Jennifer Kiggans (R-VA)
Helping Ensure Reliable Opportunities in Child Care for Military Families Act
A Republican bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 3 cosponsors
Last activity — Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
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, known as the "HERO Child Care for Military Families Act," aims to address child care challenges for military families. It seeks to expand the pool of eligible providers by allowing national service volunteers to work in military child development centers. The bill introduces a "preclearance" process for background checks to streamline hiring and authorizes job-sharing arrangements for employees. Additionally, it allows certain limited benefits, such as commissary and exchange privileges, to help with recruitment and retention. Finally, it mandates the creation of a new data system to monitor child care capacity, staffing, and waitlists across the Department of Defense.
Yes· 3 of 6
- Scored +5
Would children be better off under this?
The bill seeks to increase the reliability and capacity of child care services for young children.
- Scored +5
Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see?
The bill mandates a new unified data system and regular briefings to Congress regarding child care readiness.
- Scored +4
Is this likely to create jobs?
The bill expands the pool of eligible child care providers through national service partnerships and streamlined preclearance.
The opposite
- Scored -1
Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive?
The bill focuses on military family child care rather than direct veteran support.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
-
Expanded Workforce Options: The Secretary of Defense may partner with Federal agencies to place national service volunteers, including those in senior roles, into military child development centers (Section 2).
-
Streamlined Hiring: The implementation of a "preclearance" system allows individuals to complete background checks and health screenings before a specific job opening exists, which can speed up the hiring process (Section 3).
-
Flexible Work Schedules: The bill authorizes job-sharing arrangements, which can help people who cannot work full-time due to caregiving, education, or other personal reasons (Section 4).
-
Increased Benefits for Workers: To help attract and keep staff, the Secretary may authorize limited benefits such as commissary and exchange privileges, use of MWR fitness centers, and tuition assistance (Section 5).
-
Improved Oversight and Planning: The establishment of a unified data system will allow the Department of Defense to monitor child care capacity, staffing levels, and waitlists to better address unmet needs (Section 6).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
-
No Guarantee of Employment: Even if an individual goes through the "preclearance" process, the Department of Defense is not required to hire them (Section 3).
-
No Right to Appeal: Individuals who receive preclearance but are not selected for an open position do not have a right to an appeal or any legal action (Section 3).
-
Temporary and Revocable Benefits: Any special benefits granted to child care employees, such as access to specific facilities or privileges, may be revoked by the Secretary at any time (Section 5).
-
Benefit Restrictions: Benefits provided to child care employees cannot be transferred to any other person (Section 5).
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.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would children be better off under this? — The bill seeks to increase the reliability and capacity of child care services for young children. Would women be better off under this? — The bill addresses child care needs which often disproportionately impact women's workforce participation. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The bill includes data collection on fee assistance program utilization to better address unmet needs.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates a new unified data system and regular briefings to Congress regarding child care readiness.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill expands the pool of eligible child care providers through national service partnerships and streamlined preclearance.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this make child care cost less? — The bill aims to increase child care capacity and stability through job-sharing and expanded workforce options.
- National Security And Foreign Policy
- Does this increase the pay, pensions or support veterans receive? — The bill focuses on military family child care rather than direct veteran support.
- 4/29/2026
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- 4/16/2026
- Referred to the House Committee on Armed Services.
- 1 Cosponsor 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.
Ashley HinsonRepublican · Iowa
Sara JacobsDemocrat · California
Chris PappasDemocrat · New Hampshire