No CRS summary available for this bill.
This section establishes a grant program under Part A of title IV of the Social Security Act to improve child care facility infrastructure. It directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to conduct (1) an immediate needs assessment of child care facilities nationwide (prioritizing federally funded programs and considering COVID-19 impacts on capacity, costs, tuition, and enrollment), with a report to Congress within one year of enactment; and (2) a long-term needs assessment (potentially via sampling), with a report within four years of enactment. The Secretary may award grants to states for up to five years to help child care providers acquire, construct, renovate, or improve facilities (including adaptations or expansions), requiring states to prioritize facilities serving low-income populations, children under age 5 (especially infants and toddlers), those with reduced capacity or expansion needs, nontraditional hours, or rural/underserved areas; submit applications with impact reporting plans; and demonstrate collaboration with local governments, agencies, nongovernmental organizations (e.g., certified community development financial institutions), and community groups. In selecting grantees, the Secretary must prioritize states improving center- and home-based programs (potentially with Head Start), addressing urban/suburban/rural needs (e.g., low-income or disabled children), and showing execution capacity, while considering needs assessments and ensuring award diversity across state capacities.