State early learning standards that are developmentally appropriate and include, at a minimum, each of the following domains: (i) Language development. (ii) Literacy. (iii) Mathematics. (iv) Science. (v) Creative arts. (vi) Social and emotional development. (vii) Approaches to learning. (viii) Physical development. (C) How the State will coordinate services provided under this section with services and supports provided under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.), section 619 and part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1419 ; 1431 et seq.), the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), the Preschool Development Grants program under section 9212 of the Every Student Succeeds Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9831 note), the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 ( 20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.), the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act ( 42 U.S.C. 11301 et seq.) and the maternal, infant, and early childhood home visiting programs assisted under section 511 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 711 ). (D) How the State will improve transitions from early childhood education to elementary school, including how the State will ensure that preschool programs— (i) share relevant data between early childhood educators and kindergarten teachers; (ii) share instructional, behavioral, and other information between early childhood educators and kindergarten teachers to best support the transition of children with disabilities who may need services and supports provided under part B of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1411 et seq.) into general education settings; and (iii) share information about the proficiency of dual language learners in both English and their native language. (E) How the State will provide ongoing monitoring and support and conduct evaluations of preschool programs funded under this section. (F) How the State has reviewed the strategic plan developed under section 9212 of the Every Student Succeeds Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9831 note) or engaged in a similar strategy to facilitate coordination of existing early learning and care programs in a mixed delivery system. (G) If the State funds full-day kindergarten programs, but such full-day kindergarten programs are not available to all children who are eligible to attend such programs in the State, how the State plans to increase the number of children in the State who are enrolled in full-day kindergarten programs and a strategy to implement such a plan. (H) If the State does not fund full-day kindergarten programs, a description of how the State plans to establish such programs to strengthen the educational continuum for children who will be involved in the State’s high-quality preschool program supported under this title. (2) An assurance that all preschool programs funded under this section will— (A) offer programming that meets the duration requirements in the program performance standards applicable to Head Start programs described in section 641A of the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9836a ); (B) adopt policies and practices to provide expedited enrollment, including prioritization, to— (i) homeless children; (ii) children in foster care; and (iii) migratory children; (C) conduct outreach to families of— (i) homeless children; (ii) dual language learners; (iii) children in foster care; (iv) children with disabilities; (v) infants and toddlers with disabilities; and (vi) migratory children; (D) provide salaries to staff of eligible providers that are on the same pay scale as elementary school educators with similar credentials and experience; (E) require high staff qualifications for teachers, including, at a minimum, meeting the staff qualifications included in the quality standards of the National Institute for Early Education Research that are in effect on the date of enactment of this Act by not later than 4 years after the date the State first receives an allotment under this section; and (F) determine whether children are dual language learners and provide services to ensure the full and effective participation of such learners and their families. (3) An assurance that the State will provide assistance under this section only to eligible providers that prohibit the use of suspension, expulsion, and aversive behavioral interventions. (4) An assurance that the State will meet the requirements of clauses (ii) and (iii) of section 658E(c)(2)(T) of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858c(c)(2)(T)(ii) and (iii)). (e) Use of funds A State that receives an allotment under subsection (b)(2) for a fiscal year shall use the allotment to carry out the activities described in the State's application described in subsection (d). (f) Match required A State that receives an allotment under subsection (b)(2) for a fiscal year shall provide matching funds from non-Federal sources in an amount equal to 10 percent of the Federal funds that such State receives under such subsection for the fiscal year. (g) Reporting (1) In general Each State that receives an allotment under subsection (b)(2) shall prepare an annual report, in such manner and containing such information as the Secretary of Health and Human Services may reasonably require. (2) Contents A report prepared under paragraph (1) shall contain, at a minimum— (A) a description of the manner in which the State has used the funds made available through the allotment and a report of the expenditures made with the funds; (B) a summary of the State’s progress toward providing access to high-quality preschool programs for eligible children; (C) an evaluation of the State’s progress towards improving equitable access to high-quality preschool, as measured by the Preschool Equity Review described in subsection (c)(2)(B); (D) the number and percentage of children in the State participating in eligible preschool programs, disaggregated by race, ethnicity, family income, child age, disability, and whether the children are homeless children, children in foster care, or dual language learners; (E) data on the number and percentage of children in the State participating in public kindergarten programs, disaggregated by race, family income, child age, disability, and whether the children are homeless children, children in foster care, or dual language learners, with information on whether such programs are offered— (i) for a full-day; and (ii) at no cost to families; and (F) data on the kindergarten readiness of children across the State. (h) Maintenance of effort (1) In general If a State reduces its combined fiscal effort per child for its State preschool program or State supplemental assistance funds for Head Start programs assisted under the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) for any fiscal year that a State receives an allotment under subsection (b)(2) relative to the previous fiscal year, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, shall reduce support for such State under such subsection by the same amount as the decline in State effort for such fiscal year. (2) Waiver The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, may waive the requirements of paragraph (1) if— (A) the Secretaries determine that a waiver would be appropriate due to a precipitous decline in the financial resources of a State as a result of unforeseen economic hardship or a natural disaster that has necessitated across-the-board reductions in State services during the 5-year period preceding the date of the determination, including for early childhood education programs; or (B) due to the circumstances of a State requiring reductions in specific programs, including early childhood education, the State presents to the Secretaries a justification and demonstration why other programs could not be reduced and how early childhood programs in the State will not be disproportionately harmed by such State action. (i) Supplement not supplant Funds received under this section shall be used to supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local public funds expended on early childhood education programs in the State. (j) Appropriations There is authorized to be appropriated, and there is appropriated, to carry out this section, $8,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2018 through 2028. III Head Start extended duration 301. Extended duration (a) In general The Head Start Act is amended— (1) by redesignating section 657C ( 42 U.S.C. 9852c ) as section 657D; and (2) by inserting after section 657B ( 42 U.S.C. 9852b ) the following: 657C. Extended duration (a) In general The Secretary shall make grants to Head Start (including Early Head Start) agencies funded under this subchapter to enable such agencies— (1) to provide access to a full school year and a full school day of services; or (2) in the case of a migrant and seasonal Head Start agency, to provide access to additional service hours to ensure continuous Head Start services as determined by the Secretary. (b) Application (1) In General To be eligible to receive a grant under this section, a Head Start agency shall submit an application at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. Such application shall include— (A) evidence of— (i) the number and percentage of slots— (I) in the agency's Head Start center-based programs (that are not Early Head Start programs)— (aa) that are currently funded (as of the date of submission of the application); and (bb) in which services are provided for at least the equivalent of 1,020 hours per year; and (II) in the agency's Early Head Start center-based programs— (aa) that are currently funded (as of that date); and (bb) in which services are provided for at least the equivalent of 1,380 hours per year; and (ii) the number and percentage of slots, in the agency's Head Start family child care programs— (I) that are currently funded (as of that date); and (II) in which services are provided for at least the equivalent of 1,380 hours per year; (B) a description of an approach, using the current community-wide strategic planning and needs assessment described in section 640(g)(1)(C) of the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9835(g)(1)(C) ) and current program schedule (current as of the date of submission of the application), that transitions all of the agency's Head Start programs to a full school day, full school year program schedule; and (C) a budget justification that estimates the supplemental funding necessary to provide for incremental ongoing operating costs for the extended hours of service under such a program schedule for the current enrollment in the agency's Head Start programs. (2) Exceptions (A) In general A migrant and seasonal Head Start agency may apply for a grant described in subsection (a) without meeting the requirements specified in paragraph (1) to ensure continuous Head Start services are provided to children enrolled in a migrant and seasonal Head Start program. To be eligible to receive the grant, the agency shall submit an application at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may require. (B) Priority In making grants under this paragraph, the Secretary shall give priority to a migrant and seasonal Head Start agency operating for fewer than 8 months per year. (c) Use of funds (1) In general A Head Start agency receiving a grant under this section shall use the grant funds to cover the costs associated with extending those hours of service for the current enrollment, such as additional costs for— (A) the purchase, rental, renovation, and maintenance of additional facilities; (B) ongoing purchases of classroom supplies; (C) staff providing services during the extended hours; and (D) professional development to staff transitioning to providing services during the extended hours. (2) Exception The Head Start agency shall not use the grant funds to expand the number of children served in the Head Start (including Early Head Start) programs of the agency. (d) Reservations (1) Activities From the total amount appropriated to carry out this section, the Secretary shall— (A) for making grants for the activities described in subsection (c)(1)(A), reserve $3,600,000,000 of the funds appropriated for fiscal year 2018; and (B) for making grants for the activities described in any of subparagraphs (B) through (D) of subsection (c)(1), reserve— (i) $276,000,000 of the funds appropriated for fiscal year 2018; (ii) $648,000,000 of the funds appropriated for fiscal year 2019; and (iii) $1,019,000,000 of the funds appropriated for fiscal year 2020. (2) Migrant or seasonal head start programs From the amount appropriated to carry out this section for a fiscal year and reserved under paragraph (1)(B), the Secretary shall reserve 4.5 percent for migrant or seasonal Head Start programs. (e) Authorization of appropriations There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section— (1) $3,876,000,000 for fiscal year 2018; (2) $648,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; and (3) $1,019,000,000 for fiscal year 2020. (f) Definitions In this section: (1) Full school day; full school year The terms full school day and full school year mean such a day and year, respectively, within the meaning of the Head Start Program Performance standards issued under section 641A(a) of the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9836a(a) ). (2) Migrant and seasonal Head Start agency The term migrant and seasonal Head Start agency means an agency that is funded under this subchapter to provide a migrant and seasonal Head Start program. . (b) Conforming Amendments Section 640 of the Head Start Act ( 42 U.S.C. 9835 ) is amended— (1) in subsection (a)(6), by striking appropriated under this subchapter each place it appears and inserting appropriated under section 639 ; and (2) in subsection (g)(3)(A)— (A) by striking amount appropriated each place it appears and inserting amount appropriated under section 639 ; (B) by striking services provided under this subchapter and inserting services provided under this subchapter (other than section 657C) ; and (C) by striking agency under this subchapter and inserting agency under this subchapter (other than section 657C) . IV Appropriations for supports and services for inclusive child care for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities 401. Appropriations for supports and services for inclusive child care for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities There is authorized to be appropriated and there is appropriated for each State for each quarter an amount that is equal to 5 percent of the payment to such State for such quarter under section 658J of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858h ) to be used by— (1) the State’s lead agency designated or established under section 635(a)(10) of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1435(a)(10) ) to provide early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities (as defined in section 632 of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act ( 20 U.S.C. 1432 )) and their families in settings that provide high-quality inclusive care to such children; and (2) the State to provide services and supports to children with disabilities (as defined in section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 ( 42 U.S.C. 9858n )) in settings that provide high-quality inclusive care to such children. V Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program 501. Sense of Senate It is the sense of the Senate that— (1) from the prenatal period to the first day of kindergarten, children’s development rapidly progresses at a pace exceeding that of any subsequent stage of life; (2) as reported by the National Academy of Sciences in 2001, striking disparities exist in what children know and can do that are evident well before they enter kindergarten; these differences are strongly associated with social and economic circumstances, and they are predictive of subsequent academic performance; (3) research has consistently demonstrated that investments in high-quality programs that serve infants and toddlers better position those children for success in elementary, secondary, and postsecondary education as well as helping children develop the critical physical, emotional, social, and cognitive skills that they will need for the rest of their lives; (4) in 2011, there were 11,000,000 infants and toddlers living in the United States and 49 percent of these children came from low-income families living with incomes at or below 200 percent of the Federal poverty guidelines; (5) the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting (MIECHV) program was authorized by Congress to facilitate collaboration and partnership at the Federal, State, and community levels to improve health and development outcomes for at-risk children, including those from low-income families, through evidence-based home visiting programs; (6) MIECHV is an evidence-based policy initiative and its authorizing legislation requires that at least 75 percent of funds dedicated to the program must support programs to implement evidence-based home visiting models, which includes the home-based model of Early Head Start; (7) in fiscal year 2016, MIECHV served approximately 160,000 parents and children, which is only a small portion of those eligible, in 893 counties covering all 50 States, the District of Columbia, and 5 territories; and (8) Congress should increase its investment in MIECHV to support the work of States to help more at-risk families voluntarily receive home visits from home visitors to— (A) promote maternal, infant, and child health; (B) improve school readiness and achievement; (C) prevent potential child abuse or neglect and injuries; (D) support family economic self-sufficiency; (E) reduce crime or domestic violence; and (F) improve coordination or referrals for community resources and supports.