After Hours Child Care Act

H.R. 7498 would establish a federal pilot program to help working parents find child care during nontraditional hours. The bill would create a Child Care and Development Innovation Fund that awards competitive grants to organizations that expand existing child care programs or establish new ones specifically serving families where parents work evenings, nights, weekends, or other hours outside the traditional 9-to-5 schedule. This would target workers in essential sectors such as healthcare, manufacturing, and public safety who struggle to find affordable care during their work hours.

If enacted, the bill would allow federal grants ranging from $25,000 to $500,000 over a 5-year period to eligible entities such as child care providers, community organizations, and businesses. The legislation requires a 25 percent local match to ensure federal funds supplement rather than replace existing efforts. The bill also mandates that the Secretary of Health and Human Services submit reports to Congress every two years documenting how many children are served, employment outcomes for their parents, and the overall impact on child care availability in participating communities.