Congress·In Committee·H.R. 4199

Modernize the Au Pair Program Act of 2025

Au Pair Program: Federal Control of Pay and Rules

9 months ago·View on Congress.gov·Read full text

This bill is currently in the early stages of the legislative process after being sent to the House Committee on Foreign Affairs for review. It is considered active, but no future meetings or votes have been scheduled yet. There is no companion bill mentioned at this time.

Legislative Progress

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Key Points

This bill makes the Department of State the only agency allowed to set rules for the au pair program. It stops states or cities from passing their own laws about how au pairs are treated or paid, ensuring the program works the same way across the entire country.
The bill affects thousands of foreign students who come to the U.S. to provide childcare while living with American families. It aims to keep these programs affordable for parents, especially military families, first responders, and single parents who often have non-traditional work schedules.
Supporters of the bill argue that the au pair program is a cultural exchange and a tool for foreign policy, not just a regular job. Because of this, they believe it should follow one set of federal rules rather than a mix of different state labor laws.
Within 90 days of the bill becoming law, the State Department would have to set a new national pay rate for au pairs. This new rate must account for the cost of the room and food the host family provides to make sure the program does not become too expensive for families.
While the bill helps families keep their childcare costs down, it could mean that au pairs living in states with high minimum wages might earn less than they currently do under local laws.