,i #aafth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,h4 ,r4 #gbja ,,in ,,the ,,house ,,of ,,representatives ,june #ae1 #bjbj,ms4 ,clark of ,massachusetts introduced the following bill2 which was referred to the ,committee on ,education and ,labor1 and in addition to the ,committees on ,energy and ,commerce1 ,ways and ,means1 and ,financial ,services1 for a period to be subsequently determined by the ,speaker1 in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned ,a ,,bill ,to provide assistance with respect to child care infrastructure1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title2 findings 7a7 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,child ,care is ,infrastructure ,act4 7b7 ,findings ,congress makes the following findings3 7#a7 ,early care and learning settings directly impact the physical1 behavioral1 and cognitive development of young children1 and these settings should be designed and equipped to keep children safe and help children thrive4 7#b7 ,an investigation in #aj ,states conducted by the ,office of the ,inspector ,general of the ,department of ,health and ,human ,services found that #if percent of early care and learning facilities inspected during unannounced visits had at least #a potentially hazardous condition4 7#c7 ,approximately #ejj1jjj early care and learning facilities are not regulated under the ,safe ,drinking ,water ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #cjj;f71 and only #aa ,states and ,new ,york ,city require licensed early care and learning facilities to test drinking water within such facilities for lead4 7#d7 ,a ,department of ,health and ,human ,services report from #bjae found that an estimated #b1bja ,head ,start centers needed facility improvements1 including improvements related to rebuilding1 renovating1 and conducting maintenance on such facilities4 7#e7 ,only #b statewide needs assessments have been conducted3 7,a7 ,a #bjaa statewide study of ,massachusetts early care and learning facilities found excessive levels of carbon dioxide in early care and learning facilities throughout the ,state1 insufficient ventilation systems1 and furnishings containing formaldehyde4 7,b7 ,a #bjad statewide study in ,rhode ,island found that-- 7i7 all centers visited had at least one playground safety hazard2 7ii7 centers in poor condition tend to serve higher rates of low-income1 ,state-subsidized children2 and 7iii7 nearly #gj percent of early learning centers visited had one or more issues related to the overall building condition1 such as water stains1 excessive wear1 and peeling paint4 7#f7 ,the ,national ,children's ,facilities ,network estimates that the ,united ,states would require at least #ag billion to bring existing early care and learning facilities up to best-practice standards4 7#g7 ,while data on the condition of facilities is available for #b ,states1 it is lacking elsewhere4 ,the extent of the problem is impossible to determine without a nationwide assessment of the current condition of existing early care and learning facilities4 #b4 ,infrastructure grants to improve child care safety 7a7 ,in general ,part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq47 is amended by inserting after section #dah the following3 #dah;,a4 ,infrastructure grants to improve child care safety 7a7 ,short title ,this section may be cited as the ,infrastructure ,grants to ,improve ,child ,care ,safety ,act4 7b7 ,needs ,assessments 7#a7 ,immediate needs assessment 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall conduct an immediate needs assessment of the condition of child care facilities throughout the ,united ,states 7with priority given to child care facilities that receive ,federal funds71 that-- 7i7 determines the extent to which the ,,covid-#ai pandemic has created immediate infrastructure needs1 including infrastructure-related health and safety needs1 which must be addressed for child care facilities to operate in compliance with public health guidelines2 7ii7 considers the effects of the pandemic on a variety of child care centers1 including home-based centers2 and 7iii7 considers how the pandemic has impacted specific metrics1 such as-- 7,i7 capacity2 7,,ii7 investments in infrastructure changes2 7,,iii7 the types of infrastructure changes centers need to implement and their associated costs2 7,,iv7 the price of tuition2 and 7,v7 any changes or anticipated changes in the number and demographic of children attending4 7,b7 ,timing ,the immediate needs assessment should occur simultaneously with the first grant-making cycle under subsection 7c74 7,c7 ,report ,not later than #a year after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,congress a report containing the result of the needs assessment conducted under subparagraph 7,a71 and make the assessment publicly available4 7#b7 ,long-term needs assessment 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall conduct a long-term assessment of the condition of child care facilities throughout the ,united ,states 7with priority given to child care facilities that receive ,federal funds74 ,the assessment may be conducted through representative random sampling4 7,b7 ,report ,not later than #d years after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,congress a report containing the results of the needs assessment conducted under subparagraph 7,a71 and make the assessment publicly available4 7c7 ,child care facilities grants 7#a7 ,grants to ,states 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may award grants to ,states for the purpose of acquiring1 constructing1 renovating1 or improving child care facilities1 including adapting1 reconfiguring1 or expanding facilities to respond to the ,,covid-#ai pandemic4 7,b7 ,prioritized facilities ,the ,secretary may not award a grant to a ,state under subparagraph 7,a7 unless the ,state involved agrees1 with respect to the use of grant funds1 to prioritize-- 7i7 child care facilities primarily serving low-income populations2 7ii7 child care facilities primarily serving children who have not attained the age of #e years2 7iii7 child care facilities that closed during the ,,covid-#ai pandemic and are unable to open without making modifications to the facility that would otherwise be required to ensure the health and safety of children and staff2 and 7iv7 child care facilities that serve the children of parents classified as essential workers during the ,,covid-#ai pandemic4 7,c7 ,duration of grants ,a grant under this subsection shall be awarded for a period of not more than #e years4 7,d7 ,application ,to seek a grant under this subsection1 a ,state shall submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require1 which information shall-- 7i7 be disaggregated as the ,secretary may require2 and 7ii7 include a plan to use a portion of the grant funds to report back to the ,secretary on the impact of using the grant funds to improve child care facilities4 7,e7 ,priority ,in selecting ,states for grants under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall prioritize ,states that-- 7i7 plan to improve center-based and home-based child care programs1 which may include a combination of child care and early ,head ,start or ,head ,start programs2 7ii7 aim to meet specific needs across urban1 suburban1 or rural areas as determined by the ,state2 and 7iii7 show evidence of collaboration with-- 7,i7 local government officials2 7,,ii7 other ,state agencies2 7,,iii7 nongovernmental organizations1 such as-- 7aa7 organizations within the philanthropic community2 7bb7 certified community development financial institutions as defined in section #ajc of the ,community ,development ,banking and ,financial ,institutions ,act of #aiid 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #dgjb7 that have been certified by the ,community ,development ,financial ,institutions ,fund 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #dgjc72 and 7cc7 organizations that have demonstrated experience in-- 7,,aa7 providing technical or financial assistance for the acquisition1 construction1 renovation1 or improvement of child care facilities2 7,,bb7 providing technical1 financial1 or managerial assistance to child care providers2 and 7,,cc7 securing private sources of capital financing for child care facilities or other low-income community development projects2 and 7,,iv7 local community organizations1 such as-- 7aa7 child care providers2 7bb7 community care agencies2 7cc7 resource and referral agencies2 and 7dd7 unions4 7,f7 ,consideration ,in selecting ,states for grants under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall consider-- 7i7 whether the applicant-- 7,i7 has or is developing a plan to address child care facility needs2 and 7,,ii7 demonstrates the capacity to execute such a plan2 and 7ii7 after the date the report required by subsection 7b77#a77;,c7 is submitted to the ,congress1 the needs of the applicants based on the results of the assessment4 7,g7 ,diversity of awards ,in awarding grants under this section1 the ,secretary shall give equal consideration to ,states with varying capacities under subparagraph 7,f74 7,h7 ,matching requirement 7i7 ,in general ,as a condition for the receipt of a grant under subparagraph 7,a71 a ,state that is not an ,indian tribe shall agree to make available 7directly or through donations from public or private entities7 contributions with respect to the cost of the activities to be carried out pursuant to subparagraph 7,a71 which may be provided in cash or in kind1 in an amount equal to #aj percent of the funds provided through the grant4 7ii7 ,determination of amount contributed ,contributions required by clause 7i7 may include-- 7,i7 amounts provided by the ,federal ,government1 or services assisted or subsidized to any significant extent by the ,federal ,government2 or 7,,ii7 philanthropic or private-sector funds4 7,i7 ,report ,not later than #f months after the last day of the grant period1 a ,state receiving a grant under this paragraph shall submit a report to the ,secretary as described in subparagraph 7,d7-- 7i7 to determine the effects of the grant in constructing1 renovating1 or improving child care facilities1 including any changes in response to the ,,covid-#ai pandemic and any effects on access to and quality of child care2 and 7ii7 to provide such other information as the ,secretary may require4 7,j7 ,amount limit ,the annual amount of a grant under this paragraph may not exceed #ce1jjj1jjj4 7#b7 ,grants to intermediary organizations 7,a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary may award grants to intermediary organizations1 such as certified community development financial institutions1 tribal organizations1 or other organizations with demonstrated experience in child care facilities financing1 for the purpose of providing technical assistance1 capacity building1 and financial products to develop or finance child care facilities4 7,b7 ,application ,a grant under this paragraph may be made only to intermediary organizations that submit to the ,secretary an application at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may require4 7,c7 ,priority ,in selecting intermediary organizations for grants under this subsection1 the ,secretary shall prioritize intermediary organizations that-- 7i7 demonstrate experience in child care facility financing or related community facility financing2 7ii7 demonstrate the capacity to assist ,states and local governments in developing child care facilities and programs2 7iii7 demonstrate the ability to leverage grant funding to support financing tools to build the capacity of child care providers1 such as through credit enhancements2 7iv7 propose to meet a diversity of needs across ,states and across urban1 suburban1 and rural areas at varying types of center-based1 home-based1 and other child care settings1 including early care programs located in freestanding buildings or in mixed-use properties2 and 7v7 propose to focus on child care facilities primarily serving low-income populations and children who have not attained the age of #e years4 7,d7 ,amount limit ,the amount of a grant under this paragraph may not exceed #aj1jjj1jjj4 7#c7 ,report ,not later than the end of fiscal year #bjbe1 the ,secretary shall submit to the ,congress a report on the effects of the grants provided under this subsection1 and make the report publically accessible4 7d7 ,limitations on authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,to carry out this section1 there is authorized to be appropriated #aj1jjj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjba1 which shall remain available through fiscal year #bjbe4 7#b7 ,reservations of funds 7,a7 ,indian tribes ,the ,secretary shall reserve #c percent of the total amount made available to carry out this section1 for payments to ,indian tribes4 7,b7 ,territories ,the ,secretary shall reserve #c percent of the total amount made available to carry out this section1 for payments to territories4 7#c7 ,grants for intermediary organizations ,not less than #aj percent and not more than #ae percent of the total amount made available to carry out this section may be used to carry out subsection 7c77#b74 7#d7 ,limitation on use of funds for needs assessments ,not more than #e1jjj1jjj of the amounts made available to carry out this section may be used to carry out subsection 7b74 7e7 ,definition of ,state ,in this section1 the term ,state has the meaning provided in section #dai1 except that it includes the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands and any ,indian tribe4 4 7b7 ,exemption of territory grants from limitation on total payments to the territories ,section #aajh7;a77#b7 of such ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #acjh7;a77#b77 is amended by inserting #dah;,a7c71 after #dac7;f714 #c4 ,early childhood educator loan assistance program ,part ,q of title ,,iii of the ,public ,health ,service ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #bhj;h7 is amended by adding at the end the following3 #cii,z-#c4 ,early childhood educator loan assistance program 7a7 ,authority ,the ,secretary may carry out a program of entering into contracts with eligible early childhood educators under which such educators agree to serve for a period of #e years as early childhood educators with a qualified employer1 in consideration of the ,federal ,government agreeing to repay1 for each year of such service1 not more than #f1jjj of the principal and interest of the educational loans of such educators4 7b7 ,recertification ,an eligible early childhood educator seeking to continue to receive payments under this section shall submit on an annual basis to the ,secretary such information as the ,secretary may require to certify that the educator is continuing to meet the criteria to be considered an eligible educator4 7c7 ,maximum amount of loan ,the total amount of payments received by an eligible early childhood educator under this section may not exceed the total amount of the principal and interest of the educational loans of such educator4 7d7 ,applicability of certain provisions ,the following provisions of the ,national ,health ,service ,corps ,loan ,assistance ,program established in subpart ,,iii of part ,d shall apply to the program established under this section in the same manner and to the same extent as such provisions apply to the ,national ,health ,service ,corps ,loan ,assistance ,program3 7#a7 ,paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#c7 of section #cch;,b7c7 7relating to application information1 understandability1 and availability74 7#b7 ,section #cch;,b7c77#d7 7relating to recruitment and retention74 7#c7 ,section #cch;,b7d7 7relating to factors considered in providing contracts74 7#d7 ,section #cch7;e7 7relating to the approval required for participation74 7#e7 ,section #cch;,b7f7 7relating to contents of contracts74 7#f7 ,section #cch;,b7g7 7relating to payments1 including repayment schedule and tax liability74 7e7 ,report to ,congress ,not later than #e years after the date of the enactment of this section1 the ,secretary shall submit to ,congress a report on the implementation of this section4 7f7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,the term eligible early childhood educator means an individual that-- 7,a7 as of the date on which the agreement referred to in subsection 7a77#a7 is entered into-- 7i7 has outstanding ,federal direct loans obtained for purposes of pursuing an associate's degree1 a #d-year bachelor's degree1 a graduate degree1 or a combined bachelor and master's degree1 in early childhood education or a related field from an accredited institution 7including any such loan for which the individual is enrolled in an income-based repayment plan72 and 7ii7 is in good standing with respect to the loans referred to in clause 7i72 and 7,b7 agrees to-- 7i7 serve as an early childhood educator with a qualified employer for a period of not less than #e years2 and 7ii7 make timely payments with respect to the loans described in subparagraph 7,a77i74 7#b7 ,the term qualified employer means a childcare provider that receives or is eligible to receive vouchers or assistance under the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij4 7g7 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #be1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbf4 4 #d4 ,grants for early childhood educators 7a7 ,in general ,beginning not later than #ahj days after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,secretary of ,education 7referred to in this section as the ,secretary7 shall carry out a program under which the ,secretary makes payments to institutions of higher education with a qualified early childhood educator program to enable such institutions to make grants1 on a competitive basis1 to eligible individuals who file an application and agreement in accordance with subsections 7b7 and 7c74 7b7 ,applications 7#a7 ,in general ,the ,secretary shall periodically set dates by which eligible individuals shall file applications for a grant under this section4 ,each eligible individual desiring a grant under this section shall file an application containing such information and assurances as the ,secretary may determine necessary to enable the ,secretary to carry out the functions and responsibilities of this section4 7#b7 ,renewal ,a grant awarded under this section may be renewed for additional one-year periods if-- 7,a7 the recipient submits a renewal application containing such information and assurances as the ,secretary may determine necessary2 and 7,b7 the grant is renewed not more than three times1 for a total of not more than four academic years for each eligible recipient4 7c7 ,service obligation 7#a7 ,agreements to serve ,each application under subsection 7b7 shall include1 or be accompanied by-- 7,a7 an agreement by the applicant that-- 7i7 in the event that the applicant receives a grant under this section1 the applicant shall-- 7,i7 serve as a full-time or part-time educator in a licensed early learning program for a total of not less than one academic year1 and four additional months for each subsequent grant renewal1 within two years after the date on which the period of time covered by the grant is completed2 and 7,,ii7 submit a certification of employment by the employing early learning program in such form as the ,secretary may determine necessary2 and 7ii7 in the event that the applicant is determined to have failed or refused to carry out such service obligation1 the sum of the amounts of any grants received by such applicant under this section will be treated as a loan and collected from the applicant in accordance with paragraph 7#c7 and the regulations thereunder2 and 7,b7 a plain-language disclosure form developed by the ,secretary that clearly describes the nature of the grant award1 the service obligation1 and the loan repayment requirements that are the consequence of the failure to complete the service obligation4 7#b7 ,treatment of concurrent service ,an individual who serves as a full or part-time educator in a licensed early childhood education program concurrently while enrolled in a qualified early childhood educator program may count such service toward the fulfillment of the service obligation in the agreement under paragraph 7#a74 7#c7 ,repayment for failure to complete service ,except as provided in paragraph 7#d71 in the event that any recipient of a grant under this section fails or refuses to comply with the service obligation in the agreement under paragraph 7#a71 the sum of the amounts of any grants received by such recipient shall1 upon a determination of such a failure or refusal in such service obligation1 be treated as a ,federal ,direct ,unsubsidized ,stafford ,loan under part ,d of title ,,iv except that-- 7,a7 no interest shall accrue on such amounts2 and 7,b7 such amounts shall be subject to repayment in accordance with-- 7i7 an income-contingent or income-based repayment plan1 if the individual meets the eligibility requirements for such a repayment plan2 and 7ii7 such other terms and conditions as are specified by the ,secretary in regulations promulgated under this section4 7#d7 ,hardship extension ,in the case of a recipient who has made a good faith effort to find employment in a licensed early learning program and has been unable to acquire such employment1 the ,secretary is authorized to provide a hardship extension for a period of not more than one year to grant recipients who fail to complete their service requirement within a #b-year period4 7d7 ,grant amount ,an eligible individual selected to receive a grant or a grant renewal under this section shall receive a grant in an amount not to exceed #c1jjj for each academic year during which the individual is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis in the qualified early childhood educator program for which the grant was awarded4 7e7 ,grant disbursement ,payments under this section shall be made in accordance with regulations promulgated by the ,secretary for such purpose and in such manner as will best accomplish the purposes of this section1 provided-- 7#a7 any disbursement made by crediting a grant recipient's account shall be limited to tuition and fees and other materials necessary for the completion of coursework as determined by the ,secretary2 and 7#b7 not less than #he percent of any funds provided to an eligible institution under subsection 7a7 shall be advanced to the eligible institution prior to the start of each payment period and shall be based upon an amount requested by the institution as needed to cover the total cost of grants awarded to eligible recipients until such time as the ,secretary determines and publishes in the ,federal ,register with an opportunity for comment1 an alternative payment system that provides payments to institutions in an accurate and timely manner1 except that this sentence shall not be construed to limit the authority of the ,secretary to place an institution on a reimbursement system of payment4 7f7 ,direct payment ,nothing in this section shall be construed to prohibit the ,secretary from making a grant directly to an eligible individual in a case in which an institution of higher education with a qualified early childhood educator program does not participate in the program under subsection 7a74 7g7 ,definitions ,in this section3 7#a7 ,eligible individual ,the term eligible individual means an individual who is enrolled on a full-time or part-time basis in a qualified early childhood educator program4 7#b7 ,institution of higher education ,the term institution of higher education has the meaning given that term in section #ajb of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajjb74 7#c7 ,qualified early childhood educator program ,the term qualified early childhood educator program means a course of study leading to an associate's degree or a certificate in early childhood education or a related field from an institution of higher education4 7#d7 ,licensed early learning program ,the term licensed early learning program means any ,state-licensed or ,state-regulated program or provider1 regardless of setting or funding source1 that provides early care and education for children from birth to kindergarten entry1 including1 but not limited to1 programs operated by child care centers and in family child care homes4 7h7 ,authorization of appropriations 7#a7 ,in general ,there are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section #aj1jjj1jjj for each of fiscal years #bjba through #bjbe4 7#b7 ,limitation ,of the amount made available under paragraph 7#a7 in any fiscal year1 not more than #c percent may be used for evaluation1 monitoring1 salaries1 and administrative expenses4 #e4 ,,ccampis ,reauthorization ,section #dai,n of the ,higher ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #ajgj;e7 is amended-- 7#a7 in subsection 7b7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#b7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a7-- 7,i7 by striking ,the amount and inserting ,except as provided in subparagraph 7,c71 the amount2 and 7,,ii7 by striking #a percent and inserting #b percent2 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b77ii71 by striking subsection 7g7 and inserting subsection 7h72 and 7iii7 by adding at the end the following3 7,c7 ,performance bonus 7i7 ,in general ,notwithstanding subparagraph 7,a71 for any fiscal year for which the amount appropriated under subsection 7h7 is not less than #adj1jjj1jjj1 the ,secretary may pay a performance bonus to an eligible institution of higher education4 7ii7 ,maximum amount ,a bonus paid to an eligible institution of higher education under clause 7i7 for a fiscal year shall not exceed an amount equal to #bj percent of the amount of the annual grant payment received by the institution under paragraph 7#c77;,b7 for the fiscal year preceding the fiscal year for which the bonus is paid4 7iii7 ,use of bonus ,a bonus received by an institution under clause 7i7 shall be used by the institution in the same manner as a grant under this section and shall be treated as grant funds for purposes of the application of paragraph 7#e71 except that the ,secretary may extend the grant period as necessary for the institution to use such bonus4 7iv7 ,eligible institution of higher education ,in this subparagraph1 the term eligible institution of higher education means an institution of higher education that-- 7,i7 has received a grant under this section for not less than the period of three consecutive fiscal years preceding the fiscal year in which the bonus is paid under clause 7i72 7,,ii7 for each such preceding fiscal year1 has met or exceeded the performance levels established by the institution for such year under subsection 7e77#a77;,b77v72 and 7,,iii7 has demonstrated the need for such bonus4 2 and 7,b7 in paragraph 7#c7-- 7i7 in subparagraph 7,a71 by striking #d years and inserting #e years2 and 7ii7 in subparagraph 7,b71 by striking subsection 7e77#b7 and inserting subsection 7e77#c72 7#b7 by amending subsection 7c7 to read as follows3 7c7 ,applications 7#a7 ,in general ,an institution of higher education desiring a grant under this section shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and accompanied by such information as the ,secretary may require4 ,such application shall-- 7,a7 demonstrate that the institution is an eligible institution described in subsection 7b77#d72 7,b7 specify the amount of funds requested2 7,c7 demonstrate the need of low-income students at the institution for campus-based child care services by including in the application-- 7i7 information regarding student demographics1 including whether the student is a full-time or part-time student2 7ii7 an assessment of child care capacity on or near campus2 7iii7 information regarding the waiting lists for child care services on or near campus2 7iv7 information regarding additional needs created by concentrations of poverty or by geographic isolation2 7v7 information about the number of low-income student parents being served through campus-based child care services2 and 7vi7 other relevant data2 7,d7 specify the estimated percentage of the institution's grant that will be used directly to subsidize the fee charged for on-campus and off-campus childcare1 respectively1 for low-income students2 7,e7 contain a description of the activities to be assisted1 including whether the grant funds will support an existing child care program or a new child care program2 7,f7 identify the resources1 including technical expertise and financial support1 that the institution will draw upon to support the child care program and the participation of low-income students in the program 7such as accessing social services funding1 using student activity fees to help pay the costs of child care1 using resources obtained by meeting the needs of parents who are not low-income students1 and accessing foundation1 corporate1 or other institutional support7 and demonstrate that the use of the resources will not result in increases in student tuition2 7,g7 contain an assurance that the institution will meet the child care needs of low-income students through the provision of services1 or through a contract for the provision of services2 7,h7 describe the extent to which the child care program will coordinate with the institution's early childhood education curriculum1 to the extent the curriculum is available1 to meet the needs of the students in the early childhood education program at the institution1 and the needs of the parents and children participating in the child care program assisted under this section2 7,i7 in the case of an institution seeking assistance for a new child care program-- 7i7 provide a timeline1 covering the period from receipt of the grant through the provision of the child care services1 delineating the specific steps the institution will take to achieve the goal of providing low-income students with child care services2 7ii7 specify any measures the institution will take to assist low-income students with child care during the period before the institution provides child care services2 and 7iii7 include a plan for identifying resources needed for the child care services1 including space in which to provide child care services1 and technical assistance if necessary2 7,j7 contain an assurance that any child care facility assisted under this section will meet the applicable ,state and local government licensing1 certification1 approval1 or registration requirements2 7,k7 in the case of an institution that is awarded a grant under this section after the date of the enactment of the ,college ,affordability ,act1 provide an assurance that1 not later than three years after the date on which such grant is awarded1 any child care facility assisted with such grant will-- 7i7 meet ,head ,start performance standards under subchapter ,b of chapter #ac of title #de1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations 7as in effect on the date of enactment of the ,college ,affordability ,act7 and any successor regulations2 7ii7 be in the top tier of the quality rating improvement system for such facilities used by the ,state in which the facility is located2 7iii7 meet the licensing requirements of the ,state in which the facility is located and the quality requirements under the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iheh et seq472 or 7iv7 be accredited by a national early childhood accrediting body with demonstrated valid and reliable program quality standards2 7,l7 contain an assurance that the institution1 when applicable1 will make information available to students receiving child care services provided under this section about the eligibility of such students and their dependents for assistance under the supplemental nutrition assistance program under the ,food and ,nutrition ,act of #bjjh 7#g ,u4,s4,c4 #bjaa et seq471 the special supplemental nutrition program for women1 infants1 and children under the ,child ,nutrition ,act of #aiff 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #aghf71 and the program of block grants for ,states for temporary assistance for needy families established under part ,a of title ,,iv of the ,social ,security ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #fja et seq472 and 7,m7 contain an abstract summarizing the contents of such application and how the institution intends to achieve the purpose under subsection 7a74 7#b7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary may provide technical assistance to eligible institutions to help such institutions qualify1 apply for1 and maintain a grant under this section4 2 7#c7 in subsection 7d7-- 7,a7 in the matter preceding paragraph 7#a71 by striking to institutions of higher education that submit applications describing programs that2 7,b7 by amending paragraph 7#a7 to read as follows3 7#a7 based on the extent to which institutions of higher education that submit applications for such a grant leverage local or institutional resources1 including in-kind contributions1 to support the activities assisted under this section2 2 7,c7 by redesignating paragraph 7#b7 as paragraph 7#c72 7,d7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a71 the following3 7#b7 to institutions of higher education that1 compared to other institutions of higher education that submit applications for such a grant1 demonstrate a high likelihood of need for campus-based child care based on student demographics 7such as a high proportion of low-income students or independent students72 and 2 and 7,e7 in paragraph 7#c7 7as redesignated by subparagraph 7,c771 by inserting to institutions of higher education that submit applications describing programs that before utilize2 and 7#d7 in subsection 7e7-- 7,a7 in paragraph 7#a77;,b7-- 7i7 by redesignating clauses 7ii71 7iii71 and 7iv7 as clauses 7vi71 7vii71 and 7viii71 respectively2 and 7ii7 by striking the semicolon at the end of clause 7i7 and inserting the following3 1 which shall include-- 7,i7 the number of full- and part-time students1 respectively1 receiving child care services under this section at least once per week during the academic year2 7,,ii7 the number of credits accumulated by students receiving such child care services2 and 7,,iii7 the number of students receiving child care services under this section at least once per week during the academic year who-- 7aa7 remain enrolled at the institution during the academic year for which they received such services2 7bb7 enroll at the institution for the following academic year2 and 7cc7 graduate or transfer within-- 7,,aa7 #aej percent of the normal time for completion of a student's four-year degree granting program2 or 7,,bb7 #bjj percent of the normal time for completion of a student's two-year degree-granting program2 7ii7 with respect to the total student enrollment at the institution and the total enrollment of low-income students at the institution1 respectively-- 7,i7 the rate at which students who complete an academic year at the institution re-enroll in the institution for the following academic year2 and 7,,ii7 the percentage of students graduating or transferring within-- 7aa7 #aej percent of the normal time for completion of a student's four-year degree granting program2 or 7bb7 #bjj percent of the normal time for completion of a student's two-year degree granting program2 7iii7 the percentage of the institution's grant that was used directly to subsidize the fee charged for on-campus and off-campus childcare1 respectively1 for low-income students2 7iv7 whether the institution restricts eligibility for child care services to only full-time students2 7v7 the sufficiently ambitious levels of performance established for such year by the institution that demonstrate meaningful progress and allow for meaningful evaluation of program quality based on the information in clauses 7i77,,iii7 and 7iii72 2 7,b7 by redesignating paragraph 7#b7 as paragraph 7#c72 7,c7 by inserting after paragraph 7#a7 the following3 7#b7 ,report 7,a7 ,report required ,on an annual basis1 the ,secretary shall submit to the authorizing committees a report that includes-- 7i7 a summary of the information described in paragraph 7#a72 and 7ii7 each abstract submitted under subsection 7c77#a77,m7 by an institution of higher education that receives a grant under this section4 7,b7 ,public availability ,the ,secretary shall make each report submitted under subparagraph 7,a7 publicly available4 2 7,d7 in paragraph 7#c71 as so redesignated1 by inserting 7other than the information provided under subparagraph 7,b77v7 of such paragraph7 after paragraph 7#a72 and 7,e7 by adding at the end the following3 7#d7 ,technical assistance ,the ,secretary shall provide technical assistance to institutions of higher education receiving grants under this section to help such institutions meet the reporting requirements under this subsection4 2 7#e7 by redesignating subsection 7g7 as subsection 7h72 7#f7 by inserting after subsection 7f7 the following3 7g7 ,nondiscrimination ,no person in the ,united ,states shall1 on the basis of actual or perceived race1 color1 religion1 national origin1 sex 7including sexual orientation1 gender identity1 pregnancy1 childbirth1 a medical condition related to pregnancy or childbirth1 and sex stereotype71 or disability1 be excluded from participation in1 be denied the benefits of1 or be subjected to discrimination by any program funded1 in whole or in part1 with funds made available under this section or with amounts appropriated for grants1 contracts1 or certificates administered with such funds4 2 and 7#g7 in subsection 7h71 as so redesignated1 by striking such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year #bjji and inserting #bjj1jjj1jjj for fiscal year #bjba4 #f4 ,study of impact of tax credit for employer-provided child care 7a7 ,study ,not later than #ah months after the date of the enactment of this ,act1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states1 in consultation with the ,secretary of the ,treasury and the ,secretary of ,labor1 shall-- 7#a7 complete a study that examines the tax credit for employer-provided child care authorized under section #de;,f of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf by considering such metrics as-- 7,a7 the characteristics of employers that take the credit1 including the size of such employer1 whether such employer is in a rural or urban location1 and whether such employer also offers a dependent care assistance program described in section #abi of such code2 7,b7 the characteristics of employers that do not take the credit2 7,c7 the extent to which employees benefit when employers provide child care and take the credit2 7,d7 any challenges identified by employers that do not take the credit2 and 7,e7 any explanations from employers as to why they do or do not take the credit2 and 7#b7 prepare and submit a report to the ,committee on ,finance of the ,senate and the ,committee on ,ways and ,means of the ,house of ,representatives setting forth the conclusions of the study conducted under paragraph 7#a7 in such a manner that the recommendations included in the report can inform future legislative action4 ,such report shall also be made publicly available via the website of the ,government ,accountability ,office4 7b7 ,prohibition ,in carrying out the requirements of this section1 the ,comptroller ,general of the ,united ,states may request qualitative and quantitative information from employers claiming the credit under section #de;,f of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf1 but nothing in this section shall be construed as mandating additional reporting requirements for such employers beyond what is already required by law4 #g4 ,evaluation of applications for assistance under ,choice ,neighborhoods ,initiative ,in providing assistance for fiscal year #bjbj and any fiscal year thereafter under the ,choice ,neighborhoods ,initiative of the ,secretary of ,housing and ,urban ,development 7pursuant to section #bd of the ,united ,states ,housing ,act of #aicg 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #adcgv771 the ,secretary shall consider early care and learning facilities for children as a neighborhood asset for purposes of evaluating applications for planning and implementation grants1 shall ensure that any metric for evaluating such applications gives credit for the provision of early care and learning facilities under a neighborhood plan1 and shall include early care and learning facilities as such an asset in any ,notice of ,funding ,availability for any such fiscal year4