No Funds for Repeat Child Care Violations Act of 2026
Summary
The No Funds for Repeat Child Care Violations Act would amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 to strengthen federal oversight of state child care programs. Currently, the Secretary of Health and Human Services has discretionary authority to withhold federal child care funds from states that violate program rules or commit fraud. This bill would change that authority from discretionary to mandatory, requiring the Secretary to withhold funds whenever a state commits repeated violations or fraud related to child care regulations.
If enacted, the bill would create stronger incentives for states to comply with federal child care standards and regulations. States that have histories of noncompliance or repeated violations could face significant financial consequences, which would pressure them to enhance their regulatory frameworks and compliance measures. The practical impact would affect state governments receiving federal child care block grant money and, potentially, child care providers and families relying on subsidized child care in states that lose funding.