HERO Child Care for Military Families Act

This bill changes rules for child care programs run by the Department of Defense for military families. It removes a prior service requirement in one child care provider law, lets the Defense Department partner with national service programs to place trained volunteers in military child development centers, and requires rules by June 1, 2027, allowing job applicants to get background checks and health screenings before a job opens. It also allows job-sharing for child care workers and lets the Defense Secretary give these workers limited benefits such as commissary access, fitness center use, and tuition help. The bill requires a department-wide child care data system updated at least every 90 days, along with reports to Congress on waitlists and on how child care availability relates to military readiness.

Full text and official record on Congress.gov

Sponsors

• Joni Ernst Republican sponsor
• 4 cosponsors