The After Hours Child Care Act establishes a federal pilot program to help working parents access child care during nontraditional hours, such as evenings, nights, weekends, or with short scheduling notice. The bill defines nontraditional work hours as any job where at least 25 percent of hours fall outside standard 9-to-5 weekday schedules. The Department of Health and Human Services will competitively award grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 to eligible child care providers and partnerships to expand or establish child care capacity for these families, with funding covering 75 percent of costs and local partners contributing 25 percent. Grant recipients can use funds for staffing, facility improvements, curriculum development, training, and health and safety upgrades, with awards lasting five years and not renewable. The bill authorizes $10 million in funding for fiscal years 2027 through 2031 and requires the Secretary to report to Congress every two years on the number of children served, employment outcomes for parents, and the impact on child care availability.
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