A Democratic bill with 8 Democratic cosponsors · See all 8 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill seeks to amend the Child Care Access Means Parents In School Program under the Higher Education Act of 1965. It authorizes the Secretary to award grants to eligible institutions of higher education to help them provide child care services to eligible student parents. These grants can range from a minimum of $75,000 to a maximum of $2,000,000 per year for a five-year period. Institutions may use the funds to establish campus-based programs, provide subsidized child care, or offer before and after school services. The bill also outlines specific eligibility requirements for both the institutions and the student parents.
Yes· 3 of 14
- Scored +8
Does this make child care cost less?
The bill provides grants to institutions to establish campus-based child care and provide subsidized services for student parents.
- Scored +5
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
The bill specifically aids student parents who are eligible for Federal Pell Grants, a sign of financial need.
- Scored +4
Would women be better off under this?
The bill provides support for student parents, a group that often faces unique challenges in higher education.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Support for Student Success: The purpose of the program is to facilitate the success of eligible student parents in postsecondary education through child care services, such as campus-based programs. (Section 2, subsection (a))
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Affordable Child Care Options: Institutions can use funds to provide subsidized child care using a sliding fee scale or subsidized before and after school services. (Section 2, subsection (c)(1))
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Expanded Support Services: Grants may be used to provide support services for eligible student parents or to enhance the quality of existing campus-based child care programs. (Section 2, subsection (c)(2))
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Priority for Specific Needs: The Secretary is directed to give priority to programs that provide additional resources or supports to students who are single parents. (Section 2, subsection (f)(1)(C))
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Assistance with Government Benefits: Institutions receiving these grants must assist student parents in enrolling in various means-tested benefits programs, such as SNAP, Medicaid, and the Earned Income Tax Credit. (Section 2, subsection (d)(13))
Potential Negative Impacts for People
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Restrictions on Fund Use: Funds cannot be used for the construction of new facilities, except for renovations or repairs required to meet state or local health and safety requirements. (Section 2, subsection (c)(3)(A))
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Limited Scope for Providers: The Secretary is prohibited from establishing a priority for institutions that propose projects designed to support two or more child care providers. (Section 2, subsection (f)(2)(B))
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make child care cost less? — The bill provides grants to institutions to establish campus-based child care and provide subsidized services for student parents. Does this narrow the gap between how men and women are treated? — The bill specifically targets support for student parents, which can help narrow gender gaps in higher education access. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — The bill facilitates access to means-tested benefits like SNAP and EITC to assist student parents. Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — The bill includes requirements to report demographic data including race and ethnicity to ensure equitable service delivery.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill specifically aids student parents who are eligible for Federal Pell Grants, a sign of financial need. Would women be better off under this? — The bill provides support for student parents, a group that often faces unique challenges in higher education. Would children be better off under this? — The bill enhances the quality and accessibility of child care services for children of student parents. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill requires the collection of data regarding students with disabilities to ensure program equity. Would Black Americans be better off under this? — The bill's focus on demographic reporting and accessibility can help underserved populations access higher education.
- Education And Technology
- Does this make college cost less? — By providing subsidized child care, the bill reduces the overall financial burden of attending college for student parents.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to grow the economy? — By supporting student parents' success in postsecondary education, the bill helps build a more skilled workforce.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires the Secretary to make annual reports on grant usage and student demographics publicly available.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill mandates assistance for student parents to enroll in various means-tested benefits, including Medicaid. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill requires institutions to assist student parents in enrolling in Medicaid.
- 10/21/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 10/6/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/19/2025
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- 9/18/2025
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
- 5 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Suzanne BonamiciDemocrat · Oregon
Julia BrownleyDemocrat · California
Jimmy GomezDemocrat · California
Jennifer McClellanDemocrat · Virginia
Brittany PettersenDemocrat · Colorado
Lateefah SimonDemocrat · California
Jill TokudaDemocrat · Hawaii
Lauren UnderwoodDemocrat · Illinois