H.R. 3304: Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act of 2025

This bill, titled the "Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act of 2025," proposes the establishment of a grant pilot program aimed at providing child care services specifically for the minor children of law enforcement officers. The bill addresses the unique scheduling challenges that law enforcement officers often face due to shift work and nontraditional hours. Here’s a breakdown of the main provisions of the bill:

Grant Program Establishment

The bill mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services will set up a program to award grants to lead agencies on a competitive basis. These grants are intended to support the creation and operation of child care services for the children of law enforcement officers.

Eligibility and Application

To receive a grant, a lead agency must submit an application that meets specific criteria outlined by the Secretary. Grants can be awarded for a period of three years.

Funding Set-Asides

Not less than 20% of the funds allocated for the program must be designated for small law enforcement agencies, specifically those employing fewer than 200 officers or consortia of agencies that include such smaller law enforcement entities.

Fund Usage

Grant funds can be utilized for a variety of purposes, which may include:

• Startup costs for establishing child care programs
• Training costs for child care providers
• Financial assistance for child care costs for families of law enforcement officers
• Care for sick children or special needs children
• Maintaining nonstandard hours for expanded child care availability
• Facility operation, construction, or renovation costs

Matching Funds Requirement

Lead agencies must show that they can provide matching funds for the costs incurred by entities receiving the grants. The matching requirement is staged over three years, starting at 10% in the first year, increasing to 25% in the second year, and 33.67% in the third year.

Provider Requirements

Eligible child care providers must adhere to specific definitions and requirements set forth in existing law. They will need to comply with standards established by the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act and other relevant regulations.

Administration and Oversight

Lead agencies are responsible for managing the grants they receive, ensuring compliance with health and safety standards, providing technical assistance, and conducting annual audits of the funded entities to verify appropriate use of funds. If misuse of funds is identified, the lead agency must notify the Secretary and may seek repayment.

Studies and Reports

After the program commences, the Secretary will conduct studies at two and four-year intervals to assess:

• The capacity of funded child care programs to meet community needs
• The types of collaborations formed at the local level
• The demographics and financial status of those utilizing the services

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes $24 million annually for fiscal years 2026 through 2030 to support the program, with a limitation on the amount that can be used for administrative costs and studies.

Program Termination

The program established under this bill is set to terminate on September 30, 2030.

Relevant Companies

None found