H.R. 5458: Child Care Access Means Parents In Schools Reauthorization Act

This bill, titled the **Child Care Access Means Parents In Schools Reauthorization Act**, aims to enhance support for eligible parents who are enrolled in postsecondary education by providing funds for child care services. It amends the existing Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program under the Higher Education Act of 1965 to improve accessibility and affordability of child care for student parents. Here are the major aspects of the bill:

Purpose

The main goal of this bill is to help student parents succeed in their education by ensuring they have access to quality child care services, including those available on college campuses.

Grants for Educational Institutions

• The Secretary of Education will have the authority to award grants to eligible educational institutions to assist them in providing child care services.
• Grants will range from a minimum of **$75,000** to a maximum of **$2,000,000** annually.
• Grants will be awarded for **five-year periods**, with the possibility of renewal if institutions demonstrate the need for continued support.

Eligibility for Grants

To qualify for these grants, an institution must meet certain criteria, primarily:

• Be an institution of higher education with at least **150 students** eligible for Federal Pell Grants.
• Provide child care services aimed specifically at eligible student parents, defined as those who are enrolled and responsible for caring for one or more dependent children.

Use of Funds

Grants may be used for:

• Establishing or supporting on-campus child care programs.
• Providing subsidized child care services on a sliding fee scale.
• Offering accessible before- and after-school services.
• Supporting additional services aimed at enhancing child care quality and accessibility.

Prohibitions and Guidelines

• Grant funds cannot be used for construction projects, except minor renovations required for health and safety compliance.
• Institutions cannot impose additional eligibility requirements for student parents beyond those defined in the bill.

Application Process

Eligible institutions must submit an application outlining how they plan to use the grant funds, demonstrate the need for such services, and describe the demographics of student parents. Applications must also provide a comprehensive plan for implementation and a timeline for when services will be available.

Reporting Requirements

• Institutions receiving grants are required to report annually on the number of student parents served, demographic information, child care service fees, and their effectiveness in aiding student retention and success.
• The Secretary will compile these reports into a publicly available summary to track the overall impact of the program.

Funding Authorization

The bill authorizes the appropriation of **$500 million** annually from fiscal year **2026** through **2031** to support the provisions of this act.

Nondiscrimination Clause

The bill includes provisions to ensure that no person is discriminated against based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, or disability when participating in programs funded under this act.

Relevant Companies

None found.