Congress·In Committee·H.R. 7498

Child Care: Support for Night and Weekend Workers

After Hours Child Care Act

Legislative Progress

House

Senate

President

Law

Congress is considering a plan to help parents who work outside of normal business hours. This bill would create a pilot program to fund child care services for people working evenings, nights, weekends, or schedules that change at the last minute.
Child care providers could apply for grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000. This money can be used to hire extra staff, improve buildings, buy new equipment, or even set up child care centers directly at a workplace so parents can be near their children.
The goal is to help parents stay in their jobs and qualify for raises or promotions. Currently, many parents have to turn down better work opportunities because they cannot find anyone to watch their children during late-night or early-morning shifts.
If passed, the program would run for five years starting in 2027. To receive a grant, a child care center or business must agree to pay for 25% of the project costs, with the federal government covering the other 75%.

2 milestones2 actions

Feb 11, 2026House

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Feb 11, 2026

Introduced in House

1 bill

After Hours Child Care Act

Feb 11 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

After Hours Child Care Act

Bill NumberHR 7498

Congress119th Congress

ChamberHouse of Representatives

Latest ActionReferred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

(7)

D: 4R: 3

Congress.gov

Official legislative information

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