[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 4418 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 4418
To increase the quality and supply of child care and lower child care
costs for families.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
July 15, 2025
Mr. Scott of Virginia (for himself, Ms. Lee of Pennsylvania, Mr. Davis
of Illinois, Ms. Brownley, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Fields, Ms. Norton, Ms.
Tlaib, Mrs. Ramirez, Ms. Pelosi, Mr. Thompson of Mississippi, Mr.
Jackson of Illinois, Ms. Stansbury, Ms. Salinas, Mrs. McIver, Ms.
Williams of Georgia, Mrs. McBath, Ms. Ansari, Mr. Swalwell, Ms. Moore
of Wisconsin, Mr. Castro of Texas, Mr. Frost, Mr. Carson, Ms. Castor of
Florida, Mr. Latimer, Ms. Clark of Massachusetts, Ms. Pingree, Mr.
Garcia of California, Ms. Goodlander, Ms. Scholten, Mr. Thanedar, Ms.
Crockett, Ms. Bonamici, Ms. Kelly of Illinois, Ms. Underwood, Mr.
Carter of Louisiana, Mr. Pocan, Mrs. McClain Delaney, Mr. Lieu, Ms.
McBride, Mr. Vargas, Ms. Leger Fernandez, Ms. McCollum, Mrs. Dingell,
Ms. Lois Frankel of Florida, Mr. Norcross, Ms. McClellan, Ms. McDonald
Rivet, Ms. Elfreth, Ms. DelBene, Ms. Dean of Pennsylvania, Mr.
McGarvey, Ms. Tokuda, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Moulton, Mr. Keating,
Ms. Sanchez, Ms. Chu, Mr. Menendez, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms. Simon, Ms.
Wilson of Florida, Mr. Smith of Washington, Ms. Stevens, Mr. Landsman,
Ms. Ross, Ms. DeLauro, Mr. Nadler, Mr. Evans of Pennsylvania, Mr.
Subramanyam, Mrs. Beatty, Mr. Gottheimer, Ms. Titus, Ms. Pettersen, Ms.
Budzinski, Mr. Magaziner, Ms. Sewell, Ms. Brown, Mr. Casten, Mr.
Garamendi, Mr. Raskin, Mr. Beyer, Ms. Davids of Kansas, and Mr. Amo)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To increase the quality and supply of child care and lower child care
costs for families.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,

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This Act may be cited as the ``Child Care for Working Families
Act''.

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3bae22c7da4c658caa595f24e1dad9478045ff2bd30226081b27d061858c1312

TITLE I

-CHILD CARE AND EARLY LEARNING PROGRAM

The purposes of this title are to make child care services more
accessible for families and to support the stability and quality of
eligible child care providers by--
(1) promoting the stability of the child care sector by
providing a source of stable funding to eligible child care
providers to help offset their operating expenses;
(2) supporting sustained and increased wages for early
childhood educators or other staff of eligible child care
providers, in order to stabilize and grow the child care
workforce;
(3) expanding the supply and capacity of eligible child
care providers to ensure working families have a range of high-
quality, affordable child care options, in a variety of
settings, that meet their unique needs; and
(4) supporting access to child care services for
communities facing a particular shortage of child care options,
including child care services for infants and toddlers, child
care services during nontraditional or extended hours, and
inclusive child care services for children with disabilities.

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TITLE II

-BUILDING AN AFFORDABLE SYSTEM FOR EARLY EDUCATION GRANTS

In this title:
(1) CCDBG terms.--The terms ``child care certificate'',
``child with a disability'', ``family child care provider'',
``lead agency'', ``Secretary'', and ``State'' have the meanings
given the terms in section 658P of the Child Care and
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n). The
terms ``Indian Tribe'' and ``Tribal organization'' have the
meanings given the terms ``Indian tribe'' and ``tribal
organization'' in section 658P of that Act.
(2) Eligible child care provider.--The term ``eligible
child care provider'' means--
(A) an eligible child care provider as defined in
section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block
Grant Act of 1990; and
(B) an eligible child care provider as defined in
title I.
(3) Infant or toddler.--The term ``infant or toddler''
means an individual who is less than 3 years of age.
(4) Infant or toddler with a disability.--The term ``infant
or toddler with a disability'' has the meaning given the term
in section 101(b).
(5) Provider type.--The term ``provider type'' means a type
that is--
(A) a center-based child care provider;
(B) a family child care provider; or
(C) another non-center-based child care provider.

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From the funds appropriated to carry out this title, the Secretary
shall reserve not more than 3 percent for the Federal administration of
grants described in section 204, which may include providing technical
assistance to the lead agencies.

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(a) In General.--From the amounts appropriated to carry out this
title that remain after the Secretary makes the reservation required
under section 203, and under the authority of section 658O of the Child
Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858m) and this
section, the Secretary shall award to each lead agency a BASE Grant,
without regard to the requirements in subparagraphs (C) and (E) of
section 658E(c)(3), and in section 658G, of that Act (42 U.S.C.
9858c(c)(3), 9858e). Such grant shall be made from an amount allotted
in accordance with section 658O of that Act (42 U.S.C. 9858m),
excluding paragraphs (3) through (5) of subsection (a) of that section.
(b) Payments for Indian Children.--In accordance with section 658O
of that Act, the Secretary may make BASE Grants to Indian Tribes or
Tribal organizations for the planning and carrying out of programs or
activities consistent with the objectives of this title.

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To be eligible to receive a grant under section 204, a lead agency
shall submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and including such information as the Secretary may reasonably
require, including--
(1) a description of the process the lead agency will
establish to award subgrant funds to eligible child care
providers under this title;
(2) a description of how the lead agency will, in
determining the subgrant amount for an eligible child care
provider under this title--
(A) ensure such subgrant is sufficient to support
the ongoing operations and long-term sustainability of
the eligible child care provider;
(B) account for the cost of providing high-quality
child care services, including--
(i) variations in the cost of child care
services related to geographic area, provider
type, size of provider, and age of child
served;
(ii) costs associated with providing care
during nontraditional or extended hours;
(iii) costs associated with serving
children with disabilities, including infants
and toddlers with disabilities; and
(iv) costs associated with meeting group
sizes and ratios necessary to support high-
quality and inclusive child care services,
including for infants and toddlers;
(C) account for the cost of attracting, training,
and retaining a qualified and skilled workforce, which
shall include at a minimum, supporting increased wages
for all staff of the provider, as described in section
209(5); and
(D) if the lead agency uses a formula for awarding
such a subgrant that is based on general cost
estimates, base such estimates on the provider's
enrollment capacity rather than attendance;
(3) a description of how the lead agency will work with the
eligible child care providers to improve the quality of child
care services, which may include improving the State's tiered
system for recognizing and supporting the quality of child care
services described in section 101(f)(3)(B); and
(4) a description of how the lead agency will use funds
reserved under section 207(a)(1) to conduct widespread outreach
and provide technical assistance to eligible child care
providers (including family child care providers, providers
with limited administrative capacity, and providers whose
primary language is not English), either directly or through
child care resource and referral organizations, staffed family
child care networks, or local governments, to ensure such
providers are aware of the subgrants available under this title
and are able to apply for and manage the resources provided
through such subgrants.

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Activities funded under a grant made for a State under section 204
may be administered--
(1) directly by the State's lead agency; or
(2) under a grant or contract to provide such
administration, through another State government agency, a
local or regional child care resource and referral
organization, a community development financial institution,
another nonprofit intermediary with experience supporting child
care providers, or another appropriate entity.

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(a) In General.--A lead agency for a State that receives a BASE
Grant pursuant to section 204 shall--
(1) reserve not more than 10 percent of the grant funds to
administer subgrants, provide technical assistance and support
to enable all provider types to apply for, access, and manage
the resources provided through such subgrants and other sources
of public financial assistance available for the objectives of
this title, publicize the availability of the subgrants, and
carry out activities to increase the supply of child care
services, under this title; and
(2) with the remaining grant funds, make subgrants to
eligible child care providers to carry out the activities
described in section 210.
(b) Subgrant Period.--The lead agency shall make the subgrants for
a period of 5 years.
(c) Payment Practices.--The lead agency shall make the subgrant
payments in advance, with necessary adjustments on account of
overpayments or underpayments.

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(a) In General.--In making subgrants under this title, the lead
agency shall give priority to eligible child care providers that--
(1) provide child care services during nontraditional or
extended hours;
(2) provide child care services to infants and toddlers;
(3) provide child care services to dual language learners,
children with disabilities, children experiencing homelessness,
children in foster care, or children from low-income families;
(4) provide child care services to children whose families
received subsidies under the Child Care and Development Block
Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.) or under title I, as
applicable, for the child care services;
(5) operate in communities, including communities with a
high proportion of children in households with incomes below
the poverty line and rural communities, with a low supply of
child care services; or
(6) are small business concerns, as defined in section 3 of
the Small Business Act (15 U.S.C. 632), or nonprofit
organizations that are described in section 501(c)(3) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from taxation under
section 501(a) of such Code.
(b) Definition.--In this section, the term ``poverty line'' means
the poverty line defined and revised as described in section 673 of the
Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902).

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To be qualified to receive a subgrant under this title, an eligible
child care provider shall submit to the corresponding lead agency, at
such time and in such manner as the lead agency may reasonably require,
an application containing each of the following:
(1) A description of how the eligible child care provider
meets the priority requirements in section 208, if applicable.
(2) An assurance that the eligible child care provider
accepts child care subsidies in the form of certificates,
grants, or contracts as authorized under the Child Care
Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.),
or child care subsidies in the form of certificates, grants, or
contracts under title I, as an acceptable form of payment,
regardless of whether children who are the beneficiaries of the
child care subsidies are actually enrolled.
(3) An assurance that the eligible child care provider, for
the duration of the period of the grant under section 204, will
be open and available to serve children unless temporarily
closed due to or for a building safety issue or maintenance as
a result of a building safety issue, widespread illness or a
staff shortage, a routine closure or break due to a holiday or
scheduled staff professional development session, or a state of
emergency, major disaster, or emergency within the meaning of
section 658E(c)(2)(U) of the Child Care Development Block Grant
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858c(c)(2)(U)).
(4) A description of how the eligible child care provider
will use funds provided under the subgrant to improve the
quality of child care services and operations, such as through
participation in a State's tiered system for recognizing and
supporting the quality of child care services.
(5) A description of how the eligible child care provider
will pay staff increased compensation over the course of the
grant period including, at a minimum, providing--
(A) annual cost-of-living adjustments; and
(B) graduated pay increases based on a staff
member's credentials, experience, and job
responsibilities, including, for a provider with 15 or
more staff, a wage ladder based on the credentials,
experience, and responsibilities.

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(a) In General.--An eligible child care provider that receives a
subgrant under this title--
(1) shall use at least 70 percent of subgrant funds for
child care personnel costs, including--
(A) wages (including salaries), or similar
compensation for a person who is a staff member or any
sole proprietor or independent contractor, aligned with
wage standards; and
(B)(i) annual cost-of-living adjustments for staff;
and
(ii) graduated pay increases based on a staff
member's credentials, experience, and job
responsibilities, including, for a provider with 15 or
more staff, a wage ladder based on the credentials,
experience, and responsibilities; and
(2) may use the subgrant funds for costs of activities
related to the provider's program, consisting of--
(A) professional development and instructional
coaching for staff involved in the direct education and
care of children, and providing support for planning
and instruction;
(B) providing recruitment and retention bonuses for
staff;
(C) providing staff benefits, such as health
insurance, paid leave (including parental, family,
medical, sick, and bereavement leave, and including
personal leave or vacation), and funds for retirement
accounts;
(D) hiring staff, including conducting background
checks, and including hiring staff to reduce staff-to-
child ratios or substitute staff to support use of paid
leave;
(E) paying for occupancy, including making payments
for--
(i) rent (including rent under a lease), or
on any mortgage obligation; and
(ii) insurance, utilities, and maintenance;
(F) obtaining equipment, repairs, supplies,
services, and training necessary to ensure compliance
with applicable health, safety, educational, and
quality requirements and to support high-quality,
developmentally appropriate child care services, and
achieving licensure as a child care provider;
(G) providing comprehensive services to support the
health, including mental health, and well-being, of
children and families from underserved populations, as
described in section 101(f)(3)(I);
(H) improving the quality of child care services in
a way that is appropriate for child development by
provider type involved, and for the age group of the
children served; and
(I) providing inclusive and developmentally
appropriate care for children with disabilities,
including implementing reasonable accommodations,
making space more accessible, and providing additional
staffing and coordinating early intervention services
provided through the provider's program with early
intervention services provided through other early
childhood programs.
(b) Special Rule for States Participating in Title I Program.--
Notwithstanding subsection (a) and subject to the approval of the
Secretary, a lead agency of a State participating in the program
established in title I may make alternative uses of the funds received
through a grant made under section 204, if such funds support--
(1) the provision of high-quality, affordable child care
services, in accordance with title I;
(2) compensation for early childhood educators and staff of
child care programs, of eligible child care providers, that
meet the requirements of title I; or
(3) initiatives to expand the supply of eligible child care
providers or improve the quality of child care services
provided by eligible child care providers.
(c) Rule.--For purposes of subsection (a), the terms ``staff'' and
``staff member'' include a person described in subsection (a)(1)(A).

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(a) Lead Agency Reports.--Not later than 1 year after a lead agency
has received a grant under section 204 and annually thereafter, the
lead agency shall submit to the Secretary, in such manner and
containing such information as the Secretary may require, a report that
includes, at a minimum--
(1) the total number of eligible child care providers who
applied for a subgrant under this title relative to the total
number of eligible child care providers in the State,
disaggregated by provider type, race and ethnicity of provider,
and geographic area;
(2) the total number of eligible child care providers that
received such a subgrant (referred to in this section as a
``subgrant recipient'') relative to the total number of
eligible child care providers in the State, disaggregated by
provider type, race and ethnicity of provider, and geographic
area;
(3) information stating the lead agency's methodology for
determining the amounts of subgrants under section 207(a)(2);
(4) the average and range of the subgrant amounts made
available by the lead agency, disaggregated by provider type,
race and ethnicity of provider, and geographic area;
(5) the percentages, of the subgrant recipients, that--
(A) provided child care services during
nontraditional or extended hours;
(B) served dual language learners, children with
disabilities, children experiencing homelessness,
children in foster care, children from low-income
families, or infants and toddlers;
(C) served children whose families received
subsidies under the Child Care and Development Block
Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.) or under
title I, as applicable, for the child care services;
(D) operated in communities described in section
208(a)(5); and
(E) are concerns or organizations described in
section 208(a)(6);
(6) the enrollment capacity of and average monthly
attendance of children (by age) served by the subgrant
recipients;
(7) the average family tuition for a subgrant recipient,
disaggregated by--
(A) age of the child served; and
(B) provider type;
(8) the average wages (including salaries), or similar
compensation specified in section 210(a)(1)(A) of staff of a
subgrant recipient, disaggregated by provider type;
(9) the percentages of subgrant recipients, for each of the
provider types;
(10) the percentage of subgrant recipients that have staff
members that are represented by labor organizations;
(11) information about how the subgrant recipients used the
funds received under such a subgrant, including how funds were
used for child care personnel costs;
(12) information about how the lead agency used funds
reserved under section 207(a)(1);
(13) a description of how the lead agency publicized the
availability of the subgrants, including through making
applications and materials available in multiple languages, and
provided technical assistance and support to ensure all
provider types were able to apply for and access the subgrants;
and
(14)(A) information about subgrant recipients that have
corporate or other business relationships across multiple
locations and serve more than 5,000 children in the year
covered by the report; and
(B) the percentage of all children served by subgrant
recipients that are subgrant recipients described in
subparagraph (A).
(b) Reports to Congress.--The Secretary shall--
(1) submit an annual report to the Committee on Health,
Education, Labor, and Pensions and the Committee on
Appropriations of the Senate and the Committee on Education and
Workforce and the Committee on Appropriations of the House of
Representatives, summarizing the findings from the reports
received under subsection (a); and
(2) make such report publicly available on the website of
the Department of Health and Human Services.

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Amounts made available to carry out this title shall be used to
supplement and not supplant other Federal, State, and local public
funds expended to provide child care services for eligible individuals.

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In addition to amounts otherwise available, there is appropriated
to the Department of Health and Human Services, out of any money in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated to carry out this title,
$9,000,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2026 through 2031.

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In this section:
(1) Child experiencing homelessness.--The term ``child
experiencing homelessness'' means an individual who is a
homeless child or youth under section 725 of the McKinney-Vento
Homeless Assistance Act (42 U.S.C. 11434a).
(2) 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).
(3) Comprehensive services.--The term ``comprehensive
services'' means services that are provided to children and
their families, and that are health, educational, nutritional,
social, and other services that are determined, based on family
needs assessments, to be necessary, within the meaning of
section 636 of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831).
(4) Dual language learner.--The term ``dual language
learner'' means a child who is learning 2 or more languages at
the same time, or a child who is learning a second language
while continuing to develop the child's first language.
(5) Eligible child.--The term ``eligible child'' means a
child who is age 3 or 4, on the date established by the
applicable local educational agency for kindergarten entry.
(6) Eligible provider.--The term ``eligible provider''
means--
(A) a local educational agency, acting alone or in
a consortium or in collaboration with an educational
service agency (as defined in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 7801)), that is licensed by the State or meets
comparable health and safety standards;
(B) a Head Start agency or delegate agency funded
under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.);
(C) a licensed center-based child care provider,
licensed family child care provider, or network of
licensed family child care providers; or
(D) a consortium of entities described in any of
subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C).
(7) Head start agency.--The term ``Head Start agency'', as
used in paragraph (6)(B), or section 303(e)(4) or 306(a), means
an entity designated as a Head Start agency under section
641(a)(1) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836(a)(1)) or as an
Early Head Start agency (by receiving a grant) under section
645A(a) of such Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a(a)).
(8) Indian tribe.--The term ``Indian Tribe'' has the
meaning given the term in section 4 of the Indian Self-
Determination and Education Assistance Act (25 U.S.C. 5304).
(9) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational
agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 8101 of the
Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
7801).
(10) Poverty line.--The term ``poverty line'' means the
poverty line defined and revised as described in section 673 of
the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902).
(11) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary
of Health and Human Services.
(12) State.--The term ``State'' means each of the several
States and the District of Columbia.
(13) Territory.--The term ``territory'' means each of the
Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, the United States Virgin Islands,
Guam, American Samoa, and the Commonwealth of the Northern
Mariana Islands.
(14) Tribal organization.--The term ``Tribal organization''
has the meaning given the term ``tribal organization'' in
section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act
of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n).

13ae5d1da3b44d2fdb0cf061009e11fea6d7d1bed6b2836def3954d9f8a77724

TITLE III

-UNIVERSAL PRESCHOOL

(a) Appropriations for States.--In addition to amounts otherwise
available, there is appropriated to the Department of Health and Human
Services, out of any money in the Treasury not otherwise appropriated,
such sums as may be necessary for each of fiscal years 2026 through
2031, for payments to States, for carrying out this title (except
provisions and activities covered by subsection (b)).
(b) Additional Appropriations.--In addition to amounts otherwise
available, there is appropriated to the Department of Health and Human
Services for fiscal year 2026, out of any money in the Treasury not
otherwise appropriated--
(1) $2,500,000,000, to remain available until September 30,
2031, for carrying out payments to Indian Tribes and Tribal
organizations for activities described in this title;
(2) $1,250,000,000, to remain available until September 30,
2031, for carrying out payments to the territories, to be
distributed among the territories on the basis of their
relative need, as determined by the Secretary in accordance
with the objectives of this title, for activities described in
this title;
(3) $300,000,000, to remain available until September 30,
2031, for carrying out payments to eligible local entities that
serve children in families who are engaged in migrant or
seasonal agricultural labor, for activities described in this
title;
(4) $995,000,000, to remain available until September 30,
2031, for carrying out Federal activities to support the
activities funded under this title, including administration,
monitoring, technical assistance, and research, in fiscal years
2026 through 2031; and
(5) $20,000,000,000, to remain available until September
30, 2031, to carry out the program of grants to localities
described in subsections (b) and (c) of section 306.

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(a) In General.--A State that has submitted, and had approved by
the Secretary in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, the
State plan described in subsection (e) is entitled to a payment under
this section.
(b) Payments for Fiscal Years 2026 Through 2031.--
(1) Preschool services.--For each of fiscal years 2026
through 2031, the Secretary shall pay to each State with an
approved State plan under subsection (e), an amount for that
year equal to--
(A) 90 percent of the State's expenditures in the
year for preschool services provided under section 304,
for fiscal year 2026;
(B) 90 percent of the State's expenditures in the
year for such preschool services, for fiscal year 2027;
(C) 80 percent of the State's expenditures in the
year for such preschool services, for fiscal year 2028;
(D) 75 percent of the State's expenditures in the
year for such preschool services, for fiscal year 2029;
(E) 65 percent of the State's expenditures in the
year for such preschool services, for fiscal year 2030;
and
(F) 60 percent of the State's expenditures in the
year for such preschool services, for fiscal year 2031.
(2) State activities.--The Secretary shall pay to each
State with an approved State plan under subsection (e) an
amount for a fiscal year equal to 50 percent of the amount of
the State's expenditures for the activities described in
subsection (c), and system-wide activities similar to those
described in subsection (c) for the State's entire birth
through 5 year old early childhood system, except that in no
case shall a payment for a fiscal year under this paragraph
exceed the amount equal to 10 percent of the State's
expenditures described in paragraph (1) for such fiscal year.
(3) Non-federal share.--The remainder of the cost paid by
the State for preschool services, that is not provided under
paragraph (1), shall be considered the non-Federal share of the
cost of those services. The remainder of the cost paid by the
State for State activities, that is not provided under
paragraph (2), shall be considered the non-Federal share of the
cost of those activities.
(4) Advance payment; retrospective adjustment.--The
Secretary shall make a payment under paragraph (1) or (2) for a
year on the basis of advance estimates of expenditures
submitted by the State and such other investigation as the
Secretary may find necessary, and shall reduce or increase the
payment as necessary to adjust for any overpayment or
underpayment for a previous year.
(c) State Activities.--A State that receives a payment under
subsection (b) shall carry out all of the following activities:
(1) State administration of the State preschool program
described in this section.
(2) Supporting a continuous quality improvement system for
providers of preschool services participating, or seeking to
participate, in the State preschool program, through the use of
data, research, monitoring, training, technical assistance,
professional development, and coaching.
(3) Providing outreach and enrollment support for families
of eligible children.
(4) Supporting data systems building to ensure that the
State has the capacity to manage and implement data systems
that allow data sharing among and between preschools,
elementary schools, and secondary schools.
(5) Supporting staff of eligible providers through
professional development and coaching, and supporting staff in
pursuing credentials and degrees, including baccalaureate
degrees.
(6) Supporting activities that ensure access to inclusive
preschool programs for children with disabilities.
(7) Providing age-appropriate transportation services for
children, which at a minimum shall include transportation
services for children experiencing homelessness and children in
foster care.
(8) Conducting or updating a statewide needs assessment of
access to high-quality preschool services.
(d) Lead Agency.--The Governor of a State desiring for the State to
receive a payment under this section shall designate a lead agency
(such as a State agency or joint interagency office) for the
administration of the State's preschool program under this section.
(e) State Plan.--In order to be eligible for payments under this
section, the Governor of a State shall submit a State plan to the
Secretary for approval by the Secretary, in collaboration with the
Secretary of Education, at such time, in such manner, and containing
such information as the Secretary shall by rule require, that includes
a plan for achieving universal, high-quality, free, inclusive, and
mixed-delivery preschool services. Such plan shall include, at a
minimum, each of the following:
(1) A certification that--
(A) the State has in place, or will have in place
no later than 1 year after the State first receives
funding under this section, developmentally
appropriate, evidence-based preschool education
standards that, at a minimum, are as rigorous as the
standards specified in subparagraph (B) of section
641A(a)(1) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9836a(a)(1)) and include program standards for class
sizes and ratios; and
(B) the State will coordinate such standards with
other early learning standards in the State.
(2) An assurance that the State will ensure--
(A) all preschool services in the State funded
under this section will-- (i) be universally available
to all children in the State without any additional
eligibility requirements; and
(ii) be high-quality, free, and inclusive;
and
(B) that the local preschool programs in the State
funded under this section will--
(i) by not later than 18 months after the
program receives such funding, meet the State's
preschool education standards described in
paragraph (1);
(ii) offer programming that meets the
duration requirements of at least 1,020 annual
hours;
(iii) adopt policies and practices to
conduct outreach and provide expedited
enrollment, including prioritization, to--
(I) children experiencing
homelessness (which, in the case of a
child attending a program provided by
an eligible provider described in
section 301(6)(A), shall include
immediate enrollment for the child);
(II) children in foster care or
kinship care;
(III) children in families who are
engaged in migrant or seasonal
agricultural labor;
(IV) children with disabilities,
including eligible children who are
served under part C of the Individuals
with Disabilities Education Act (20
U.S.C. 1431 et seq.); and
(V) dual language learners;
(iv) provide for salaries, and set
schedules for salaries, for staff of providers
in the State preschool program, including staff
serving infants and toddlers employed by the
same provider, that are equivalent to salaries
of elementary school staff with similar
credentials and experience;
(v) at a minimum, provide a living wage for
all staff of such providers; and
(vi) require educational qualifications for
teachers in the preschool program including, at
a minimum, requiring that lead teachers in the
preschool program have a baccalaureate degree
in early childhood education or a related field
by not later than 6 years after the date on
which the State first receives funds under this
section, except that--
(I) subject to subclause (II), the
requirements under this clause shall
not apply to individuals who were
employed by an eligible provider or
early education program for a
cumulative 3 of the 5 years immediately
preceding the date of enactment of this
Act and have the necessary content
knowledge and teaching skills for early
childhood educators, as demonstrated
through measures determined by the
State; and
(II) nothing in this section shall
require the State to lessen State
requirements for educational
qualifications, in existence on the
date of enactment of this Act, to serve
as a teacher in a State preschool
program.
(3) For States with existing publicly funded State
preschool programs (as of the date of submission of the State
plan), a description of how the State plans to use funding
provided under this section to ensure that such existing
programs in the State meet the requirements of this title for a
State preschool program.
(4) A description of how the State, in establishing and
operating the State preschool program supported under this
section, will--
(A) support a mixed-delivery system for any new
slots funded under this section, including by
facilitating the participation of Head Start programs
and programs offered by licensed child care providers;
(B) ensure the State preschool program does not
disrupt the stability of infant and toddler child care
throughout the State;
(C) ensure adequate consultation with the State
Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care
designated or established in section 642B(b)(1)(A)(i)
of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837b(b)(1)(A)(i)) in
the development of its plan, including consultation in
how the State intends to distribute slots under
subparagraph (E);
(D) partner with Head Start agencies to ensure the
full utilization of Head Start programs within the
State; and
(E) distribute new preschool slots and resources
equitably among child care (including family child
care) providers, Head Start agencies, and schools
within the State.
(5) A certification that the State, in operating the
program described in this section for a fiscal year--
(A) will not reduce the total preschool slots
provided in State-funded preschool programs from the
number of such slots in the previous fiscal year; or
(B) if the number of eligible children identified
in the State declines from the previous fiscal year,
will maintain at least the previous year's ratio of the
total preschool slots described in subparagraph (A) to
eligible children so identified.
(6) An assurance that the State will use funding provided
under this section to ensure children with disabilities have
access to and participate in inclusive preschool programs
consistent with provisions in the Individuals with Disabilities
Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1400 et seq.), and a description of
how the State will collaborate with entities carrying out
programs under section 619 or part C of the Individuals with
Disabilities Education Act (20 U.S.C. 1419, 1431 et seq.), to
support inclusive preschool programs.
(7) 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 in the State preschool program described in this
section.
(8) An assurance that the State will coordinate services
provided under this title with services and supports provided
under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990
(42 U.S.C. 9857 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 (Public Law 114-95), 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 under section 511 of the Social Security Act
(42 U.S.C. 711).
(9) A certification that the State will support the
continuous quality improvement of programs providing preschool
services under this title, including support through technical
assistance, monitoring, and research.
(10) A certification that the State will ensure a highly
qualified early childhood workforce to support the requirements
of this title.
(11) 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)), with respect to funding and assessments under
this title.
(12) A certification that subgrant and contract amounts
provided as described in section 304 will be sufficient to
enable eligible providers to meet the requirements of this
title, and will provide for increased payment amounts based on
the criteria described in clauses (iv) and (v) of paragraph
(2)(B).
(13) An agreement to provide to the Secretary such periodic
reports, providing a detailed accounting of the uses of funding
received under this section, as the Secretary may require for
the administration of this section.
(f) Duration of the Plan.--Each State plan shall remain in effect
for a period of not more than 3 years. Amendments to the State plan
shall remain in effect for the duration of the plan.

cc9465c9037505e01f50508a15eed775eb661a5af3209a85b6fc835655599dc7

(a) Subgrants and Contracts.--
(1) In general.--A State that receives a payment under
section 303(b) for a fiscal year shall use amounts provided
through the payment to pay the costs of subgrants to, or
contracts with, eligible providers to operate universal, high-
quality, free, and inclusive preschool programs (which State-
funded programs may be referred to in this section as ``local
preschool programs'') through the State preschool program in
accordance with subsection (c). A State shall reduce or
increase the amounts provided under such subgrants or contracts
if needed to adjust for any overpayment or underpayment
described in section 303(b)(4).
(2) Amount.--A State shall award a subgrant or contract
under this section in a sufficient amount to enable the
eligible provider to operate a local preschool program that
meets the requirements of section 303(e)(2), which amount shall
reflect variations in the cost of preschool services by
geographic area, type of provider, and age of child, and the
additional costs associated with providing inclusive preschool
services for children with disabilities.
(3) Duration.--The State shall award a subgrant or contract
under this section for a period of not less than 3 years,
unless the subgrant or contract is terminated or suspended, or
the subgrant period is reduced, for cause.
(b) Enhanced Payments for Comprehensive Services.--In awarding
subgrants or contracts under this subsection and in addition to meeting
the requirements of subsection (a)(2), the State shall award subgrants
or contracts with enhanced payments to eligible providers that offer
local preschool programs funded under this section to a high percentage
of low-income children to support comprehensive services.
(c) Establishing and Expanding Universal Preschool Programs.--
(1) Establishing and expanding universal preschool programs
in high-need communities.--In awarding subgrants or contracts
under this section, the State shall first prioritize
establishing and expanding universal local preschool programs
within and across high-need communities by awarding subgrants
or contracts to eligible providers operating within and across,
or with capacity to operate within and across, such high-need
communities. The State shall--
(A) use a research-based methodology approved by
the Secretary to identify such high-need communities,
as determined by--
(i) the rate of poverty in the community;
(ii) rates of access to high-quality
preschool within the community; and
(iii) other indicators of community need as
required by the Secretary; and
(B) distribute funding for preschool services under
this section within such a high-need community so that
a majority of children in the community are offered
such preschool services before the State establishes
and expands preschool services in communities with
lower levels of need.
(2) Use of funds.--Subgrants or contracts awarded under
paragraph (1) shall be used to enroll and serve children in
such a local preschool program involved, including by paying
the costs--
(A) of personnel (including classroom and
administrative personnel), including compensation
(including benefits);
(B) associated with implementing the State's
preschool standards, providing curriculum supports, and
meeting early learning and development standards;
(C) of professional development, teacher supports,
and training;
(D) of implementing and meeting developmentally
appropriate health and safety standards (including
licensure, where applicable), teacher to child ratios,
and group size maximums;
(E) of materials, equipment, and supplies; and
(F) of rent or a mortgage, utilities, building
security, indoor and outdoor maintenance, and
insurance.
(d) Establishing and Expanding Universal Preschool Programs in
Additional Communities.--Once a State that receives a payment under
section 303(b) meets the requirements of subsection (c) with respect to
establishing and expanding local preschool programs within and across
high-need communities, the State shall use funds from such payment to
enroll and serve children in local preschool programs, as described in
such subsection, in additional communities in accordance with the
metrics described in subsection (c)(1)(A). Such funds shall be used for
the activities described in subparagraphs (A) through (F) of subsection
(c)(2).

e7130ce422719cb28aaa0d1239343df77fa1ab10f83dfe310a45dc5f3b7a9fb3

AND TERRITORIES.
(a) Indian Tribes and Tribal Organizations.--
(1) In general.--For each of fiscal years 2026 through
2031, from the amount appropriated for Indian Tribes and Tribal
organizations under section 302(b)(1), the Secretary shall make
payments to Indian Tribes and Tribal organizations with an
application approved under paragraph (2), and the Tribes and
Tribal organizations shall be entitled to such payments for the
purpose of carrying out the preschool program described in this
title, consistent, to the extent practicable as determined by
the Secretary, with the requirements applicable to States.
(2) Applications.--An Indian Tribe or Tribal organization
seeking a payment under this subsection shall submit an
application to the Secretary at such time, in such manner, and
containing such information as the Secretary may specify.
(b) Territories.--
(1) In general.--For each of fiscal years 2026 through
2031, from the amount appropriated for territories under
section 302(b)(2), the Secretary shall make payments to the
territories with an application approved under paragraph (2),
and the territories shall be entitled to such payments, for the
purpose of carrying out the preschool program described in this
title, consistent, to the extent practicable as determined by
the Secretary, with the requirements applicable to States.
(2) Applications.--A territory seeking a payment under this
subsection shall submit an application to the Secretary at such
time, in such manner, and containing such information as the
Secretary may specify.
(c) Lead Agency.--The head of an Indian Tribe or territory desiring
for the Indian Tribe or a related Tribal organization, or territory, to
receive a payment under this section shall designate a lead agency
(such as a tribal or territorial agency or joint interagency office)
for the administration of the preschool program of the Indian Tribe or
territory, under this section.

81ac4c77ae4d925177a62990d1efd557504e26f20cd526a87ec9086d57998dfb

NONPARTICIPATING STATES.
(a) Eligible Locality Defined.--In this section, the term
``eligible locality'' means a city, county, or other unit of general
local government, a local educational agency, or a Head Start agency.
(b) Grants to Localities.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary, in consultation with the
Secretary of Education, shall use funds reserved in section
302(b)(5) to award local universal preschool grants, as
determined by the Secretary of Health and Human Services, to
eligible localities located in States that have not received
payments under section 303. The Secretary shall award the
grants to eligible localities in a State from the allotment
made for that State under paragraph (2). The Secretary shall
specify the requirements for an eligible locality to conduct a
preschool program under this section which shall, to the
greatest extent practicable, be consistent with the
requirements applicable to States under this title, for a
universal, high-quality, free, and inclusive preschool program.
(2) Allotments.--For each State described in paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall allot for the State for a fiscal year an
amount that bears the same relationship to the funds
appropriated under section 302(b)(5) for the fiscal year as the
number of children from families with family incomes at or
below 200 percent of the poverty line, and who are under the
age of 6, in the State bears to the total number of all such
children in all States described in paragraph (1).
(3) Application.--To receive a grant from the corresponding
State allotment under this section, an eligible locality shall
submit an application to the Secretary at such time, in such
manner, and containing such information as the Secretary may
require. The requirements for the application shall, to the
greatest extent practicable, be consistent with the State plan
requirements applicable to States under this title.
(c) Head Start Expansion in Nonparticipating States.--
(1) In general.--The Secretary shall use funds appropriated
under section 302(b)(5), to make awards to Head Start agencies
in a State described in subsection (b)(1) to carry out the
purposes of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) in such
State.
(2) Rule.--For purposes of carrying out the Head Start Act
in circumstances not involving awards under this subsection,
funds awarded under paragraph (1) shall not be included in the
calculation of a ``base grant'' as such term is defined in
section 640(a)(7)(A) of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C.
9835(a)(7)(A)).
(3) Definition.--In this subsection, the term ``Head Start
agency'' means an entity designated or eligible to be
designated as a Head Start agency under section 641(a)(1) of
the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9836(a)(1)) or as an Early Head
Start agency (by receiving a grant) under section 645A(a) of
such Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a(a)).
(d) Priority for Serving Underserved Communities.--In making
determinations to award a grant or make an award under this section,
the Secretary shall give priority to entities serving communities with
a high percentage of children from families with family incomes at or
below 200 percent of the poverty line.

e7ee7ee8029c9e1a7808d7a21e5d620e32892603ee786ec61746f13cf943deca

For purposes of calculating the amount of the non-Federal share, as
determined under section 303(b)(3), relating to a payment under section
303(b), a State's non-Federal share--
(1) may be in cash or in-kind, fairly evaluated, including
facilities or property, equipment, or services;
(2) shall include any increase in amounts spent by the
State to expand half-day kindergarten programs in the State, as
of the day before the date of enactment of this Act, into full
day kindergarten programs;
(3) shall not include contributions being used as a non-
Federal share or match for another Federal award;
(4) shall be provided from State or local sources,
contributions from philanthropy or other private organizations,
or a combination of such sources and contributions; and
(5) shall count not more than 100 percent of the State's
current spending on prekindergarten programs, calculated as the
average amount of such spending by the State for fiscal years
2023, 2024, and 2025, toward the State's non-Federal share.

d08d12a504e74e844cfd37815d3cd0103fb468e46037927f5a183f26656639af

(a) In General.--If a State reduces its combined fiscal effort per
child for the State preschool program (whether a publicly funded
preschool program or a program under this title) or through State
supplemental assistance funds for Head Start programs assisted under
the Head Start Act, or through any State spending on early childhood
programs or preschool services for any fiscal year that a State
receives payments under section 303(b) (referred to in this paragraph
as the ``reduction fiscal year'') relative to the previous fiscal year,
the Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of Education, shall
reduce support for such State under such subsection by the same amount
as the total reduction in that State fiscal effort for such reduction
fiscal year.
(b) Waiver.--The Secretary, in collaboration with the Secretary of
Education, may waive the requirements of subsection (a) if--
(1) 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
(2) due to the circumstance of a State requiring reductions
in specific programs, including early childhood education
programs, the State presents to the Secretaries a justification
and demonstration why other programs could not be reduced and
how early childhood education programs in the State will not be
disproportionately harmed by such State reductions.

cfe28fc117586b98cac3b88ffcd77d42e5848cc0cd3c9122f18349addbbcfda3

Funds received under this title shall be used to supplement and not
supplant other Federal, State, and local public funds expended on
prekindergarten programs in the State on the date of enactment of this
Act, calculated as the average amount of such Federal, State, and local
public funds expended for fiscal years 2023, 2024, and 2025.

a1f207c5963e3508ece59b96b281bfba2922cd2e20a3292a732f5b36fe0057ae

The following provisions of law shall apply to any program or
activity that receives funds provided under this title:
(1) Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 (20 U.S.C.
1681 et seq.).
(2) Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 (42 U.S.C.
2000d et seq.).
(3) Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 (29
U.S.C. 794).
(4) The Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C.
12101 et seq.).

5ea1487be012eaca3724a8954c9faa4419df3073ed1a80cafd0a179adcc533fb

(a) Review of Compliance With Requirements and State Plan.--The
Secretary shall review and monitor compliance of States, territories,
Tribal entities, and local entities with this title and State
compliance with the State plan described in section 303(e), including a
process for progress updates on the requirements described in section
303(e)(1).
(b) Issuance of Rule.--The Secretary shall establish by rule
procedures for--
(1) receiving, processing, and determining the validity of
complaints or findings concerning any failure of a State to
comply with the State plan or any other requirement of this
title;
(2) notifying a State when the Secretary has determined
there has been a failure by the State to comply with a
requirement of this title; and
(3) imposing sanctions under this section for such a
failure.

9e2ede8b42b228e2aa8afe790bb4dc38fbe7b0237a4a9972764c8fa8b0063f3d

(a) In General.--Each State that receives a payment under section
303 shall prepare an annual report, in such manner and containing such
information as the Secretary of Health and Human Services may
reasonably require.
(b) Contents.--A report prepared under subparagraph (a) shall
contain, at a minimum--
(1) a description of the manner in which the State has used
the funds made available through the payment and a report of
the expenditures made with the funds;
(2) a summary of the State's progress toward providing
access to high-quality preschool programs for eligible
children;
(3) 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;
(4) 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--
(A) for a full day; and
(B) at no cost to families;
(5) data on the kindergarten readiness of children across
the State;
(6) data on recruitment and retention of early childhood
staff disaggregated by provider type, and age of children
served; and
(7) data regarding coordination efforts with other child
care and early childhood education programs, including those
funded under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.).

00352113f2c57b4e3cc5c574c8a9153da98168c6634d872a301239b60c4ff8ee

(a) In General.--The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9801 et seq.) 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:
``SEC. 657C. EXTENDED DURATION.
``(a) In General.--The Secretary shall make grants to Head Start
agencies (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;
``(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;
or
``(3) in the case of a Head Start agency (including an
Early Head Start agency) that already meets the full-day, full-
year services needs within its community, to enhance the
quality of Head Start services (including Early Head Start
services) provided to children served by such agency.
``(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) 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) Migrant and seasonal head start.--
``(i) 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.
``(ii) Priority.--In making grants to
applicants described in clause (i), the
Secretary shall give priority to a migrant and
seasonal Head Start agency operating for fewer
than 8 months per year.
``(B) Full-day, full-year head start agencies.--
``(i) In general.--A Head Start agency
(including an Early Head Start agency) that
certifies to the Secretary that it is meeting
the full-day, full-year need within its
community may apply for a grant to enhance the
quality of services provided to children
enrolled in its Head Start program (including
its Early Head Start program) in accordance
with subsection (c)(2).
``(ii) Application.--A Head Start agency
(including Early Head Start agency) that meets
the requirements of clause (i) shall submit an
application, which shall include--
``(I) the proposed uses of funds in
accordance with subsection (c)(2); and
``(II) how such uses of funds
relate to the community-wide strategic
planning and needs assessment described
under section 640(g)(1)(C).
``(c) Use of Funds.--
``(1) Extended duration.--A Head Start agency that meets
the requirements of paragraph (1) or (2) of subsection (a)
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) Enhancing program quality.--A Head Start agency
(including an Early Head Start agency) that meets the
requirements of subsection (a)(3) shall use funds for the
activities authorized under section 640(a)(5)(B).
``(3) Exception.--The Head Start agency shall not use the
grant funds to expand the number of children served in the Head
Start program (including the Early Head Start program) 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
$4,000,000,000 of the funds appropriated for fiscal
year 2026; and
``(B) for making grants for the activities
described in any of subparagraphs (B) through (D) of
subsection (c)(1), reserve--
``(i) $833,000,000 of the funds
appropriated for fiscal year 2026;
``(ii) $852,000,000 of the funds
appropriated for fiscal year 2027; and
``(iii) $872,000,000 of the funds
appropriated for fiscal year 2028.
``(2) Priority.--The Secretary shall prioritize Head Start
agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) that are
applying to use funds to carry out the activities described in
subsection (a)(1).
``(3) 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) $4,833,000,000 for fiscal year 2026;
``(2) $852,000,000 for fiscal year 2027; and
``(3) $872,000,000 for fiscal year 2028.
``(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).
``(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)''.

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TITLE IV

-HEAD START EXTENDED DURATION

(a) Appropriation.--There is authorized to be appropriated, and
there is appropriated, out of any funds in the Treasury not otherwise
appropriated, $2,700,000,000 for fiscal year 2026 and each subsequent
fiscal year, to carry out subsection (b).
(b) Use of Funds.--Using funds made available under subsection (a),
the Secretary of Health and Human Services shall assist Head Start
agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) funded under the Head
Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), to the extent needed to ensure that
their teachers and staff--
(1) receive wages that are comparable to wages for
elementary educators with similar credentials and experience in
the State; or
(2) at a minimum, receive a living wage.
(c) Application.--In carrying out subsection (b), the Secretary
shall apply the Head Start Act, except to the extent that subsection
(b) is inconsistent with that Act.
<all>

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Child Care for Working Families Act — HR. 4418

Other Sections

TITLE I

TITLE II

TITLE III

TITLE IV

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