Sen. Jim Banks introduces Respect Parents’ Childcare Choices Act

Submitted

Banks

Senator Jim Banks (R-Ind.) introduced on Wednesday the Respect Parents’ Childcare Choices Act. The bill reforms the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) with the aim of better meeting families’ needs, giving parents control over childcare decisions, and ensuring vouchers support all caregiving options.

“The Biden administration’s burdensome overregulation increased the cost of childcare and withheld funding from the childcare arrangements many families prefer,” Sen. Banks said. “Big government never works. The Respect Parents’ Childcare Choices Act puts families first and gives parents the freedom to choose what works best for them.”

Key provisions are:

• Support for relative caregivers: Eases regulations for grandparents, aunts, uncles, and in-home caregivers using CCDBG vouchers and requires states to inform families annually about this option.
• Flexible childcare for working parents: Allows married parents working a combined 40 hours per week to receive direct CCDBG support instead of using third-party providers.
• Ending marriage penalties: Reforms eligibility criteria to ensure single parents aren’t disqualified from assistance if they get married.
• Protecting religious providers: Ensures religious childcare providers can continue receiving federal funds while maintaining their faith-based practices.
• Increased funding: Raises CCDBG funding by $5.25 billion to help more families access childcare, replacing the $5.3 billion Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit, which primarily benefits upper-income households.

Click here to read the full text of the bill. This legislation is endorsed by Heritage Action, American Principles Project, and American Compass.