Katherine Clark

Child Care Access Means Parents In Schools Reauthorization Act or the CCAMPIS Reauthorization ActThis bill reauthorizes through FY2031 and revises the Child Care Access Means Parents in School Program. The program awards grants to support the participation of eligible low-income parents in postsecondary education through the provision of campus-based child care services.Among other revisions to the program, the bill increases the minimum and maximum grant amounts, allows grant funds to be used for additional purposes (e.g., child care subsidies and support services), and specifies additional grant application requirements.

The Child Care Workforce Development Act creates two federal programs to support early childhood educators and reduce their student debt. The first program allows the Department of Health and Human Services to repay up to $6,000 per year in student loans for educators who commit to working in federally-subsidized child care settings for five years, with a maximum total repayment equal to their actual loan balance. The second program provides grants of up to $4,000 per academic year through colleges and universities to students pursuing early childhood education degrees or certificates, with recipients required to work in licensed early learning programs for at least one year after graduation (plus four additional months for each grant renewal received, up to four years of total grants). If recipients fail to meet their work commitments, grants convert to no-interest loans repayable under standard federal repayment plans, though hardship extensions are available for those unable to find employment. The bill authorizes $25 million annually from 2026 through 2031 for the loan repayment program and $10 million annually from 2026 through 2030 for the grants program, with a requirement that the Department report to Congress on implementation after five years.

The Child Care Infrastructure Act authorizes $10 billion over five fiscal years (2026–2030) to help states and organizations improve child care facilities. States can apply for grants to help child care providers acquire, construct, renovate, or expand facilities, with priority given to programs serving low-income families, infants and toddlers, rural areas, and underserved communities. The bill also funds grants to intermediary organizations like community development financial institutions to provide technical assistance and financing for child care facility development. Before awarding grants, the federal government must conduct an immediate assessment of child care facility needs (reporting within one year) and a longer-term assessment (reporting within four years). All construction work funded by the grants must comply with prevailing wage requirements, and states receiving grants must contribute 10 percent of costs from state or private sources.