,,ii #aahth ,,congress #b;d ,session ,s4 #efba ,,in ,,the ,,senate ,,of ,,the ,,united ,,states ,december #ai 7legislative day1 ,december #af71 #bjbd,ms4 ,smith introduced the following bill2 which was read twice and referred to the ,committee on ,health1 ,education1 ,labor1 and ,pensions ,a ,,bill ,to provide grants to ,states1 ,indian ,tribes1 and ,tribal organizations for activities to increase the availability of child care options and to support the child care workforce1 and for other purposes4 #a4 ,short title ,this ,act may be cited as the ,childcare ,supply ,improvement ,act of #bjbd4 #b4 ,definitions ,in this ,act3 7#a7 ,allotment percentage ,the term allotment percentage1 with respect to a ,state1 means the allotment percentage determined for the ,state in accordance with section #feh,o7b77#d7 of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihehm7b77#d774 7#b7 ,child ,the term child means an individual-- 7,a7 who is age #e or younger2 or 7,b7 who has not yet entered kindergarten4 7#c7 ,child with a disability ,the term child with a disability means-- 7,a7 a child with a disability1 as defined in section #fjb of the ,individuals with ,disabilities ,education ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #adja71 except the term child shall be limited to a child as defined in paragraph 7#b72 7,b7 a child who is eligible for early intervention services under part ,c of the ,individuals with ,disabilities ,education ,act 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #adca et seq472 7,c7 a child who is eligible for services under section #ejd of the ,rehabilitation ,act of #aigc 7#bi ,u4,s4,c4 #gid72 or 7,d7 a child with a disability1 as the term disability is defined by the ,state involved4 7#d7 ,child care program ,the term child care program-- 7,a7 means any program-- 7i7 that provides child care or education for children1 in any setting or through any funding source2 and 7ii7 that is licensed to provide such care or education under licensing requirements applicable in the ,state or is exempt from such requirements2 and 7,b7 includes-- 7i7 any program operated by a center-based child care provider or a family child care provider2 7ii7 child care provided by relatives1 friends1 or neighbor caregivers2 7iii7 any preschool program funded by the ,federal ,government1 a ,state1 or a local educational agency2 or 7iv7 a ,head ,start program1 including an ,early ,head ,start program1 under the ,head ,start ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihca et seq474 7#e7 ,child care provider ,the term child care provider means the staff of a child care program4 7#f7 ,eligible community development financial institution ,the term eligible community development financial institution means-- 7,a7 a community development financial institution 7as defined in section #ajc of the ,community ,development ,banking and ,financial ,institutions ,act of #aiid 7#ab ,u4,s4,c4 #dgjb77 that has been certified by the ,community ,development ,financial ,institutions ,fund under section #ahje4bja of title #ab1 ,code of ,federal ,regulations1 or any successor regulation2 or 7,b7 an organization that-- 7i7 is described in section #eja7;c77#c7 of the ,internal ,revenue ,code of #aihf2 7ii7 is exempt from taxation under section #eja7;a7 of such ,code2 and 7iii7 has demonstrated experience in-- 7,i7 providing technical or financial assistance for the acquisition1 construction1 renovation1 or improvement of child care facilities2 7,,ii7 providing technical1 financial1 or managerial assistance to child care providers2 and 7,,iii7 securing private sources of capital financing for child care or other low-income community development4 7#g7 ,family child care provider ,the term family child care provider has the meaning given the term in section #feh,p of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihehn74 7#h7 ,indian ,tribe2 ,tribal organization ,the terms ,indian ,tribe and ,tribal organization have the meanings given the terms ,indian tribe and tribal organization in section #feh,p of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihehn74 7#i7 ,interrater reliability ,the term interrater reliability has the meaning given the term in section #fcg of the ,head ,start ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihcb74 7#aj7 ,local or regional entity ,the term local or regional entity means-- 7,a7 an agency administering a ,head ,start program1 including an ,early ,head ,start program1 under the ,head ,start ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihca et seq472 7,b7 a ,state or local agency responsible for administering a child care program1 including a local agency responsible for administering a child care program that is a home visiting program for children2 7,c7 a local early childhood advisory council or coalition2 7,d7 a local or regional child care resource and referral organization described in section #feh;,e7c77#c77;,b77iii7 of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iheh;c7c77#c77;,b77iii772 7,e7 an eligible community development financial institution2 7,f7 a nonprofit organization1 professional association1 or community-based organization with expertise in child care2 or 7,g7 a consortium of entities described in any of subparagraphs 7,a7 through 7,f74 7#aa7 ,school lunch factor ,the term school lunch factor has the meaning given the term in section #feh,o7b77#c7 of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihehm7b77#c774 7#ab7 ,secretary ,the term ,secretary means the ,secretary of ,health and ,human ,services4 7#ac7 ,state ,the term ,state has the meaning given the term in section #feh,p of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihehn74 7#ad7 ,young child factor ,the term young child factor has the meaning given the term in section #feh,o7b77#b7 of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihehm7b77#b774 #c4 ,child care supply improvement program 7a7 ,establishment ,the ,secretary shall establish a program to award to ,states1 ,indian ,tribes1 and ,tribal organizations-- 7#a7 grants for child care facilities in accordance with section #d2 and 7#b7 grants for the purpose of carrying out the activities described in section #e4 7b7 ,application process ,a ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or ,tribal organization seeking a grant under this ,act shall submit an application to the ,secretary at such time1 in such manner1 and containing such information as the ,secretary may reasonably require4 7c7 ,grant amounts 7#a7 ,in general ,each ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or ,tribal organization that submits an application meeting the requirements of the ,secretary under subsection 7b7 shall be entitled to a grant in an amount that is determined in accordance with the reservations and allotments under this subsection4 7#b7 ,amounts reserved 7,a7 ,territories and possessions ,the ,secretary shall reserve not to exceed one-half of #a percent of the amount appropriated under section #h in each fiscal year for payments to ,guam1 ,american ,samoa1 the ,virgin ,islands of the ,united ,states1 and the ,commonwealth of the ,northern ,mariana ,islands to be allotted in accordance with their respective needs4 7,b7 ,indian ,tribes ,the ,secretary shall reserve not less than #d percent of the amount appropriated under section #h in each fiscal year for grants to ,indian ,tribes and ,tribal organizations that submit an application meeting the requirements of the ,secretary under subsection 7b74 7#c7 ,state allotments ,from the amount appropriated under section #h for each fiscal year that is remaining after the reservations under paragraph 7#b71 the ,secretary shall allot to each ,state an amount equal to the sum of-- 7,a7 an amount that bears the same ratio to #ej percent of such remainder as the product of the young child factor of the ,state and the allotment percentage of the ,state bears to the sum of the corresponding products for all ,states2 and 7,b7 an amount that bears the same ratio to #ej percent of such remainder as the product of the school lunch factor of the ,state and the allotment percentage of the ,state bears to the sum of the corresponding products for all ,states4 #d4 ,grants for child care facilities 7a7 ,in general ,a grant awarded under section #c7;a77#a7 shall be used to award a subgrant to an eligible community development financial institution1 which may partner with other local or regional entities1 for the purpose of-- 7#a7 providing technical or financial assistance for the acquisition1 construction1 or improvements of child care facilities2 7#b7 providing technical1 financial1 or managerial assistance to child care programs2 7#c7 subject to subsection 7b71 renovating child care facilities to comply with ,state or local health and safety requirements2 7#d7 establishing low-cost-- 7,a7 loan programs for child care programs2 or 7,b7 loan forgiveness programs for child care programs in accordance with subsection 7c72 or 7#e7 developing and piloting local1 voluntary best practices related to community zoning standards to support the provision and expansion of child care services4 7b7 ,residential renovations ,a renovation to a private residence in which a family child care provider provides child care services may be supported through a grant under section #c7;a77#a71 only if necessary to comply with ,state or local health and safety requirements4 ,such a renovation may include-- 7#a7 indoor or outdoor modifications1 including such modifications to support accessibility for children with disabilities2 or 7#b7 lead remediation and abatement activities4 7c7 ,loan forgiveness programs ,a loan forgiveness program supported under subsection 7a77#d77;,b7-- 7#a7 shall provide loan forgiveness for child care programs over a period of time2 7#b7 shall prioritize loan forgiveness for child care programs that are or become licensed1 regulated1 or registered under ,state law and become nationally accredited or rated under a tiered quality rating system described in section #feh;,g7b77#c7 of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iheh;e7b77#c772 and 7#c7 may prioritize child care programs-- 7,a7 providing high-quality care for infants and toddlers during non-traditional hours2 7,b7 providing inclusive care for children with disabilities2 7,c7 serving children in a geographic area for which there is a shortage of child care2 or 7,d7 that otherwise meet the needs identified in the community needs assessment conducted by the ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or ,tribal organization under section #f4 #e4 ,grants for quality services1 compliance requirements1 business support1 and administrative improvement activities 7a7 ,subgrants ,a ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or ,tribal organization awarded a grant under section #c7;a77#b7 may make subgrants to1 or partner with1 local or regional entities to carry out any activity supported by the grant in accordance with this section4 7b7 ,activities ,a grant awarded under section #c7;a77#b7 shall be used for any of the following activities3 7#a7 ,activities to provide-- 7,a7 pathways for child care programs operating legally without a child care license to obtain such license2 7,b7 pre-licensing orientation for individuals seeking a child care license2 7,c7 technical assistance throughout the child care licensing process2 or 7,d7 pathways to accreditation of child care programs and quality improvement for such programs1 including entry into or improvement on a tiered quality rating system described in section #feh;,g7b77#c7 of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iheh;e7b77#c774 7#b7 ,activities1 in accordance with subsection 7c71 to provide ongoing1 job-embedded professional development for child care programs1 including structured training1 coaching1 mentoring1 professional development visits1 and peer support activities1 or professional opportunities1 to reduce isolation of child care providers1 including through cohort-based models4 7#c7 ,activities to provide business start-up support for child care programs as described in subsection 7d74 7#d7 ,activities to improve the administration of child care programs1 by ,states1 ,indian ,tribes1 or ,tribal organizations1 which shall include activities as described in subsection 7e74 7c7 ,professional development activities 7#a7 ,accessibility ,the professional development activities described in subsection 7b77#b7 shall-- 7,a7 be appropriate1 relevant1 accessible1 and affordable for family child care providers in home-based settings2 and 7,b7 be culturally responsive and linguistically appropriate for the applicable community4 7#b7 ,activities ,such professional development activities may include-- 7,a7 assistance for child care providers in obtaining qualified1 temporary substitute child care or reimbursing such child care providers for obtaining such child care2 7,b7 the creation1 expansion1 or replication of staffed family child care networks2 7,c7 the creation1 expansion1 or replication of infant-toddler specialist networks2 and 7,d7 cross-sector training and partnership opportunities for teachers and staff of-- 7i7 ,head ,start programs1 including ,early ,head ,start programs1 under the ,head ,start ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihca et seq472 7ii7 early intervention programs2 7iii7 infant and early childhood mental health programs2 7iv7 home visiting child care programs2 7v7 ,state-funded prekindergarten and preschool programs that receive funds under part ,a of title ,i of the ,elementary and ,secondary ,education ,act of #aife 7#bj ,u4,s4,c4 #fcaa et seq472 or 7vi7 any other child care program4 7d7 ,business start-,up activities ,the business-start up activities described in subsection 7b77#c7-- 7#a7 shall-- 7,a7 promote sound1 sustainable business practices1 including business planning practices1 to child care programs1 including through orientations for child care programs and related programs1 such as the child and adult care food program established under section #ag of the ,richard ,b4 ,russell ,national ,school ,lunch ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #agff72 7,b7 provide financial aid or technical assistance to assist child care providers in complying with licensing requirements1 or health and safety requirements2 7,c7 provide technical assistance or financial assistance for costs associated with beginning a business1 including costs for equipment or supplies1 including diapers and diapering supplies2 and 7,d7 develop shared service models for child care programs with respect to business activities including accounting1 marketing1 communications1 health insurance1 and legal support activities2 and 7#b7 may include activities to promote innovative solutions or support the development of innovative models or arrangements for child care providers1 such as co-located child care programs or employer-sponsored child care programs1 which may be identified through the community needs assessment conducted by the ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or ,tribal organization under section #f4 7e7 ,improving administration 7#a7 ,in general ,the activities described in subsection 7b77#d7 shall include activities to-- 7,a7 improve data collection with respect to child care services1 including the collection of information by ,states under section #feh,k of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iheh;i72 7,b7 improve coordination between ,states and ,indian ,tribes or ,tribal organizations receiving assistance under such ,act1 the ,head ,start ,act 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #ihca et seq471 or this ,act2 7,c7 improve coordination between ,states and local governments with respect to licensing and other regulatory requirements for child care providers1 and1 if applicable1 the ,state's tiered quality rating system described in section #feh;,g7b77#c7 of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iheh;e7b77#c772 7,d7 increase interrater reliability in licensing inspections or other evaluations of child care programs by training licensing inspectors of child care providers and providing such inspectors with additional professional development2 7,e7 identify and eliminate barriers to child care licensure1 such as through reducing fees for background checks1 translating licensing regulations into languages other than ,english1 collaborating with housing authorities or local governments1 or addressing other barriers that may be identified through the community needs assessment conducted under section #f2 or 7,f7 improve the functionality of activities related to ,state and local regulatory requirements1 including requirements with respect to licensing and licensing inspections1 in accordance with paragraph 7#b74 7#b7 ,functionality activities ,the activities described in paragraph 7#a77;,f7 may include developing modern technology in accordance with paragraph 7#c7 to assist and improve with-- 7,a7 outreach1 including communication to child care providers of-- 7i7 licensing and other regulatory requirements described in subparagraph 7,k7 of section #feh;,e7c77#b7 of the ,child ,care and ,development ,block ,grant ,act of #aiij 7#db ,u4,s4,c4 #iheh;c7c77#b772 and 7ii7 health and safety requirements described in subparagraph 7,i7 of such section2 7,b7 enforcement of the requirements described in clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 of subparagraph 7,a72 7,c7 assistance to child care providers in complying with such requirements2 or 7,d7 efforts to streamline ,state and local paperwork requirements for child care providers without diminishing any health and safety requirements applicable to such providers4 7#c7 ,modern technology ,any modern technology developed under paragraph 7#b7 shall-- 7,a7 focus on the needs of child care providers subject to the requirements described in clauses 7i7 and 7ii7 of paragraph 7#b77;,a72 and 7,b7 take into consideration1 to the extent possible1 best practices related to technology development practices1 including user-centered design1 as detailed in applicable ,federal guidelines1 such as the ,digital ,services ,playbook4 #f4 ,community needs assessment 7a7 ,in general ,each ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or ,tribal organization receiving a grant under this ,act shall1 prior to undertaking any activity supported by such a grant1 conduct an assessment of the needs of the ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or ,tribal organization with respect to issues including-- 7#a7 the overall supply of child care programs1 including the supply of high-quality child care programs2 7#b7 geographic shortages and diversity of child care providers2 7#c7 child care offered during nontraditional hours2 7#d7 cultural and linguistic needs of children1 parents1 and child care providers2 and 7#e7 relevant trends in child care supply and demand4 7b7 ,consultation ,in preparing the needs assessment required under subsection 7a71 the ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or ,tribal organization shall consult with parents1 child care stakeholder groups1 relevant local governments1 interested businesses and employers1 related professional associations1 and community-based organizations4 7c7 ,results ,a ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or ,tribal organization receiving a grant under this ,act shall-- 7#a7 use the results of the needs assessment required under subsection 7a7 to determine how to use the funds awarded through such grant to address the needs of children1 parents1 and child care providers2 and 7#b7 to the greatest extent possible1 use the funds awarded through such grant in proportion to the needs determined through such assessment to increase the supply of high-quality child care1 which may include a focus on a particular issue described in any of paragraphs 7#a7 through 7#e7 of subsection 7a74 #g4 ,administrative requirements 7a7 ,supplement and not supplant ,funds made available through a grant or subgrant under this ,act shall supplement1 and not supplant1 other ,federal1 ,state1 or local funds that are available for child care programs or other family engagement programs4 7b7 ,maintenance of effort ,a ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or ,tribal organization that receives funds through a grant under this ,act for a fiscal year shall maintain the fiscal effort provided by the ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or ,tribal organization for the activities supported by such funds at a level equal to or greater than the level of such fiscal effort for the preceding fiscal year4 7c7 ,voluntary participation ,a ,state1 ,indian ,tribe1 or ,tribal organization that receives a grant under this ,act shall ensure that family participation in any program supported by such grant shall be voluntary and not preclude the family from participating in any other ,federal1 ,state1 or local program4 #h4 ,authorization of appropriations ,there are authorized to be appropriated such sums as may be necessary to carry out this ,act4