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Congress·In Committee·S. 846

Sen. Britt and Sen. Kaine Push Bipartisan Bill to Raise Child Care Worker Pay

Child Care Workforce Act

1 day ago·View on Congress.gov

Legislative Progress

Senate
House
President
Law

Key Points

  • This bill creates a federal pilot program that awards competitive grants to states, tribes, and tribal organizations specifically to boost the pay of child care workers. The goal is to fix a workforce shortage by making child care jobs more financially viable.
  • Grant funding is targeted toward areas with the greatest need, including communities with staffing shortages, underserved areas, places lacking care for infants and toddlers, children with disabilities, or families who need care during nontraditional hours like nights and weekends.
  • States must send wage supplements to eligible workers at least four times a year and provide education on how the extra pay might affect their taxes or eligibility for government benefits like Medicaid or food stamps. Accepting the supplements is voluntary.

    From policy text

    “disburse the wage supplements to eligible child care workers not less frequently than quarterly”
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  • The bill authorizes funding starting in fiscal year 2026 with no set dollar cap, leaving the actual spending level to future appropriations. If enacted, the program would take effect 75 days after signing.

    From policy text

    “There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such sums as may be necessary for fiscal year 2026 and each subsequent fiscal year.”
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  • The bill has bipartisan support, introduced by Senators Britt, Kaine, Shaheen, King, and Gillibrand. It requires HHS to evaluate the pilot program's effectiveness and report back to Congress within two years of implementation.

    From policy text

    “Not later than 2 years after the date on which the pilot program is implemented, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress containing the results of the evaluation.”
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Labor EmploymentEducationHealthcare

Impact Analysis

Personal Impact

Scores: 1 = low, 5 = highSentiment: -5 to +5 (net benefit)

Milestones

2 milestones3 actions
Mar 19, 2026Senate

Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

Mar 4, 2025Senate

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. (Sponsor introductory remarks on measure: CR S1499-1500)

Mar 4, 2025

Introduced in Senate

What Happens Next

Projected impacts based on AI analysis

75 days after enactment

Pilot program takes effect 75 days after signing into law

HHS would begin accepting applications from states and tribes for competitive grants to boost child care worker pay. No money flows to workers yet at this stage.

2 years after program implementation

HHS submits evaluation report to Congress

Congress gets data on whether the pilot actually helped attract and keep child care workers, improved care quality, and made child care more available. This report would shape decisions about continuing or expanding the program.

Related Bills

1 bill
H.R. 1826Related bill

Child Care Workforce Act

Mar 4 — Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.

Source Information

Document Type

Congressional Bill

Official Title

Child Care Workforce Act

Bill NumberS 846
Congress119th Congress
ChamberSenate
Latest ActionCommittee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions. Hearings held.

Sponsor

Cosponsors

(5)
D: 4I: 1

Analysis generated by AI. Always verify with official sources.