Social Assistance & Child Care

Child care providers, community organizations, food assistance, and other social services. Block grants, eligibility rules, program conditions, and reporting duties fund or bind the work.

Measures whose provisions reach this industry directly, verified against the bill text. Measures written for this industry lead the list, then measures that plainly change how it operates; within each, the likeliest to become law come first. Measures that have become law or failed are removed. Measures written to all of Health Care are included and marked Sector-wide.

Measures that reach Social Assistance & Child Care directly

S 4788 US Senate Last action
June 16, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Stop Child Care Scams Act of 2026

Ashley Moody (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would tighten federal child care funding rules by requiring the Health and Human Services Secretary, rather than merely allowing the Secretary, to withhold money from states and permanently bar child care providers that receive a final fraud determination from the Child Care and Development Block Grant program and the Child and Adult Care Food Program. It would also require states to submit corrective action plans when improper payments exceed 5 percent, cut off federal child care funds from states that stay above that rate for two consecutive years unless they demonstrate they will reduce the rate or make significant progress on their corrective action plan, mandate federal reviews every three years that flag high-risk states for extra monitoring, require annual state reports breaking down improper and fraudulent payments, and direct a government watchdog study of fraud prevention across federal child care and nutrition programs. This bill directly affects child care providers by permanently debarring any provider found to have committed fraud from federal child care funds, while states must file detailed fraud-prevention and eligibility-verification plans that tighten scrutiny and reporting for all providers.
Where it stands: The bill was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on June 16, 2026 and is stalled there. Referral means the bill sits in committee, and the committee is under no obligation to act on it.

HR 7726 US House Last action
June 4, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Stop Child Care Scams Act of 2026

Mary E. Miller (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services withhold funds from states that fail to meet program integrity standards and permanently debar child care providers found guilty of fraud. It also requires states to submit corrective action plans if their improper payment rates exceed five percent and subjects high-risk states to additional monitoring. This bill permanently bars from federal child care funds and food program participation any provider, institution, or family or group day care home found guilty of fraud, requires state anti-fraud plans, and adds reporting and monitoring when improper payment rates run high.
Where it stands: The bill passed the House on June 3, 2026, and was received in the Senate on June 4, 2026, where it was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S 4242 US Senate Last action
March 26, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act

Tim Scott (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal clarifies that states are permitted to use federal welfare grant funds to support organizations that provide prenatal education, pregnancy testing, and material resources for families. The text defines these eligible organizations as those that support protecting the life of the mother and the unborn child and offer specific services like counseling and diapers. This bill lets states use federal welfare grant funds to support pregnancy centers and similar social assistance organizations that offer counseling, prenatal education, and material resources like diapers, giving these providers a new revenue stream.
Where it stands: S4242 is currently referred to the Senate Committee on Finance as of March 26, 2026, with no upcoming meetings scheduled in the record. The bill is stalled in committee where the chair controls whether a hearing or markup is scheduled, though the majority leader retains the ability to bypass this stage via unanimous consent or a floor amendment.

HR 10815 US House Last action
October 15, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Bright Beginnings Act

J. Luis Correa (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a new federal tax credit of up to $10,000 per year for licensed center-based child care providers that spend money on design, tools, and practices to help children with developmental disabilities access and participate in their programs. The credit would be part of the general business credit, could be paid directly to providers even if they owe no tax, would cover amounts paid after December 31, 2026, and would expire for spending after December 31, 2031. This bill gives licensed center-based child care providers a federal tax credit of up to $10,000 per year, payable even without tax liability, for spending on design, tools, and practices that help children with developmental disabilities participate in their programs.
Where it stands: The Bright Beginnings Act was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on October 15, 2026, where it now sits at the starting point of the ordinary committee route. At this stage the committee's chair decides whether the bill ever gets a hearing or a markup; the referral itself commits the committee to nothing.

S 5683 US Senate Last action
October 15, 2026 BenefitLong shot

A bill to require the development of a best practices guide for individuals seeking to establish and operate a Family Child Care home on a military installation.

Jacky Rosen (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: Within one year of enactment, the Department of Defense would have to publish a free, searchable online guide telling people how to set up and run a Family Child Care home on a military installation, covering certification steps, training and background check requirements, available financial assistance, liability and safety rules, and recommendations for cutting red tape. The Pentagon would consult current providers and program administrators in building the guide, encourage each military service to add its own appendix, and brief Congress on barriers to expanding military child care within 18 months. This bill directs the Department of Defense to create a free online guide on starting and running a Family Child Care home on military installations, helping new providers and consulting established providers to expand military child care programs.
Where it stands: S5683 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Armed Services on October 15, 2026, under authority of the Senate's September 30, 2026 order. The bill is now at the committee stage, the chamber's first and most common choke point, and no committee meeting is currently scheduled.

HR 6945 US House Last action
January 26, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Supporting Pregnant and Parenting Women and Families Act

Michelle Fischbach (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill clarifies that states are permitted to use federal social service grants to support organizations defined as pregnancy centers. These centers are described as groups that protect life and offer resources like counseling, education, testing, and material goods to families. This bill allows states to use federal social service block grant funds to support pregnancy centers, so pregnancy resource centers in the social assistance field become eligible to receive state funding for counseling, education, testing, and material goods.
Where it stands: The bill passed the House on January 21, 2026, and was received in the Senate on January 26, 2026, where it is now pending in the Committee on Finance. This position means the bill has left the originating chamber and requires the Senate to pass identical text before it can proceed to the President.

S 4959 US Senate Last action
July 14, 2026 MixedLong shot

STOP Child Care Fraud Act

Bill Cassidy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require states to verify child care eligibility and attendance using electronic tools while ensuring providers are paid within 21 days of submitting invoices. It also mandates that states set aside 3 percent of funds for quality and compliance activities and establishes penalties for states with high improper payment rates. This bill requires child care providers, especially center-based ones, to verify attendance with electronic tools, submit complete invoices within 9 months, and pass enrollment compliance reviews, while guaranteeing payment within 21 days and barring providers listed for fraud from federal funding.
Where it stands: S4959 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on July 14, 2026, where it currently awaits action with no scheduled meetings or calendar placement recorded.

HR 8736 US House Last action
May 21, 2026 BenefitLong shotNew text pending

Restoration of Employment Choice for Adults with Disabilities Act

Glenn Grothman (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would greatly expand who can legally be paid a subminimum wage by covered employers, changing the eligibility age from workers 24 or younger to any worker 18 or older and adding a new condition that the individual chooses to accept that employment. It would also let those employers keep paying subminimum wages if the state rehabilitation agency fails to provide required counseling and referrals after documented contact attempts, and would require that related documentation be shared with the employer, with all changes applying to employment on or after enactment. This bill lets certified community rehabilitation programs and sheltered workshops pay workers with disabilities aged 18 or older subminimum wages, adds an exemption from counseling requirements when the state agency fails to respond, and grants employers copies of related documentation.
Where it stands: H.R. 8736 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on May 12, 2026, and at a markup on May 21, 2026 the committee ordered the bill reported as amended by a vote of 18 to 15. That vote is the committee's report-out event, but no written report has been filed and no calendar placement exists on the record, and the disposition of some committee amendments, including the McBath amendment to the amendment in the nature of a substitute, is unresolved, so the text as reported may still differ.

HR 10745 US House Last action
October 5, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Yaeli Martinez Child Protection Act

Mary E. Miller (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would, as a proposal, write federal protection for parents' right to raise children according to the child's sex into child welfare law: it would condition federal child welfare funds on states respecting parents who affirm their child's sex, bar federal money from funding what it calls sex-rejecting interventions or related trainings and removals, and let parents, children, and foster or adoptive caregivers sue over violations with damages, injunctions, and attorney's fees. It would also amend federal full faith and credit rules for custody so that raising a child in line with the child's sex or refusing to consent to such an intervention cannot be treated as abuse or neglect, while denying full faith and credit to custody decisions based on a child obtaining such an intervention in another state. This bill conditions federal child welfare funding on public and private child welfare and social service agencies protecting affirming parents, subjecting noncompliant agencies to fund cuts of 5 to 15 percent, lawsuits, and housing and training rules.
Where it stands: On October 5, 2026, the bill was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce and, in addition, to the Committees on the Judiciary and Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker. No hearing or markup is noticed in any of the three committees in the calendar data.

S 5593 US Senate Last action
September 29, 2026 MixedLong shot

Yaeli Martinez Child Protection Act

Eric Schmitt (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal would condition federal child welfare funding on states barring children, especially those in foster care, from receiving certain gender related medical interventions, while protecting parents and caregivers from state actions for affirming a child's sex. It would also let parents, caregivers, and children sue in federal court with damages and attorney fees, and would strip court recognition of custody or visitation orders based on a child getting such interventions or a parent refusing to consent to them. This bill conditions federal child welfare funds on child welfare agencies, foster and adoptive placement providers, and transitional living services protecting affirming caregivers, barring certain interventions in foster placements, and exposing agencies and contractors to federal lawsuits and funding penalties.
Where it stands: S5593 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance on September 29, 2026, where it now sits awaiting committee action, and no committee meetings are currently scheduled in our calendar data.

S 2120 US Senate Last action
July 15, 2026 MixedLong shot

Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025

Bill Cassidy (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This measure authorizes appropriations for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to reauthorize the Older Americans Act, providing funding for state and community programs, nutrition services, caregiver support, and elder rights protection. It implements program changes including allowing states to use up to 25 percent of congregate meal funds for grab-and-go meals, establishing a national resource center for the direct care workforce, and creating an advisory committee for Native American elders. This bill renews federal funding for 2026 through 2030 that pays area agencies on aging, senior centers, and nutrition service providers for meals, caregiver support, and elder rights programs, while requiring them to report service rates and submit new annual and biennial performance reports.
Where it stands: The Senate passed the Older Americans Act Reauthorization Act of 2025 without amendment by Unanimous Consent on July 14, 2026, and the measure was held at the desk on July 15, 2026. The bill is no longer before the Senate and is now pending in the House of Representatives.

HR 10657 US House Last action
October 1, 2026 BenefitLong shot

SPROUT Act of 2026

Jeff Crank (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would let taxpayers immediately deduct the full cost of newly built nonresidential buildings used as licensed early childhood education centers for children under 5, rather than spreading the deduction over many years, for properties placed in service after enactment and before the end of 2031, with a possible extension if a natural disaster prevents timely completion. It would also treat those centers as certain faster-depreciating property for other tax purposes. This bill lets licensed child care providers who build new early childhood education centers for children under 5 deduct the full construction cost immediately, cutting the after-tax price of building new facilities.
Where it stands: HR10657, the SPROUT Act of 2026, was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on October 1, 2026 and now sits at the committee stage, where a hearing or a markup happens only if the chair notices one and the referral itself carries no commitment to either.

S 5574 US Senate Last action
September 29, 2026 BenefitLong shot

NEST Act

Andy Kim (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a federal grant program, run by the Health and Human Services Department, that funds nonprofit groups, community health centers, tribal organizations, and birthing hospitals to buy and hand out free supply kits to new mothers, containing items like diapers, breastfeeding supplies, and blood pressure monitors. It would direct priority funding to high-need areas such as maternity care deserts, rural communities, and low-income families at or below 185 percent of the poverty line, with up to $5 million authorized for each fiscal year 2027 through 2031. This bill gives new federal grant money to nonprofit community-based organizations with a multi-state presence to buy and distribute newborn supply kits to new mothers, especially low-income and rural families.
Where it stands: On September 29, 2026, S. 5574, the NEST Act, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions, where it now sits. The committee is the stage at which most Senate bills never reach a markup.

HR 10638 US House Last action
September 28, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Skills Against Violence Act of 2026

Emilia Strong Sykes (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a federal grant program, run by the Director of the Office on Violence Against Women, that gives money to states, local governments, Indian tribes, and nonprofits with a track record of serving domestic violence and sexual assault victims so they can help survivors find and keep jobs, including counseling, occupational training, and employer outreach. It also lets grantees spend funds on support services such as child care, transportation, professional clothing, legal services, and counseling, and authorizes $40 million per year for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2030. This bill gives domestic violence and sexual assault service providers new federal grant funding for job programs, with annual reporting duties, and lets them pay child care providers to care for survivors' children.
Where it stands: HR10638 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on September 28, 2026, and no hearing or markup is currently scheduled. The bill is at the start of the committee stage, where the chair decides whether a hearing or markup is ever noticed.

HR 10487 US House Last action
September 17, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Recovery First Housing Act

Tim Burchett (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require any project sponsor receiving federal McKinney-Vento homeless assistance funds to offer substance use disorder treatment, including step-down treatment delivered by a licensed provider, to every person with a substance use disorder whom the sponsor admits to emergency shelter, transitional housing, or permanent housing, with an exception for unaccompanied minors. This bill requires homeless shelter and housing providers receiving McKinney-Vento funds, such as emergency shelters and transitional and permanent housing programs, to arrange and offer substance use disorder treatment to clients they admit, excluding unaccompanied minors.
Where it stands: HR10487 was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services on September 17, 2026 and is at the committee stage, where the Financial Services chair decides whether a hearing or markup is noticed. Committee action is the ordinary route, not the only one, since leadership could move the bill by suspension, a special rule, or discharge.

S 5436 US Senate Last action
September 17, 2026 BenefitLong shot

A bill to prohibit immigration enforcement actions at child care facilities.

Christopher Murphy (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would bar Department of Homeland Security agents, officers, employees, and anyone acting under their authority from conducting immigration enforcement actions at child care facilities. This would make child care sites off-limits for arrests, raids, and other enforcement operations carried out by federal immigration authorities. This bill directly protects child care providers by barring federal immigration agents from conducting arrests, raids, and other enforcement actions at their facilities, helping staff operate and immigrant families attend without fear.
Where it stands: S. 5436 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on the Judiciary on September 17, 2026, and it now sits in committee, the stage where most Senate bills stall, without any hearing, markup, or floor calendar placement having occurred.

HR 10443 US House Last action
September 16, 2026 MixedLong shot

American Procurement Improvement Act of 2026

Steny H. Hoyer (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would overhaul the federal AbilityOne procurement program, renaming the Committee for Purchase From People Who Are Blind or Severely Disabled as a Commission and rewriting its rules so that the fair market price and the employment mission, rather than the lowest possible price, govern what the government pays for products and services made by nonprofit agencies employing people who are blind or have significant disabilities. It would also tighten eligibility rules for participating agencies, requiring them to pay workers with disabilities the same as nondisabled peers doing similar work, provide employee professional development, and fill at least 51 percent of direct labor hours with participating employees, while adding public notice requirements for procurement list changes, annual reporting by federal agencies, and a new option for the General Services Administration to use a governmentwide contract vehicle capped at $50,000,000 when two or more qualified nonprofit agencies perform the same service. This bill changes federal procurement rules for qualified nonprofit agencies serving blind and disabled individuals, giving their products priority and fair-market pricing, adding employer liability for workers, and risking loss of eligibility if staffing rules are not met.
Where it stands: HR10443 was referred on September 16, 2026 to two committees, Oversight and Government Reform and Armed Services, for consideration of the provisions within each panel's jurisdiction. The source does not establish either committee as primary, so each chair functions as a gatekeeper, and the bill now awaits any committee action, which is the ordinary route.

HR 10228 US House Last action
September 2, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Strengthening Protections for Children with Food Allergies Act

Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require updated food allergy training for school food service personnel, covering how to recognize and respond to allergic reactions including using epinephrine, how to communicate allergen information in menus and recipes, how to prevent cross-contact, and how to make appropriate food substitutions, with the training offered in other languages and accessible formats and shared with staff in other child nutrition programs like summer meals and child and adult care food programs. It would also direct the Agriculture Department to create and distribute nutrition education materials on food allergies for WIC participants, including pregnant and postpartum individuals, infants, and children, and authorizes $1 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 for the training plus $1 million for fiscal year 2027 for the WIC materials. This bill requires food allergy training for staff in school, summer meal, and child and adult care food programs, and funds $1 million in allergy education materials for WIC providers and participants.
Where it stands: HR10228 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on September 2, 2026 and sits at the start of the committee stage, with no hearing or markup on the calendar. The chair controls whether a hearing or markup is ever noticed, though committee action is the ordinary route rather than an absolute prerequisite for further movement.

HR 10231 US House Last action
September 2, 2026 BurdenLong shot

No Homeless Detention Centers Act

Maxwell Frost (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would bar any organization receiving federal Housing and Urban Development funds from forcing homeless people, under threat of punishment, to live in facilities designated for housing or sheltering them, from requiring those residents to work as a condition of staying, and from punishing homeless people for sleeping, eating, or other life-sustaining activities on public property. It would also prohibit such federally funded entities from helping state or local police officers or private contractors punish homeless people for those activities. This bill bars shelters and social service organizations that receive HUD funds from forcing homeless people into facilities, making them work to stay, or helping police punish them for sleeping or eating in public.
Where it stands: HR10231 was referred to the House Committee on Financial Services on September 2, 2026 and sits at the start of the committee stage, with no hearing or markup in the calendar data. On the ordinary committee route the chair decides whether a hearing or markup is ever noticed, and quiet death in committee is the common outcome for House bills, though leadership procedures can provide another path.

HR 7725 US House Last action
April 6, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Stop Child Care Fraud Act of 2026

Michael A. Rulli (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill requires states to include descriptions of internal controls, fraud investigation processes, and eligibility verification procedures in their child care plans. It also mandates that states explain how they use data shared with other state and local agencies to oversee child care providers. This bill requires states to describe fraud sanctions, eligibility verification, and data oversight in child care plans, meaning child care providers will face stricter eligibility checks and possible sanctions for fraud.
Where it stands: The Stop Child Care Fraud Act of 2026 was reported by the House Committee on Education and Workforce on April 6, 2026, and placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 511. The House Committee on Rules held a business meeting on June 2, 2026, and the CBO cost estimate was released on April 17, 2026.

HR 7723 US House Last action
April 6, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Safeguarding Taxpayer Dollars in Child Care Act of 2026

Virginia Foxx (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal would require federal officials to investigate fraud in child care subsidy programs and permanently ban providers found guilty of fraud from receiving federal financial assistance. It also establishes that providers banned from one federal child care program must be permanently excluded from other related federal funding streams. This bill requires federal investigations of child care subsidy fraud and permanently bans any child care provider, institution, or family or group day care home found guilty of fraud from receiving federal financial assistance or participating in related federal programs.
Where it stands: HR 7723 was reported by the House Committee on Education and Workforce on April 6, 2026, and placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 509. A CBO cost estimate was released on April 20, 2026.

S 5364 US Senate Last action
August 7, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Rural Mothers and Fathers Choice Act

Cindy Hyde-Smith (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This act authorizes a ten-year federal grant program administered by the Secretary of Health and Human Services to provide funding for family support, early childhood education, workforce development, and health services in rural and tribal communities. It establishes hub and spoke sites operated by eligible entities to deliver these integrated services through a competitive grant process. This bill creates a ten-year HHS grant program that funds rural and tribal providers, including child care services and family support organizations, to expand infant and toddler child care capacity and deliver case management and family support services.
Where it stands: S. 5364 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on August 7, 2026. The bill is currently in the committee stage with no upcoming meetings scheduled in the available calendar data.

HR 10057 US House Last action
August 6, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act of 2026

Grace Meng (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award five-year grants to states for improving early childhood educator training, credentials, and pay. States must use these funds to provide scholarships for degrees, support credential attainment for career changers, increase compensation for educators pursuing degrees, and fund ongoing professional development. This bill gives child care providers access to five-year state grants that fund scholarships, paid substitutes and release time, and higher pay for their early childhood educators who pursue degrees and credentials.
Where it stands: HR10057 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on August 6, 2026. No upcoming meetings are scheduled in our calendar data, and the companion measure S5248 remains referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

S 5321 US Senate Last action
August 6, 2026 BenefitLong shot

HCBS Access Act

Ben Ray Luján (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require Medicaid programs to cover home and community-based services as a mandatory benefit and provide federal funds for training and retaining direct care workers. It also establishes grants for family caregivers and creates a technical assistance center to support the direct care workforce. This bill makes home and community-based services a mandatory Medicaid benefit with full federal funding, gives social assistance and child care providers new grants for recruiting and training direct care workers, and requires states to review provider payment rates every two years.
Where it stands: S5321 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Finance on August 6, 2026, placing it in the committee stage where the Finance Committee controls initial consideration.

S 5299 US Senate Last action
August 6, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Native Language Educators in Classrooms Act

Martin Heinrich (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill excludes Indian Head Start and Indian Early Head Start programs from nationwide teacher credentialing calculation requirements. It establishes separate staff qualification standards for these programs, allowing teachers to hold specific credentials or prove enrollment in a training program with a two-year deadline for completion. This bill exempts Indian Head Start and Early Head Start programs from nationwide teacher credentialing calculations and instead requires them to meet separate staff qualification standards that accept Tribal college certificates or enrollment in a training program with two years to finish.
Where it stands: S5299 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on August 6, 2026, placing it under that committee's jurisdiction where the chair controls scheduling for a hearing or markup.

S 5248 US Senate Last action
August 5, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Early Childhood Educator Professional Improvement Act of 2026

Ben Ray Luján (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This measure authorizes the Secretary of Health and Human Services to award five-year grants to states for improving the education, credentials, compensation, and professional development of early childhood educators. State funds would be used to provide scholarships for degree attainment, support credentialing for career changers, increase wages for educators pursuing degrees, and offer ongoing professional development training. This bill gives child care providers federal funding through five-year state grants that pay tuition scholarships, wage increases, and professional development training for their early childhood educators.
Where it stands: S5248 was read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on August 5, 2026, and currently awaits committee action.

HR 10038 US House Last action
August 3, 2026 BenefitLong shot

FORK Act of 2026

Andrea Salinas (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill authorizes $1 million annually for fiscal years 2027 through 2029 to fund a pilot program where service institutions can receive grants to buy, retrofit, or repair vehicles for delivering meals to children during the summer. Grants are capped at $100,000 per entity and prioritize applicants in rural areas or locations with high economic need and social disadvantage. This bill funds grants of up to $100,000 for community food and social service organizations to buy, retrofit, or repair vehicles for delivering meals to children during the summer, prioritizing rural and high-need applicants.
Where it stands: HR 10038 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on August 3, 2026, and no future meetings are scheduled in the calendar data. The measure remains in the committee stage without a noticed hearing or markup.

HR 9993 US House Last action
July 30, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Rise Up for Child Care Act of 2026

Gwen Moore (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This act would convert federal child care funding into an open-ended entitlement and require states to guarantee child care services for certain welfare recipients and their immediate former recipients. It would also provide a higher federal matching rate for states that supplement the wages of home-based child care providers and allocate $20 million annually for related research. This bill guarantees child care for welfare recipients, driving demand to child care providers, and raises the federal match to 75 percent so states can supplement the wages and benefits of home-based child care workers.
Where it stands: HR9993 was referred to the House Committee on Ways and Means on July 30, 2026, with no upcoming meetings currently scheduled. The chair controls whether a hearing or markup occurs, though leadership may bypass the committee via suspension or a special rule.

HR 9958 US House Last action
July 27, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026

Jahana Hayes (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would authorize $36 billion annually for Head Start programs and create new grant programs totaling $7.8 billion annually for infrastructure improvements and employee salary supplements. It would also expand eligibility by defining public assistance to include several federal benefit programs and provide loan forgiveness for childcare workers who serve in Head Start for three years. This bill directly benefits Head Start and Early Head Start child care agencies by funding $36 billion annually for programs, grants to build or improve facilities, grants to supplement employee pay, and student loan forgiveness for workers after three years of service.
Where it stands: HR9958 is referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce as of July 27, 2026. No upcoming meetings are scheduled for this measure in the available data.

HR 9824 US House Last action
July 23, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Daycare Not Detentions Act of 2026

Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill would appropriate $69.5 billion for child care programs, including the Child Care and Development Block Grant, Head Start, and related state entitlements. It would fund these expenses by rescinding $70 billion in unobligated funds previously allocated to U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. This bill directly funds child care providers and Head Start centers in the social assistance and child care industry by appropriating $69.5 billion for Child Care and Development Block Grants, Head Start programs, and related state entitlements and preschool development grants.
Where it stands: HR 9824 is in active committee consideration after being referred to the House Committee on Appropriations, the House Committee on the Judiciary, and the House Committee on Homeland Security on July 22, 2026. The bill was subsequently referred to the Subcommittee on Border Security and Enforcement on July 23, 2026, with no meetings currently scheduled.

HR 9878 US House Last action
July 22, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act

Mary Gay Scanlon (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require child welfare grant recipients to prioritize placing children with relatives and to provide specific training and support services to kinship caregivers. It also mandates the inclusion of kinship family organizations and caregivers on advisory boards and in information dissemination efforts regarding child abuse prevention. This bill amends child abuse prevention grants to require prioritizing placement of children with relatives and to fund training and support services for kinship caregivers, benefiting child care providers and individual and family services organizations serving these families.
Where it stands: The bill is active and was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on July 22, 2026. No hearings or markups are currently scheduled in the available calendar data.

HR 9875 US House Last action
July 22, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Protecting Childcare from Private Equity Act

Josh Riley (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal would require large private funds that operate more than 25 childcare locations to report ownership data to the Securities and Exchange Commission and prohibit them from selling their stake or extracting capital from newly acquired childcare entities for four years. It also mandates a government study on how private equity ownership affects childcare quality, costs, and wages. This bill restricts large private equity firms and funds that own more than 25 childcare locations by requiring SEC ownership reports, banning sales and payouts from newly acquired centers for four years, and triggering a study of effects on childcare quality, tuition, and wages.
Where it stands: HR9875 was referred on July 22, 2026, to the House Committee on Financial Services and the House Committee on Education and Workforce, with no meetings currently scheduled.

S 5065 US Senate Last action
July 22, 2026 MixedLong shot

Help Grandfamilies Prevent Child Abuse Act

Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill amends child abuse prevention laws to require states to prioritize placing children with relatives and expands community grants to support kinship caregivers. It also adds kinship family organizations to a national advisory board and mandates training for caregivers on trauma and substance use. This bill requires states to prioritize placing children with relatives and expands federal community grants, giving child care and family services organizations new funding and training duties for kinship caregivers while adding reporting burdens.
Where it stands: S5065 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on July 22, 2026. No committee meetings are currently scheduled.

HR 9796 US House Last action
July 21, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Supporting Grandfamilies Act of 2026

Suzanne Bonamici (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill would appropriate $10 million in fiscal year 2027 to fund a National Technical Assistance Center on Grandfamilies and Kinship Families through a grant or contract. The Center would provide training and resources to community organizations and government programs that serve these families, with a specific focus on caregivers aged 55 or older and children with disabilities. This bill appropriates $10 million to fund a national technical assistance center that would provide training, resources, and coordination support to community organizations and nonprofits serving grandfamilies and kinship care families.
Where it stands: The bill is active and was referred on July 21, 2026, to the Committee on Education and Workforce and additionally to the Committees on Financial Services, the Judiciary, and Energy and Commerce. Since the source does not designate a primary panel, the chairs of all four committees act as gatekeepers for the provisions within their respective jurisdictions.

HR 7109 US House Last action
January 15, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Small Business Child Care Investment Act

Susie Lee (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill would allow nonprofit child care providers to qualify as small businesses for certain Small Business Administration loan and financing programs. It requires these loans to be issued through partner financial institutions rather than direct government lending and mandates that loans over $500,000 include a third-party guarantee. This bill lets nonprofit child care providers qualify as small businesses so they can obtain SBA loans through partner banks, with loans over $500,000 requiring a third-party guarantee.
Where it stands: HR 7109 is blocked in the House Committee on Small Business, where it was referred on January 15, 2026. The committee chair controls whether any markup or hearing occurs, and no meetings are currently scheduled.

S 4976 US Senate Last action
July 14, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Native Children’s Commission Implementation Act of 2026

Lisa Murkowski (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill authorizes funding for programs improving health, education, housing, and social services for Native American, Alaska Native, and Native Hawaiian communities. It establishes grants for child nutrition, language schools, and workforce development while expanding tribal control over federal benefits and health data. This bill funds tribal child care, Head Start, domestic violence and victim service providers, and food and housing assistance organizations with new grants, while raising the tribal share of child care block grant funds and letting tribal entities administer SNAP.
Where it stands: S4976 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs on July 14, 2026. The bill awaits committee action, with no hearings or markups scheduled.

S 1528 US Senate Last action
April 22, 2026 BurdenLong shot

CHILD Act of 2025

Richard J. Durbin (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill expands the definition of covered individuals for background checks under the National Child Protection Act to include contractors and individuals licensed or certified by qualified entities. It also extends eligibility to individuals employed by or volunteering with entities that are under contract with these qualified organizations. This bill requires child care providers and social service organizations that are qualified entities to run background checks on contractors, licensed or certified staff, and employees or volunteers of contracted entities before they work with vulnerable populations.
Where it stands: The Senate passed S. 1528 without amendment by unanimous consent on April 21, 2026, and the bill was received in the House and held at the desk on April 22, 2026.

HR 9553 US House Last action
June 30, 2026 BurdenLong shot

Child Care Small Business Insight and Improvement Act of 2026

Greg Landsman (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This act requires the Small Business Administration to submit a report to Congress within 120 days of enactment regarding the challenges, support resources, and fraud instances affecting for-profit child care providers. The report must include recommendations for legislative actions to address these issues and prevent the misuse of federal funds. This bill directs the Small Business Administration to report to Congress on the challenges, support resources, and fraud affecting for-profit child care providers, subjecting them to federal scrutiny and possible funding restrictions.
Where it stands: The bill was referred to the House Committee on Small Business on June 30, 2026, and remains at the initial committee stage with no hearings or markups scheduled in the current calendar data.

SJRES 199 US Senate Last action
July 30, 2026 BurdenLong shot

A joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Health and Human Services relating to "Restoring Flexibility in the Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF)".

Patty Murray (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This joint resolution would disapprove a Department of Health and Human Services rule regarding the Child Care and Development Fund. The rule concerning restoring flexibility in the fund would be rendered ineffective and have no legal force. This bill cancels a federal rule that gave child care providers and state administrators more flexibility in using Child Care and Development Fund money, meaning providers lose those restored options and face the stricter prior rules again.
Where it stands: The measure was discharged from the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on July 29, 2026, and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders on July 28, 2026. A motion to proceed to consideration was rejected by a vote of 47 to 52 on July 30, 2026, leaving the measure blocked on the floor.

S 4896 US Senate Last action
June 24, 2026 MixedLong shot

Child Care Innovation Advancement Act of 2026

Amy Klobuchar (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill establishes a five-year pilot program that provides federal food reimbursement to organized child care programs operating in non-residential settings. This program allows eligible facilities, such as those in commercial spaces or employer-provided sites, to receive funds for nutritious meals provided to children under their care. This bill lets child care centers in commercial or employer-provided spaces get federal reimbursement for the nutritious meals they serve, but participating programs must pass annual audits and can be cut off from funds if audit findings go unresolved.
Where it stands: S4896 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry on June 24, 2026. The bill is currently pending in that committee, which is the ordinary route for consideration though not an absolute prerequisite for floor action.

S 5627 US Senate Last action
September 30, 2026 BenefitLong shot

John Lewis Equality in Medicare and Medicaid Treatment Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Cory A. Booker (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation to weigh health equity and health disparities when selecting and evaluating its payment and service delivery models, and to consult with federal minority health, rural health, and women's health offices before choosing models. It would also direct the Center to begin testing a new social determinants of health payment model by the end of 2027, covering behavioral health services, capacity building in underserved areas, and care for Medicaid-eligible pregnant and postpartum women.
Where it stands: S5627 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on September 30, 2026. It now sits at the committee stage, which is where most Senate bills stall, and no committee meeting is scheduled in our calendar data.

HR 10531 US House Last action
September 24, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Alma S. Adams (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a new federal grant program to set up sickle cell disease treatment centers organized as hub-and-spoke networks, pairing medical hubs like hospitals and university health centers with spokes such as community health centers and primary care providers, plus community-based nonprofits, to deliver coordinated lifelong care. It would also create a National Sickle Cell Disease Coordinating Center, expand CDC data collection on sickle cell disease, and authorize unlimited appropriations for fiscal year 2027 and beyond, with 70 percent of funds going to hub-and-spoke networks, 20 percent to community-based organizations, and 5 percent each to the coordinating center and CDC data activities.
Where it stands: HR10531 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 24, 2026 and is at the starting point of the ordinary House route, where the committee chair decides whether the bill ever gets a hearing or a markup. No further dated action or scheduled meeting appears in the record.

S 5488 US Senate Last action
September 23, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Chris Van Hollen (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a federal grant program to set up sickle cell disease treatment centers built on hub-and-spoke networks of hospitals, clinics, university health centers, local providers, and community-based nonprofits, coordinated by a new national center and a CDC data collection effort. It would authorize unlimited appropriations for these activities starting in fiscal year 2027, with 70 percent of the money going to the hub-and-spoke networks, 20 percent to community-based organizations, 5 percent to the coordinating center, and 5 percent to the CDC data program.
Where it stands: S5488 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions on September 23, 2026, so it sits at the committee stage, the chamber's most frequent choke point, where most bills never get a markup. No markup or other committee action is scheduled in our calendar data.

S 5424 US Senate Last action
September 17, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Community Health Worker Access Act

Sector-wide

Lisa Blunt Rochester (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would make community health services delivered by community health agencies meeting Secretary-established requirements, such as community-based organizations, clinics, and health departments, a covered Medicare Part B benefit starting in 2027, paid at 100 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or a fee set by the Secretary, with no Medicare deductible applying to them. It would also give states the option, starting in 2027, to cover preventive and social support services furnished by community health workers, promotoras, and community health representatives through Medicaid, with the federal government paying an added 6 percentage points of the cost of those services.
Where it stands: S5424 was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on September 17, 2026, where it now sits at the committee stage. In the Senate, committee is the ordinary route and also the most common choke point, since most bills never reach a markup.

HR 10414 US House Last action
September 16, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Community Health Worker Access Act

Sector-wide

Alma S. Adams (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would add community health services, such as preventive care, outreach, care coordination, and social support delivered through community health agencies, to Medicare coverage starting January 1, 2027, paying 100 percent of the lesser of the actual charge or a fee set by the Secretary and waiving the deductible for these services. It would also give states the option, beginning January 1, 2027, to cover preventive and social determinant services furnished by community health workers, promotoras, or community health representatives under Medicaid, with the federal match for those services increased by 6 percentage points.
Where it stands: The Community Health Worker Access Act (HR 10414) was referred on September 16, 2026 to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker. The bill sits at the start of the House committee stage, with no hearings or markups currently scheduled in either panel.

HR 10331 US House Last action
September 10, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Patient Navigation Assistance Act

Sector-wide

Mark DeSaulnier (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require state Medicaid programs to reimburse eligible organizations for patient navigator services, meaning help from trained navigators who connect patients to medical, social, financial, and other needed services, and it would count those services as covered medical assistance with federal matching funds. The coverage would start the first calendar year after enactment, with extra time for states that must change their laws to comply. This bill requires state Medicaid programs to reimburse community-based social assistance organizations for patient navigator services, giving child care and social service groups a new funding source when trained staff connect Medicaid patients to needed services.
Where it stands: HR10331 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce on September 10, 2026 and sits at the start of the committee stage, with no hearing or markup scheduled.

HR 3747 US House Last action
July 21, 2026 BenefitLong shot

Accelerating Access to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training Act

Sector-wide

Troy Balderson (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal reauthorizes the Project ECHO Grant Program for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and expands eligible grant recipients to include public and nonprofit private entities. It also adds dementia care to the list of health outcomes the program supports to build provider capacity.
Where it stands: The bill passed the House on July 20, 2026, and was received in the Senate on July 21, 2026, where it is pending in the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

HR 9877 US House Last action
July 22, 2026 MixedLong shot

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Raul Ruiz (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal would launch a sweeping federal health equity agenda: requiring detailed demographic data collection across federal health programs, expanding Medicaid, Medicare, CHIP, and premium subsidies (including to people regardless of immigration status and in the territories), and funding a very large set of grant programs for maternal health, mental and behavioral health, minority-serving institutions, language access, rural hospitals, cancer and HIV care, dental coverage, and community health workers. It would also require private and public insurers to cover services like tobacco cessation, HIV prevention drugs, and certain screenings without cost sharing, mandate free menstrual products and universal free school meals, set enforceable workplace heat protections, boost the health workforce, and raise federal tobacco excise taxes.
Where it stands: On July 22, 2026, HR9877 was referred to the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and in addition to the Committees on Ways and Means, Agriculture, Oversight and Government Reform, Education and Workforce, the Judiciary, the Budget, Veterans' Affairs, Natural Resources, Armed Services, Homeland Security, Financial Services, Transportation and Infrastructure, and Foreign Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker. No meetings are scheduled in the available calendar data, and no hearing or markup is established by the record.

S 5066 US Senate Last action
July 22, 2026 MixedLong shot

Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026

Sector-wide

Alex Padilla (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal would launch a sweeping health equity agenda, expanding Medicare, Medicaid, and other public health coverage with new demographic data collection, language access services, dental care, HIV prevention, behavioral health, and maternal health programs, while creating large grant, scholarship, and workforce programs aimed at underserved and minority communities. It would also expand food and nutrition assistance such as universal free school meals, SNAP, diaper aid, and farmers market funding, impose new obligations on employers, insurers, pharmacies, and hospitals, and roll back executive orders on government efficiency and DEI-related policy while restoring related offices and funding.
Where it stands: S5066, the Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2026, was read twice and referred to the Senate Committee on Finance on July 22, 2026, with the sponsor's introductory remarks printed in the Record, and it now sits at the committee stage, the first choke point in the Senate where most bills stop.

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HR 9606 US House Last action
July 15, 2026 May reachLong shotNew text pending

Less Bureaucracy, Better Child Care for Student Parents Act

Robert F. Onder, Jr. (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would move the federal program that funds campus child care for low-income student parents, set up under section 419N of the Higher Education Act, from the Department of Education to the Department of Health and Human Services, along with its staff, funds, contracts, and records. It would preserve all existing grants, contracts, rules, and pending applications during the switch, take effect six months after enactment with transfers allowed to begin immediately, and cap federal staffing so the move creates no net increase in federal employees. This bill moves federal campus child care grants for low-income student parents from the Education Department to HHS, keeping existing grant funding, contracts, and applications running unchanged for child care providers serving those students.
Where it stands: On July 15, 2026 the House Committee on Education and Workforce, at its markup, ordered H.R. 9606 reported (amended) on a 20 to 16 vote. The record shows no written report filed and no calendar placement.

HR 10704 US House Last action
October 1, 2026 May reachLong shot

Direct CARE Opportunity Act of 2026

Robert C. "Bobby" Scott (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would create a grant program run by the Labor Department in coordination with Health and Human Services, awarding grants lasting at least 5 years to states, tribes, labor organizations, nonprofits, and other eligible entities to fund recruitment, retention, training, wage supports, and career advancement strategies for direct care workers. It would appropriate $300 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032 for the grants, plus $6 million per year for technical assistance to help grantees and support the direct care workforce, with up to 2 percent of grant funds reserved for that assistance. This bill funds grants to social assistance providers and child care organizations that employ direct care workers, paying for recruitment, retention, training, wage supports, and services like child care and transportation, with free training for workers.
Where it stands: HR10704 was referred on October 1, 2026 to the Committee on Education and Workforce and in addition to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker. The bill sits at the start of the House committee stage: each committee's chair decides whether a hearing or markup is ever noticed, and no such meeting is scheduled in available calendar data.

HR 10407 US House Last action
September 16, 2026 May reachLong shot

Childcare Cost Relief Act of 2026

James C. Moylan (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant program so that, in any fiscal year when program funding grows, 2 percent of the year-over-year increase is set aside and distributed as extra grants to states and territories the Secretary identifies as having disproportionately high child care costs relative to median income. It would also require the Secretary to report to Congress each year on each state and territory's median child care cost as a share of income, its child care workforce adequacy, and the list of affected states and territories. This bill sends each State and territory an amount equal to 2 percent of Child Care and Development Block Grant funding increases to support child care providers serving subsidized families, and requires a report assessing whether the child care workforce meets child care needs.
Where it stands: HR 10407 was referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce on September 16, 2026 and has had no further dated action since. The bill now sits at committee stage, where the chair decides whether a hearing or a markup is ever noticed.

HR 7721 US House Last action
April 6, 2026 May reachLong shot

CRACKDOWN Act of 2026

Glenn Grothman (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require states with an improper payment rate exceeding 5 percent in the Child Care and Development Block Grant program to submit a corrective action plan to the federal government. If a state fails to reduce this rate below 5 percent for two consecutive years, it would become ineligible to receive further funds unless it demonstrates it will correct the issue or make significant progress. This bill could cut federal child care subsidy funds to states with high improper payment rates, leaving child care providers in those states with reduced payments and families with less help paying for care.
Where it stands: The CRACKDOWN Act of 2026 was reported by the House Committee on Education and Workforce on April 6, 2026, and placed on the Union Calendar. A CBO cost estimate was filed on May 13, 2026.

HR 7722 US House Last action
April 6, 2026 May reachLong shot

Child Care Integrity Monitoring Act of 2026

Robert F. Onder, Jr. (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This bill would require the federal government to conduct comprehensive reviews of state child care programs every three years. States that show repeated failures or audit issues would be designated as high risk and subjected to additional monitoring. This bill requires federal reviews of state child care programs every three years and adds monitoring for high-risk states, meaning child care providers in those states could face increased oversight and administrative demands from their state agencies.
Where it stands: H.R. 7722 was reported by the House Committee on Education and Workforce on April 6, 2026, and placed on the Union Calendar, with a CBO cost estimate filed on April 17, 2026.

HR 7720 US House Last action
April 6, 2026 May reachLong shot

Child Care Payment Integrity and Fraud Accountability Act of 2026

Mark B. Messmer (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal requires states to include fraudulent payments in their accounting of overpayments under the Child Care and Development Block Grant. It also mandates that states submit an annual report to the Secretary of Health and Human Services detailing the dollar and percentage amounts of improper payments, broken down by specific categories such as verified fraud and system errors. This bill requires states to count fraudulent child care payments as overpayments under the Child Care and Development Block Grant and report them annually to federal officials, which could bring child care providers heightened scrutiny and repayment demands.
Where it stands: The bill was reported by the House Committee on Education and Workforce on April 6, 2026, and placed on the Union Calendar as Calendar No. 506.

HR 7724 US House Last action
April 6, 2026 May reachLong shot

No Waivers for Fraud Act of 2026

Joe Wilson (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This legislation removes the federal government's authority to waive sanctions imposed on states that fail to comply with child care block grant rules. It ensures that penalties for noncompliant states remain in effect without exception. This bill affects child care providers indirectly by removing federal waiver authority for sanctions on states that fail to comply with child care block grant rules, so noncompliant states face unremitting penalties that can restrict providers' funding.
Where it stands: The House Committee on Education and Workforce reported the bill on April 6, 2026, and placed it on the Union Calendar No. 510. A Rules Committee business meeting occurred on June 2, 2026, but no floor action is currently scheduled.

S 3211 US Senate Last action
September 14, 2026 May reachLong shot

Recognizing the Role of Direct Support Professionals Act

Margaret Wood Hassan (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require the Office of Management and Budget to consider creating a separate occupational code for direct support professionals in the Standard Occupational Classification system as part of the system's next revision, and if OMB declines, it would have to report the reasons to Congress within 30 days of that revision. The measure states that no additional funds are authorized, so the change is limited to how federal statistical agencies categorize and count these workers, not how they are paid or regulated. This bill would have OMB consider creating a separate occupational code for direct support professionals, giving home- and community-based services providers better federal workforce data, though it authorizes no new funds.
Where it stands: The Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs took the bill up at a markup on August 6, 2026 and voted to order it reported, and on September 14, 2026 the bill was reported and placed on the Senate Legislative Calendar under General Orders as Calendar No. 567. The committee amendment adopted at the markup is not yet on file, so the amended text is pending while the analysis relies on the latest published print.

HR 7655 US House Last action
May 11, 2026 May reachLong shot

Support for Expectant and Parenting Foster Youth Act

Rudy Yakym III (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This proposal requires states to inform foster youth who are expecting a child or parenting about evidence-based home visiting services and allows states to use existing federal funds to provide tailored case management for these youth. The changes would take effect one year after the bill is signed into law. This bill directs states to connect expectant and parenting foster youth with evidence-based home visiting services and lets states fund tailored case management, creating demand for individual and family services providers.
Where it stands: The bill was reported by the House Committee on Ways and Means on May 11, 2026 and placed on the Union Calendar, making it eligible for floor consideration.

HR 7529 US House Last action
May 11, 2026 May reachLong shot

Fresh Starts for Foster Youth Act

Danny K. Davis (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would allow states to use John H. Chafee Foster Care Program funds for legal counseling access and require state case planning to address legal issues affecting current and former foster youth. These legal issues include housing, education, employment, family connections, and court records. This bill lets states spend Chafee foster care funds on legal counseling access and requires case planning to address foster youth legal issues, creating a new funding opportunity for social service organizations serving current and former foster youth.
Where it stands: H.R. 7529 was reported by the House Committee on Ways and Means on May 11, 2026, and placed on the Union Calendar, Calendar No. 557. The written report was filed on that date following the committee's markup vote on April 29, 2026.

HR 9930 US House Last action
July 23, 2026 May reachLong shot

Supporting Our Military Child Care Workforce Act

Brittany Pettersen (Democrat) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: This act requires the Secretary of Defense to submit annual reports to Congress on the progress of redesigning the compensation model for the Department of Defense child development program. The Secretary must also publish these reports on a publicly available website within 30 days of submitting them. This bill requires the Defense Department to report and publish annually on plans to raise pay for military child development program workers, giving child care providers and advocacy groups public visibility into compensation reforms.
Where it stands: The bill was referred to the House Committee on Armed Services on July 23, 2026. It is currently in the committee stage where the chair controls the scheduling of hearings or markups.

S 162 US Senate Last action
June 15, 2026 May reachLong shot

Recruiting Families Using Data Act of 2025

Chuck Grassley (Republican) · Sponsor of record · Official record ↗

What it does: The bill would require states to create family partnership plans that use data to improve the recruitment and retention of foster and adoptive families, including setting goals for kinship placements and reducing congregate care. It would also mandate that states collect annual data on foster family capacity and barriers to recruitment, which must be reported to Congress starting in fiscal year 2028. This bill requires states to create family partnership plans using data to recruit and retain foster and adoptive families, adding data collection and reporting work for foster care agencies while supporting their family recruitment and kinship placement efforts.
Where it stands: The Senate passed S162 with an amendment on June 11, 2026, and the bill is currently held at the desk in the House as of June 15, 2026. The companion HR579 remains referred to the Senate Committee on Finance and has not yet reached the floor.

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