Family Child Care Advocates and Supporters,
Federal activity on child care continues in the 119th Congress, with several bills introduced that could impact how family child care is funded and supported. These proposals focus on areas like subsidy payments, workforce support, tax policy, nutrition, and broader system changes. Most of these bills are still in early stages and remain in committee. Even so, they show continued federal attention to child care. For family child care educators, these policies directly affect payment, operating costs, and long-term sustainability.
Find All Bills in One Place
You can track all federal legislation, including the bills listed here, on Congress.gov: congress.gov
To view these bills together, use the search bar and enter terms like: “child care 119th Congress” or search by specific bill numbers (e.g., S. 3862, H.R. 581).
Below is a summary of the child care bills currently introduced in the 119th Congress.
Bills currently under consideration in the 119th Congress (2025-26)
Direct impact on educators and reimbursement
- S. 3862 would amend the CCDBG Act to require states to pay educators based on verified attendance rather than enrollment. This could significantly change how payments are calculated.
- The Child Care Supply Tax Credit Act of 2025 (S. 3534) would create a new wage-based tax credit for educators, including family child care, with higher percentages for rural areas.
- The Child Care Workforce and Facilities Act of 2025 (S. 169/H.R. 581) provides grants to expand the workforce and improve facilities in child care shortage areas.
Comprehensive system reform
- The Child Care for Every Community Act (H.R. 5658) proposes a universal model with capped family costs and wage alignment for educators.
- The Child Care for Working Families Act (S. 2295 / H.R. 4418) would limit child care costs to 7 percent of income for lower-income families and support significant wage increases.
- The Child Care Modernization Act (S. 2828) would require states to use a cost estimation model to set reimbursement rates, reflecting the actual cost of providing quality care.
Food, nutrition, and operational support
- The Child Care Nutrition Enhancement Act (S. 1420 / H.R. 2859) would eliminate the two-tier reimbursement system in CACFP for family child care homes.
- The Early Childhood Nutrition Improvement Act (S. 1447 / H.R. 2818) would allow reimbursement for a third meal and simplify eligibility reporting requirements.
Specialized care and tax policy
- The After-Hours Child Care Act (S. 3845) would provide incentives for care during nontraditional hours.
- The Improving Child Care for Working Families Act of 2025 (H.R. 5558) would increase DCAP limits for families.
- The Stronger Start for Working Families Act (S. 3596) would expand access to the Child Tax Credit.
Policy decisions shape reimbursement, nutrition funding, tax relief, and the structure of child care systems nationwide. While it remains uncertain which of these proposals will ultimately pass, the sheer volume of child care legislation introduced this Congress signals that advocacy is working; child care remains a bipartisan priority, and many lawmakers are seeking solutions.
NAFCC continues to monitor legislative activity and advocate for policies that are detailed, feasible, and reflective of how family child care operates every day.
How to Take Action
Your experience matters. What is happening in your program and your community helps shape stronger policies for family child care. By sharing your story, you help ensure that decision-makers understand the real impact of policy on educators and families.
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