Us Congress 2023-2024 Regular Session

Us Congress Senate Bill SB4967

Introduced
8/1/24  

Caption

Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2024

Impact

The reauthorization focuses on improving the overall quality of child care services by enforcing health, safety, and professional standards. States are encouraged to enhance the quality of care through initiatives that foster the education and professional development of child care staff, aiming to retain a qualified workforce in this critical sector. Additionally, SB4967 prioritizes increasing the availability of high-quality care for low-income children, which aligns with the goals of enhancing accessibility for families in need.

Summary

SB4967, titled the ‘Child Care and Development Block Grant Reauthorization Act of 2024’, seeks to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990. This bill is designed to provide states with increased flexibility in developing a mixed delivery system for child care services that better meets the needs of children and working parents. It emphasizes parental choice, aiming to empower families to select child care options that suit their unique circumstances, and promotes consumer education to help parents make informed decisions.

Contention

Key points of contention surrounding SB4967 involve the balance between state flexibility in implementing these changes and the potential risks of reducing local control over child care standards. Some stakeholders argue that while state flexibility is essential for tailoring programs to fit local needs, it may dilute the enforcement of essential quality and safety standards necessary for protecting children. The bill’s effectiveness will heavily depend on the states' commitment to utilizing the funds appropriately and ensuring that quality care remains accessible to all families, particularly those in underserved areas.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Similar Bills

US HB8723

Head Start Improvement Act

US SB62

America First ActThis bill limits the eligibility of certain non-U.S. nationals (aliens under federal law) for various federal benefits and grants, makes permanent the child tax credit increase, and requires individuals to provide evidence of satisfactory immigration status prior to receiving specified benefits.The bill prohibits asylees, parolees, and individuals withheld from removal from receiving certain federal benefits, including Medicaid, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, the Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program (SNAP), and Supplemental Security Income. The bill further restricts on the basis of immigration status benefits under federal health programs such as Medicare, emergency disaster relief, housing assistance, food assistance, early childhood assistance, student aid, and Community Development Block Grants.The bill also makes permanent the increase in the child tax credit set to expire at the end of 2025. In addition, this tax credit and the earned income tax credit are not available to asylees, parolees, individuals granted temporary protected status, individuals withheld from removal, individuals granted deferred action for childhood arrivals (DACA) status, and non-U.S. nationals with employment-based immigrant visas.Federal aid is reduced for elementary and secondary education by 50% annually to jurisdictions that do not assist federal immigration enforcement actions (deemed sanctuary jurisdictions under the bill).The bill also removes statutory exemptions for Haitian entrants that allows such entrants to receive various aid.Certain benefits are prohibited, including Medicaid and SNAP, until an applicant’s satisfactory immigration status is proved.The bill prohibits tax-exempt 501(c)(3) charitable organizations from using federal funds to support certain non-U.S. nationals.

US HB746

America First Act

US HB8056

Digital Skills for Today’s Workforce Act

US HB8524

Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act

US SB4407

Elementary and Secondary School Counseling Act

US HB9390

Sober Act of 2024 Supporting Opportunities to Build Everyday Responsibility Act of 2024

US HB2945

Housing for All Act of 2025