[Congressional Bills 106th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[S. 17 Introduced in Senate (IS)]







106th CONGRESS
  1st Session
                                 S. 17

To increase the availability, affordability, and quality of child care.


_______________________________________________________________________


                   IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES

                            January 19, 1999

Mr. Dodd (for himself, Mr. Daschle, Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Harkin, Mr. Akaka, 
   Mrs. Murray, Mr. Kohl, Mr. Kerry, Mr. Kerrey, Mrs. Feinstein, Mr. 
  Lautenberg, Mr. Bingaman, Mr. Bryan, Mr. Sarbanes, Mr. Biden, Mrs. 
Boxer, Mr. Breaux, Mr. Durbin, Mr. Johnson, Ms. Landrieu, Ms. Mikulski, 
    Mr. Rockefeller, Mr. Reed, Mr. Schumer, Mr. Torricelli, and Mr. 
  Wellstone) introduced the following bill; which was read twice and 
  referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions

_______________________________________________________________________

                                 A BILL


 
To increase the availability, affordability, and quality of child care.

    Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE; TABLE OF CONTENTS.

    (a) Short Title.--This Act may be cited as the ``Child Care ACCESS 
(Affordable Child Care for Early Success and Security) Act''.
    (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act is as 
follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.
Sec. 2. Findings.
           TITLE I--IMPROVING THE AFFORDABILITY OF CHILD CARE

Sec. 101. Increased appropriations for child care grants.
   TITLE II--ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE AND EARLY CHILDHOOD 
                              DEVELOPMENT

                         Subtitle A--Child Care

Sec. 201. Grants to improve the quality of child care.
             Subtitle B--Young Child Assistance Activities

Sec. 211. Definitions.
Sec. 212. Allotments to States.
Sec. 213. Grants to local collaboratives.
Sec. 214. Supplement not supplant.
Sec. 215. Authorization of appropriations.
         Subtitle C--Loan Cancellation for Child Care Providers

Sec. 221. Loan cancellation.
 TITLE III--EXPANDING THE AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILD 
                                  CARE

Sec. 301. Appropriations for after-school care.
Sec. 302. Amendments to the 21st Century Community Learning Centers 
                            Act.
           TITLE IV--SUPPORTING FAMILY CHOICES IN CHILD CARE

Sec. 401. Expanding the dependent care tax credit.
Sec. 402. Minimum credit allowed for stay-at-home parents.
Sec. 403. Credit made refundable.
            TITLE V--ENCOURAGING PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT

Sec. 501. Allowance of credit for employer expenses for child care 
                            assistance.
Sec. 502. Grants to support public-private partnerships.
               TITLE VI--CHILD CARE IN FEDERAL FACILITIES

Sec. 601. Short title.
Sec. 602. Providing quality child care in Federal facilities.
Sec. 603. Child care services for Federal employees.
Sec. 604. Miscellaneous provisions relating to child care provided by 
                            Federal agencies.
Sec. 605. Requirement to provide lactation support in new Federal child 
                            care facilities.
Sec. 606. Federal child care evaluation.

SEC. 2. FINDINGS.

    Congress makes the following findings:
            (1) Each day an estimated 13,000,000 children spend some 
        part of their day in child care.
            (2) Fifty-four percent of mothers with children between the 
        ages of 0-3 are in the work force. Labor force participation 
        rises to 63 percent for mothers with children under the age of 
        6, and to 78 percent for mothers with children ages 6-17.
            (3) The availability of child care that is reliable, 
        convenient, and affordable helps parents to reach and maintain 
        self-sufficiency and is essential to making the transition from 
        welfare to work.
            (4) Only an estimated 1 out of 10 eligible families receive 
        assistance in paying for child care through the Child Care and 
        Development Block Grant Act of 1990.
            (5) Full-day child care can cost $4,000 to $9,000 a year.
            (6) In many instances, high quality child care services 
        cost little more than mediocre services. An investment of only 
        an additional 10 percent has been found to have a significant 
        impact on quality.
            (7) Only 1 in 7 child care centers provides care that 
        promotes healthy development. Child care at 1 in 8 centers 
        actually threatens children's health and safety.
            (8) The education, training, and salary of a child care 
        provider make the difference between poor and good quality 
        child care.
                    (A) The average salary of a child care provider in 
                a center is only $12,058 a year, which is approximately 
                equal to the poverty level for a family of 3.
                    (B) Home-based providers earn $9,000 a year on 
                average.
            (9) Poor compensation and limited opportunities for 
        professional training and education contribute to high turnover 
        among child care providers, which disrupts the creation of 
        strong provider-child relationships that are critical to 
        children's healthy development.
            (10) Children placed in poor quality child care settings 
        have been found to have delayed language and reading skills, as 
        well as increased aggressive behavior toward other children and 
        adults.
            (11) Nearly 5,000,000 children are home alone after school 
        each week.
            (12) Although it is thought that juvenile crime occurs 
        mostly on evenings and weekends, juvenile crime actually peaks 
        between 3 and 6 p.m.
            (13) Eighth-graders left home alone after school report 
        greater use of cigarettes, alcohol, and marijuana than those in 
        adult-supervised settings.

           TITLE I--IMPROVING THE AFFORDABILITY OF CHILD CARE

SEC. 101. INCREASED APPROPRIATIONS FOR CHILD CARE GRANTS.

    Section 418(a)(3) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 618(a)(3)) 
is amended by striking subparagraphs (C) through (F) and inserting the 
following:
                    ``(C) $3,167,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
                    ``(D) $3,367,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
                    ``(E) $4,067,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
                    ``(F) $4,717,000,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
                    ``(G) $4,717,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.''.

   TITLE II--ENHANCING THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE AND EARLY CHILDHOOD 
                              DEVELOPMENT

                         Subtitle A--Child Care

SEC. 201. GRANTS TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE.

    Section 418 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 618) is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (d) as subsection (e); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (c) the following:
    ``(d) Grants To Improve the Quality of Child Care and Early 
Childhood Development.--
            ``(1) Secretarial authority.--The Secretary shall use the 
        amounts appropriated under paragraph (2) to make grants to 
        States in accordance with this subsection.
            ``(2) Appropriation.--For grants under this section, there 
        are appropriated--
                    ``(A) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
                    ``(B) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
                    ``(C) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
                    ``(D) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
                    ``(E) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
            ``(3) Allotments to states.--The amounts appropriated under 
        paragraph (2) for payments to States under this paragraph shall 
        be allotted among the States in the same manner as amounts 
        (including the redistribution of unused amounts) are allotted 
        or redistributed, as the case may be, under subsection (a)(2), 
        except that the matching requirement of subsection (a)(2)(C) 
        shall not apply to a grant made under this subsection.
            ``(4) Use of funds.--Funds received by a State through a 
        grant made under this subsection may be used for any of the 
        following:
                    ``(A) Bringing provider-child ratios up to 
                standards recommended by nationally recognized child 
                care accrediting bodies.
                    ``(B) Improving the enforcement of licensing 
                standards, including the use of unannounced inspections 
                of child care providers.
                    ``(C) Conducting background checks on child care 
                providers.
                    ``(D) Providing increased payment rates for child 
                care services for infants and for children with special 
                health care needs.
                    ``(E) Providing increased payment rates for child 
                care services offered by licensed or accredited 
                providers.
                    ``(F) Improving the compensation of child care 
                providers.
                    ``(G) Assisting child care providers in becoming 
                licensed or accredited.
                    ``(H) Expanding activities to educate parents on 
                the availability and quality of child care, including 
                the development and operation of resource and referral 
                systems.
                    ``(I) Creating support networks and mentoring and 
                apprenticeship programs for family child care 
                providers.
                    ``(J) Establishing linkages between child care 
                services and health care services.
                    ``(K) Offering training and education to child care 
                providers, including offering scholarships and tax 
                credits to assist with the expenses of obtaining such 
                training and education.
                    ``(L) Providing family support and parent 
                education.
                    ``(M) Ensuring the availability and quality of 
                child care for children with special health care 
                needs.''.

             Subtitle B--Young Child Assistance Activities

SEC. 211. DEFINITIONS.

    In this subtitle:
            (1) Local educational agency.--The term ``local educational 
        agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 14101 of the 
        Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
        8801).
            (2) Poverty line.--The term ``poverty line'' means the 
        poverty line (as defined by the Office of Management and 
        Budget, and revised annually in accordance with section 673(2) 
        of the Community Services Block Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9902(2)) 
        applicable to a family of the size involved.
            (3) Secretary.--The term ``Secretary'' means the Secretary 
        of Health and Human Services.
            (4) State board.--The term ``State board'' means a State 
        Early Learning Coordinating Board established under section 
        212(c).
            (5) Young child.--The term ``young child'' means an 
        individual from birth through age 5.
            (6) Young child assistance activities.--The term ``young 
        child assistance activities'' means the activities described in 
        paragraphs (1) and (2)(A) of section 213(b).

SEC. 212. ALLOTMENTS TO STATES.

    (a) In General.--The Secretary shall make allotments under 
subsection (b) to eligible States to pay for the Federal share of the 
cost of enabling the States to make grants to local collaboratives 
under section 213 for young child assistance activities.
    (b) Allotment.--
            (1) In general.--From the funds appropriated under section 
        215 for each fiscal year and not reserved under subsection (i), 
        the Secretary shall allot to each eligible State an amount that 
        bears the same relationship to such funds as the total number 
        of young children in poverty in the State bears to the total 
        number of young children in poverty in all eligible States.
            (2) Young child in poverty.--In this subsection, the term 
        ``young child in poverty'' means an individual who--
                    (A) is a young child; and
                    (B) is a member of a family with an income below 
                the poverty line.
    (c) State Boards.--
            (1) In general.--In order for a State to be eligible to 
        obtain an allotment under this subtitle, the Governor of the 
        State shall establish, or designate an entity to serve as, a 
        State Early Learning Coordinating Board, which shall receive 
        the allotment and make the grants described in section 213.
            (2) Established board.--A State board established under 
        paragraph (1) shall consist of the Governor and members 
        appointed by the Governor, including--
                    (A) representatives of all State agencies primarily 
                providing services to young children in the State;
                    (B) representatives of business in the State;
                    (C) chief executive officers of political 
                subdivisions in the State;
                    (D) parents of young children in the State;
                    (E) officers of community organizations serving 
                low-income individuals, as defined by the Secretary, in 
                the State;
                    (F) representatives of State nonprofit 
                organizations that represent the interests of young 
                children in poverty, as defined in subsection (b)(2), 
                in the State;
                    (G) representatives of organizations providing 
                services to young children and the parents of young 
                children, such as organizations providing child care, 
                carrying out Head Start programs under the Head Start 
                Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), providing services 
                through a family resource center, providing home 
                visits, or providing health care services, in the 
                State; and
                    (H) representatives of local educational agencies.
            (3) Designated board.--The Governor may designate an entity 
        to serve as the State board under paragraph (1) if the entity 
        includes the Governor and the members described in 
        subparagraphs (A) through (G) of paragraph (2).
            (4) Designated state agency.--The Governor shall designate 
        a State agency that has a representative on the State board to 
        provide administrative oversight concerning the use of funds 
        made available under this subtitle and ensure accountability 
        for the funds.
    (d) Application.--To be eligible to receive an allotment under this 
subtitle, a State board shall annually submit an application to the 
Secretary at such time, in such manner, and containing such information 
as the Secretary may require. At a minimum, the application shall 
contain--
            (1) sufficient information about the entity established or 
        designated under subsection (c) to serve as the State board to 
        enable the Secretary to determine whether the entity complies 
        with the requirements of such subsection;
            (2) a comprehensive State plan for carrying out young child 
        assistance activities;
            (3) an assurance that the State board will provide such 
        information as the Secretary shall by regulation require on the 
        amount of State and local public funds expended in the State to 
        provide services for young children; and
            (4) an assurance that the State board shall annually 
        compile and submit to the Secretary information from the 
        reports referred to in section 213(e)(2)(F)(iii) that describes 
        the results referred to in section 213(e)(2)(F)(i).
    (e) Federal Share.--
            (1) In general.--The Federal share of the cost described in 
        subsection (a) shall be--
                    (A) 85 percent, in the case of a State for which 
                the Federal medical assistance percentage (as defined 
                in section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act (42 
                U.S.C. 1396d(b))) is not less than 50 percent, but is 
                less than 60 percent;
                    (B) 87.5 percent, in the case of a State for which 
                such percentage is not less than 60 percent, but is 
                less than 70 percent; and
                    (C) 90 percent, in the case of any State not 
                described in subparagraph (A) or (B).
            (2) State share.--
                    (A) In general.--The State shall contribute the 
                remaining share (referred to in this paragraph as the 
                ``State share'') of the cost described in subsection 
                (a).
                    (B) Form.--The State share of the cost shall be in 
                cash.
                    (C) Sources.--The State may provide for the State 
                share of the cost from State or local sources, or 
                through donations from private entities.
    (f) State Administrative Costs.--
            (1) In general.--A State may use not more than 5 percent of 
        the funds made available through an allotment made under this 
        subtitle to pay for a portion, not to exceed 50 percent, of 
        State administrative costs related to carrying out this 
        subtitle.
            (2) Waiver.--A State may apply to the Secretary for a 
        waiver of paragraph (1). The Secretary may grant the waiver if 
        the Secretary finds that unusual circumstances prevent the 
        State from complying with paragraph (1). A State that receives 
        such a waiver may use not more than 7.5 percent of the funds 
        made available through the allotment to pay for the State 
        administrative costs.
    (g) Monitoring.--The Secretary shall monitor the activities of 
States that receive allotments under this subtitle to ensure compliance 
with the requirements of this subtitle, including compliance with the 
State plans.
    (h) Enforcement.--If the Secretary determines that a State that has 
received an allotment under this subtitle is not complying with a 
requirement of this subtitle, the Secretary may--
            (1) provide technical assistance to the State to improve 
        the ability of the State to comply with the requirement;
            (2) reduce, by not less than 5 percent, an allotment made 
        to the State under this section, for the second determination 
        of noncompliance;
            (3) reduce, by not less than 25 percent, an allotment made 
        to the State under this section, for the third determination of 
        noncompliance; or
            (4) revoke the eligibility of the State to receive 
        allotments under this section, for the fourth or subsequent 
        determination of noncompliance.
    (i) Technical Assistance.--From the funds appropriated under 
section 215 for each fiscal year, the Secretary shall reserve not more 
than 1 percent of the funds to pay for the costs of providing technical 
assistance. The Secretary shall use the reserved funds to enter into 
contracts with eligible entities to provide technical assistance, to 
local collaboratives that receive grants under section 213, relating to 
the functions of the local collaboratives under this subtitle.

SEC. 213. GRANTS TO LOCAL COLLABORATIVES.

    (a) In General.--A State board that receives an allotment under 
section 212 shall use the funds made available through the allotment, 
and the State contribution made under section 212(e)(2), to pay for the 
Federal and State shares of the cost of making grants, on a competitive 
basis, to local collaboratives to carry out young child assistance 
activities.
    (b) Use of Funds.--A local collaborative that receives a grant made 
under subsection (a)--
            (1) shall use funds made available through the grant to 
        provide, in a community, activities that consist of education 
        and supportive services, such as--
                    (A) home visits for parents of young children;
                    (B) services provided through community-based 
                family resource centers for such parents; and
                    (C) collaborative pre-school efforts that link 
                parenting education for such parents to early childhood 
                learning services for young children; and
            (2) may use funds made available through the grant--
                    (A) to provide, in the community, activities that 
                consist of--
                            (i) activities designed to strengthen the 
                        quality of child care for young children and 
                        expand the supply of high quality child care 
                        services for young children;
                            (ii) health care services for young 
                        children, including increasing the level of 
                        immunization for young children in the 
                        community, providing preventive health care 
                        screening and education, and expanding health 
                        care services in schools, child care 
                        facilities, clinics in public housing (as 
                        defined in section 3(b) of the United States 
                        Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437a(b))), and 
                        mobile dental and vision clinics;
                            (iii) services for children with 
                        disabilities who are young children; and
                            (iv) activities designed to assist schools 
                        in providing educational and other support 
                        services to young children, and parents of 
                        young children, in the community, to be carried 
                        out during extended hours when appropriate; and
                    (B) to pay for the salary and expenses of the 
                administrator described in subsection (e)(4), in 
                accordance with such regulations as the Secretary shall 
                prescribe.
    (c) Multi-Year Funding.--In making grants under this section, a 
State board may make grants for grant periods of more than 1 year to 
local collaboratives with demonstrated success in carrying out young 
child assistance activities.
    (d) Local Collaboratives.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
this section for a community, a local collaborative shall demonstrate 
that the collaborative--
            (1) is able to provide, through a coordinated effort, young 
        child assistance activities to young children, and parents of 
        young children, in the community; and
            (2) includes--
                    (A) all public agencies primarily providing 
                services to young children in the community;
                    (B) businesses in the community;
                    (C) representatives of the local government for the 
                county or other political subdivision in which the 
                community is located;
                    (D) parents of young children in the community;
                    (E) officers of community organizations serving 
                low-income individuals, as defined by the Secretary, in 
                the community;
                    (F) community-based organizations providing 
                services to young children and the parents of young 
                children, such as organizations providing child care, 
                carrying out Head Start programs, or providing pre-
                kindergarten education, mental health, or family 
                support services; and
                    (G) nonprofit organizations that serve the 
                community and that are described in section 501(c)(3) 
                of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 and exempt from 
                taxation under section 501(a) of such Code.
    (e) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, a local collaborative shall submit an application to the State 
board at such time, in such manner, and containing such information as 
the State board may require. At a minimum, the application shall 
contain--
            (1) sufficient information about the entity described in 
        subsection (d)(2) to enable the State board to determine 
        whether the entity complies with the requirements of such 
        subsection; and
            (2) a comprehensive plan for carrying out young child 
        assistance activities in the community, including information 
        indicating--
                    (A) the young child assistance activities available 
                in the community, as of the date of submission of the 
                plan, including information on efforts to coordinate 
                the activities;
                    (B) the unmet needs of young children, and parents 
                of young children, in the community for young child 
                assistance activities;
                    (C) the manner in which funds made available 
                through the grant will be used--
                            (i) to meet the needs, including expanding 
                        and strengthening the activities described in 
                        subparagraph (A) and establishing additional 
                        young child assistance activities; and
                            (ii) to improve results for young children 
                        in the community;
                    (D) how the local cooperative will use at least 60 
                percent of the funds made available through the grant 
                to provide young child assistance activities to young 
                children and parents described in subsection (f);
                    (E) the comprehensive methods that the 
                collaborative will use to ensure that--
                            (i) each entity carrying out young child 
                        assistance activities through the collaborative 
                        will coordinate the activities with such 
                        activities carried out by other entities 
                        through the collaborative; and
                            (ii) the local collaborative will 
                        coordinate the activities of the local 
                        collaborative with--
                                    (I) other services provided to 
                                young children, and the parents of 
                                young children, in the community; and
                                    (II) the activities of other local 
                                collaboratives serving young children 
                                and families in the community, if any; 
                                and
                    (F) the manner in which the collaborative will, at 
                such intervals as the State board may require, submit 
                information to the State board to enable the State 
                board to carry out monitoring under section 212(g), 
                including the manner in which the collaborative will--
                            (i) evaluate the results achieved by the 
                        collaborative for young children and parents of 
                        young children through activities carried out 
                        through the grant;
                            (ii) evaluate how services can be more 
                        effectively delivered to young children and the 
                        parents of young children; and
                            (iii) prepare and submit to the State board 
                        annual reports describing the results;
            (3) an assurance that the local collaborative will comply 
        with the requirements of subparagraphs (D), (E), and (F) of 
        paragraph (2), and subsection (g); and
            (4) an assurance that the local collaborative will hire an 
        administrator to oversee the provision of the activities 
        described in paragraphs (1) and (2)(A) of subsection (b).
    (f) Distribution.--In making grants under this section, the State 
board shall ensure that at least 60 percent of the funds made available 
through each grant are used to provide the young child assistance 
activities to young children (and parents of young children) who reside 
in school districts in which half or more of the students receive free 
or reduced price lunches under the National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
1751 et seq.).
    (g) Local Share.--
            (1) In general.--The local collaborative shall contribute a 
        percentage (referred to in this subsection as the ``local 
        share'') of the cost of carrying out the young child assistance 
        activities.
            (2) Percentage.--The Secretary shall by regulation specify 
        the percentage referred to in paragraph (1).
            (3) Form.--The local share of the cost shall be in cash.
            (4) Source.--The local collaborative shall provide for the 
        local share of the cost through donations from private 
        entities.
            (5) Waiver.--The State board shall waive the requirement of 
        paragraph (1) for poor rural and urban areas, as defined by the 
        Secretary.
    (h) Monitoring.--The State board shall monitor the activities of 
local collaboratives that receive grants under this subtitle to ensure 
compliance with the requirements of this subtitle.

SEC. 214. SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT.

    Funds appropriated under this subtitle shall be used to supplement 
and not supplant other Federal, State, and local public funds expended 
to provide services for young children.

SEC. 215. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

    There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this subtitle 
$250,000,000 for fiscal year 2000, $250,000,000 for fiscal year 2001, 
$500,000,000 for fiscal year 2002, $500,000,000 for fiscal year 2003, 
$1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2004, and such sums as may be necessary 
for fiscal year 2005 and each subsequent fiscal year.

         Subtitle C--Loan Cancellation for Child Care Providers

SEC. 221. LOAN CANCELLATION.

    Section 465(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
1087ee(a)) is amended--
            (1) in paragraph (2)--
                    (A) by redesignating subparagraphs (G), (H), and 
                (I) as subparagraphs (H), (I), and (J), respectively; 
                and
                    (B) by inserting after subparagraph (F), the 
                following:
                    ``(G) as a full-time child care provider or 
                educator--
                            ``(i) in a child care facility operated by 
                        an entity that meets the applicable State or 
                        local government licensing, certification, 
                        approval, or registration requirements, if any; 
                        and
                            ``(ii) who has a degree in early childhood 
                        education;''; and
            (2) in paragraph (3)(A)--
                    (A) in clause (i), by striking ``(G), (H), or (I)'' 
                and inserting ``(H), (I), or (J)''; and
                    (B) in clause (ii), by inserting ``or (G)'' after 
                ``subparagraph (B)''.

 TITLE III--EXPANDING THE AVAILABILITY AND QUALITY OF SCHOOL-AGE CHILD 
                                  CARE

SEC. 301. APPROPRIATIONS FOR AFTER-SCHOOL CARE.

    (a) Grants.--Section 418 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 
618), as amended by section 201, is amended--
            (1) by redesignating subsection (e) as subsection (f); and
            (2) by inserting after subsection (d) the following:
    ``(e) Grants To Increase the Availability and Quality of School-Age 
Child Care.--
            ``(1) Secretarial authority.--The Secretary shall use the 
        amounts appropriated under paragraph (2) to make grants to 
        States in accordance with this subsection.
            ``(2) Appropriation.--For grants under this section, there 
        are appropriated--
                    ``(A) $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2000;
                    ``(B) $200,000,000 for fiscal year 2001;
                    ``(C) $300,000,000 for fiscal year 2002;
                    ``(D) $350,000,000 for fiscal year 2003; and
                    ``(E) $1,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2004.
            ``(3) Allotments to states.--The amounts appropriated under 
        paragraph (2) for payments to States under this paragraph shall 
        be allotted among the States in the same manner as amounts 
        (including the redistribution of unused amounts) are allotted 
        or redistributed, as the case may be, under subsection (a)(2), 
        except that the matching requirement of subsection (a)(2)(C) 
        shall not apply to a grant made under this subsection.
            ``(4) Use of funds.--Funds received by a State through a 
        grant made under this subsection shall be used for the 
        provision of child care services before and after regular 
        school hours and during months in which schools are not in 
        session.''.
    (b) Definition of Eligible Child.--Section 658P(4)(A) of the Child 
Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n(4)(A)) is 
amended by striking ``13'' and inserting ``16''.

SEC. 302. AMENDMENTS TO THE 21ST CENTURY COMMUNITY LEARNING CENTERS 
              ACT.

    (a) Program Authorization.--Section 10903 of the 21st Century 
Community Learning Centers Act (20 U.S.C. 8243) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)--
                    (A) by striking ``rural and inner-city''; and
                    (B) by striking ``a rural or inner-city community'' 
                and inserting ``communities'';
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``, among urban and 
        rural areas of the United States, and among urban and rural 
        areas of a State'';
            (3) by redesignating subsections (c) and (d) as subsections 
        (d) and (e), respectively; and
            (4) by inserting after subsection (b) the following:
    ``(c) Priority of Distribution.--In awarding grants under this 
part, the Secretary shall give priority to rural, urban, and low-income 
communities.''.
    (b) Application Requirements.--Section 10904 of the 21st Century 
Community Learning Centers Act (20 U.S.C. 8244) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a)(3)(B), by inserting ``, including the 
        programs under the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act 
        of 1990,'' after ``coordinated''; and
            (2) in subsection (b), by striking ``a broad selection'' 
        and all that follows and inserting ``child care services before 
        or after regular school hours that include mentoring programs, 
        academic assistance, recreational activities, or technology 
        training, and that may include drug, alcohol, and gang 
        prevention, job skills preparation, or health and nutrition 
        counseling.''.
    (c) Uses of Funds.--Section 10905 of the 21st Century Community 
Learning Centers Act (20 U.S.C. 8245) is amended--
            (1) in the matter preceding paragraph (1), by striking 
        ``not less than four'' and inserting ``any''; and
            (2) by striking paragraph (3) and inserting the following:
            ``(3) Child care services.''.
    (d) Authorization of Appropriations.--Section 10907 of the 21st 
Century Community Learning Centers Act (20 U.S.C. 8247) is amended by 
striking ``$20,000,000 for fiscal year 1995'' and inserting 
``$600,000,000 for fiscal year 1999''.

           TITLE IV--SUPPORTING FAMILY CHOICES IN CHILD CARE

SEC. 401. EXPANDING THE DEPENDENT CARE TAX CREDIT.

    (a) Percentage of Employment-Related Expenses Determined by 
Taxpayer Status.--Section 21(a)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
(defining applicable percentage) is amended to read as follows:
            ``(2) Applicable percentage defined.--For purposes of 
        paragraph (1), the term `applicable percentage' means--
                    ``(A) except as provided in subparagraph (B), 50 
                percent reduced (but not below 20 percent) by 1 
                percentage point for each $1,000, or fraction thereof, 
                by which the taxpayers's adjusted gross income for the 
                taxable year exceeds $30,000, and
                    ``(B) in the case of employment-related expenses 
                described in subsection (e)(11), 50 percent reduced 
                (but not below zero) by 1 percentage point for each 
                $800, or fraction thereof, by which the taxpayers's 
                adjusted gross income for the taxable year exceeds 
                $30,000.''.
    (b) Inflation Adjustment for Allowable Expenses.--Section 21(c) of 
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to dollar limit on amount 
creditable) is amended by striking ``The amount determined'' and 
inserting ``In the case of any taxable year beginning after 1999, each 
dollar amount referred to in paragraphs (1) and (2) shall be increased 
by an amount equal to such dollar amount multiplied by the cost-of-
living adjustment determined under section 1(f)(3) for the calendar 
year in which the taxable year begins, by substituting `calendar year 
1998' for `calendar year 1992' in subparagraph (B) thereof. If any 
dollar amount after being increased under the preceding sentence is not 
a multiple of $10, such dollar amount shall be rounded to the nearest 
multiple of $10. The amount determined''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section apply to 
taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.

SEC. 402. MINIMUM CREDIT ALLOWED FOR STAY-AT-HOME PARENTS.

    (a) In General.--Section 21(e) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 
(relating to special rules) is amended by adding at the end the 
following:
            ``(11) Minimum credit allowed for stay-at-home parents.--
        Notwithstanding subsection (d), in the case of any taxpayer 
        with one or more qualifying individuals described in subsection 
        (b)(1)(A) under the age of 1 at any time during the taxable 
        year, such taxpayer shall be deemed to have employment-related 
        expenses with respect to such qualifying individuals in an 
        amount equal to the sum of--
                    ``(A) $90 for each month in such taxable year 
                during which at least one of such qualifying 
                individuals is under the age of 1, and
                    ``(B) the amount of employment-related expenses 
                otherwise incurred for such qualifying individuals for 
                the taxable year (determined under this section without 
                regard to this paragraph).''.
    (b) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section apply to 
taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.

SEC. 403. CREDIT MADE REFUNDABLE.

    (a) In General.--Part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 of the 
Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to credits against tax) is 
amended--
            (1) by redesignating section 35 as section 36, and
            (2) by redesignating section 21 as section 35.
    (b) Advance Payment of Credit.--Chapter 25 of such Code (relating 
to general provisions relating to employment taxes) is amended by 
inserting after section 3507 the following:

``SEC. 3507A. ADVANCE PAYMENT OF DEPENDENT CARE CREDIT.

    ``(a) General Rule.--Except as otherwise provided in this section, 
every employer making payment of wages with respect to whom a dependent 
care eligibility certificate is in effect shall, at the time of paying 
such wages, make an additional payment equal to such employee's 
dependent care advance amount.
    ``(b) Dependent Care Eligibility Certificate.--For purposes of this 
title, a dependent care eligibility certificate is a statement 
furnished by an employee to the employer which--
            ``(1) certifies that the employee will be eligible to 
        receive the credit provided by section 35 for the taxable year,
            ``(2) certifies that the employee reasonably expects to be 
        an applicable taxpayer for the taxable year,
            ``(3) certifies that the employee does not have a dependent 
        care eligibility certificate in effect for the calendar year 
        with respect to the payment of wages by another employer,
            ``(4) states whether or not the employee's spouse has a 
        dependent care eligibility certificate in effect,
            ``(5) states the number of qualifying individuals in the 
        household maintained by the employee, and
            ``(6) estimates the amount of employment-related expenses 
        for the calendar year.
    ``(c) Dependent Care Advance Amount.--
            ``(1) In general.--For purposes of this title, the term 
        `dependent care advance amount' means, with respect to any 
        payroll period, the amount determined--
                    ``(A) on the basis of the employee's wages from the 
                employer for such period,
                    ``(B) on the basis of the employee's estimated 
                employment-related expenses included in the dependent 
                care eligibility certificate, and
                    ``(C) in accordance with tables provided by the 
                Secretary.
            ``(2) Advance amount tables.--The tables referred to in 
        paragraph (1)(C) shall be similar in form to the tables 
        prescribed under section 3402 and, to the maximum extent 
        feasible, shall be coordinated with such tables and the tables 
        prescribed under section 3507(c).
    ``(d) Other Rules.--For purposes of this section, rules similar to 
the rules of subsections (d) and (e) of section 3507 shall apply.
    ``(e) Definitions.--For purposes of this section, terms used in 
this section which are defined in section 35 shall have the respective 
meanings given such terms by section 35.''.
    (c) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 35(a)(1) of such Code, as redesignated by 
        paragraph (1), is amended by striking ``chapter'' and inserting 
        ``subtitle''.
            (2) Section 35(e) of such Code, as so redesignated and 
        amended by subsection (c), is amended by adding at the end the 
        following:
            ``(12) Coordination with advance payments and minimum 
        tax.--Rules similar to the rules of subsections (g) and (h) of 
        section 32 shall apply for purposes of this section.''.
            (3) Sections 23(f)(1) and 129(a)(2)(C) of such Code are 
        each amended by striking ``section 21(e)'' and inserting 
        ``section 35(e)''.
            (4) Section 129(b)(2) of such Code is amended by striking 
        ``section 21(d)(2)'' and inserting ``section 35(d)(2)''.
            (5) Section 129(e)(1) of such Code is amended by striking 
        ``section 21(b)(2)'' and inserting ``section 35(b)(2)''.
            (6) Section 213(e) of such Code is amended by striking 
        ``section 21'' and inserting ``section 35''.
            (7) Section 995(f)(2)(C) of such Code is amended by 
        striking ``and 34'' and inserting ``34, and 35''.
            (8) Section 6211(b)(4)(A) of such Code is amended by 
        striking ``and 34'' and inserting ``, 34, and 35''.
            (9) Section 6213(g)(2)(H) of such Code is amended by 
        striking ``section 21'' and inserting ``section 35''.
            (10) Section 6213(g)(2)(L) of such Code is amended by 
        striking ``section 21, 24, or 32'' and inserting ``section 24, 
        32, or 35''.
            (11) The table of sections for subpart C of part IV of 
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by striking 
        the item relating to section 35 and inserting the following:

                              ``Sec. 35. Dependent care services.
                              ``Sec. 36. Overpayments of tax.''.
            (12) The table of sections for subpart A of such part IV is 
        amended by striking the item relating to section 21.
            (13) The table of sections for chapter 25 of such Code is 
        amended by adding after the item relating to section 3507 the 
        following:

                              ``Sec. 3507A. Advance payment of 
                                        dependent care credit.''.
            (14) Section 1324(b)(2) of title 31, United States Code, is 
        amended by inserting before the period ``, or enacted by the 
        Child Care ACCESS (Affordable Child Care for Early Success and 
        Security) Act''.
    (d) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section apply to 
taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.

            TITLE V--ENCOURAGING PRIVATE SECTOR INVOLVEMENT

SEC. 501. ALLOWANCE OF CREDIT FOR EMPLOYER EXPENSES FOR CHILD CARE 
              ASSISTANCE.

    (a) In General.--Subpart D of part IV of subchapter A of chapter 1 
of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 (relating to business related 
credits) is amended by adding at the end the following:

``SEC. 45D. EMPLOYER-PROVIDED CHILD CARE CREDIT.

    ``(a) Allowance of Credit.--For purposes of section 38, the 
employer-provided child care credit determined under this section for 
the taxable year is an amount equal to 25 percent of the qualified 
child care expenditures of the taxpayer for such taxable year.
    ``(b) Dollar Limitation.--The credit allowable under subsection (a) 
for any taxable year shall not exceed $150,000.
    ``(c) Definitions.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Qualified child care expenditure.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified child care 
                expenditure' means any amount paid or incurred--
                            ``(i) to acquire, construct, rehabilitate, 
                        or expand property--
                                    ``(I) which is to be used as part 
                                of a qualified child care facility of 
                                the taxpayer,
                                    ``(II) with respect to which a 
                                deduction for depreciation (or 
                                amortization in lieu of depreciation) 
                                is allowable, and
                                    ``(III) which does not constitute 
                                part of the principal residence (within 
                                the meaning of section 121) of the 
                                taxpayer or any employee of the 
                                taxpayer,
                            ``(ii) for the operating costs of a 
                        qualified child care facility of the taxpayer, 
                        including costs related to the training of 
                        employees of the child care facility, to 
                        scholarship programs, to the providing of 
                        differential compensation to employees based on 
                        level of child care training, and to expenses 
                        associated with achieving accreditation,
                            ``(iii) under a contract with a qualified 
                        child care facility to provide child care 
                        services to employees of the taxpayer, or
                            ``(iv) under a contract to provide child 
                        care resource and referral services to 
                        employees of the taxpayer.
                    ``(B) Exclusion for amounts funded by grants, 
                etc.--The term `qualified child care expenditure' shall 
                not include any amount to the extent such amount is 
                funded by any grant, contract, or otherwise by another 
                person (or any governmental entity).
                    ``(C) Limitation on allowable operating costs.--The 
                term `qualified child care expenditure' shall not 
                include any amount described in subparagraph (A)(ii) if 
                such amount is paid or incurred after the third taxable 
                year in which a credit under this section is taken by 
                the taxpayer, unless the qualified child care facility 
                of the taxpayer has received accreditation from a 
                nationally recognized accrediting body before the end 
                of such third taxable year.
            ``(2) Qualified child care facility.--
                    ``(A) In general.--The term `qualified child care 
                facility' means a facility--
                            ``(i) the principal use of which is to 
                        provide child care assistance, and
                            ``(ii) which meets the requirements of all 
                        applicable laws and regulations of the State or 
                        local government in which it is located, 
                        including, but not limited to, the licensing of 
                        the facility as a child care facility.
                Clause (i) shall not apply to a facility which is the 
                principal residence (within the meaning of section 121) 
                of the operator of the facility.
                    ``(B) Special rules with respect to a taxpayer.--A 
                facility shall not be treated as a qualified child care 
                facility with respect to a taxpayer unless--
                            ``(i) enrollment in the facility is open to 
                        employees of the taxpayer during the taxable 
                        year,
                            ``(ii) the facility is not the principal 
                        trade or business of the taxpayer unless at 
                        least 30 percent of the enrollees of such 
                        facility are dependents of employees of the 
                        taxpayer, and
                            ``(iii) the costs to employees of child 
                        care services at such facility are determined 
                        on a sliding fee scale.
    ``(d) Recapture of Acquisition and Construction Credit.--
            ``(1) In general.--If, as of the close of any taxable year, 
        there is a recapture event with respect to any qualified child 
        care facility of the taxpayer, then the tax of the taxpayer 
        under this chapter for such taxable year shall be increased by 
        an amount equal to the product of--
                    ``(A) the applicable recapture percentage, and
                    ``(B) the aggregate decrease in the credits allowed 
                under section 38 for all prior taxable years which 
                would have resulted if the qualified child care 
                expenditures of the taxpayer described in subsection 
                (c)(1)(A) with respect to such facility had been zero.
            ``(2) Applicable recapture percentage.--
                    ``(A) In general.--For purposes of this subsection, 
                the applicable recapture percentage shall be determined 
                from the following table:

  
                                                         The applicable
  
                                                              recapture
            ``If the recapture event occurs in:
                                                         percentage is:
                Years 1-3............................          100     
                Year 4...............................           85     
                Year 5...............................           70     
                Year 6...............................           55     
                Year 7...............................           40     
                Year 8...............................           25     
                Years 9 and 10.......................           10     
                Years 11 and thereafter..............            0.    
                    ``(B) Years.--For purposes of subparagraph (A), 
                year 1 shall begin on the first day of the taxable year 
                in which the qualified child care facility is placed in 
                service by the taxpayer.
            ``(3) Recapture event defined.--For purposes of this 
        subsection, the term `recapture event' means--
                    ``(A) Cessation of operation.--The cessation of the 
                operation of the facility as a qualified child care 
                facility.
                    ``(B) Change in ownership.--
                            ``(i) In general.--Except as provided in 
                        clause (ii), the disposition of a taxpayer's 
                        interest in a qualified child care facility 
                        with respect to which the credit described in 
                        subsection (a) was allowable.
                            ``(ii) Agreement to assume recapture 
                        liability.--Clause (i) shall not apply if the 
                        person acquiring such interest in the facility 
                        agrees in writing to assume the recapture 
                        liability of the person disposing of such 
                        interest in effect immediately before such 
                        disposition. In the event of such an 
                        assumption, the person acquiring the interest 
                        in the facility shall be treated as the 
                        taxpayer for purposes of assessing any 
                        recapture liability (computed as if there had 
                        been no change in ownership).
            ``(4) Special rules.--
                    ``(A) Tax benefit rule.--The tax for the taxable 
                year shall be increased under paragraph (1) only with 
                respect to credits allowed by reason of this section 
                which were used to reduce tax liability. In the case of 
                credits not so used to reduce tax liability, the 
                carryforwards and carrybacks under section 39 shall be 
                appropriately adjusted.
                    ``(B) No credits against tax.--Any increase in tax 
                under this subsection shall not be treated as a tax 
                imposed by this chapter for purposes of determining the 
                amount of any credit under subpart A, B, or D of this 
                part.
                    ``(C) No recapture by reason of casualty loss.--The 
                increase in tax under this subsection shall not apply 
                to a cessation of operation of the facility as a 
                qualified child care facility by reason of a casualty 
                loss to the extent such loss is restored by 
                reconstruction or replacement within a reasonable 
                period established by the Secretary.
    ``(e) Special Rules.--For purposes of this section--
            ``(1) Aggregation rules.--All persons which are treated as 
        a single employer under subsections (a) and (b) of section 52 
        shall be treated as a single taxpayer.
            ``(2) Pass-thru in the case of estates and trusts.--Under 
        regulations prescribed by the Secretary, rules similar to the 
        rules of subsection (d) of section 52 shall apply.
            ``(3) Allocation in the case of partnerships.--In the case 
        of partnerships, the credit shall be allocated among partners 
        under regulations prescribed by the Secretary.
    ``(f) No Double Benefit.--
            ``(1) Reduction in basis.--For purposes of this subtitle--
                    ``(A) In general.--If a credit is determined under 
                this section with respect to any property by reason of 
                expenditures described in subsection (c)(1)(A), the 
                basis of such property shall be reduced by the amount 
of the credit so determined.
                    ``(B) Certain dispositions.--If during any taxable 
                year there is a recapture amount determined with 
                respect to any property the basis of which was reduced 
                under subparagraph (A), the basis of such property 
                (immediately before the event resulting in such 
                recapture) shall be increased by an amount equal to 
                such recapture amount. For purposes of the preceding 
                sentence, the term `recapture amount' means any 
                increase in tax (or adjustment in carrybacks or 
                carryovers) determined under subsection (d).
            ``(2) Other deductions and credits.--No deduction or credit 
        shall be allowed under any other provision of this chapter with 
        respect to the amount of the credit determined under this 
        section.''.
    (b) Conforming Amendments.--
            (1) Section 38(b) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is 
        amended--
                    (A) by striking out ``plus'' at the end of 
                paragraph (11),
                    (B) by striking out the period at the end of 
                paragraph (12), and inserting a comma and ``plus'', and
                    (C) by adding at the end the following new 
                paragraph:
            ``(13) the employer-provided child care credit determined 
        under section 45D.''.
            (2) The table of sections for subpart D of part IV of 
        subchapter A of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by adding at 
        the end the following new item:

                              ``Sec. 45D. Employer-provided child care 
                                        credit.''.
    (c) Effective Date.--The amendments made by this section shall 
apply to taxable years beginning after December 31, 1999.

SEC. 502. GRANTS TO SUPPORT PUBLIC-PRIVATE PARTNERSHIPS.

    (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services (in 
this section referred to as the ``Secretary'') shall establish a 
program to award grants to local communities for the purpose of 
expanding the availability of, and improving the quality of, child care 
on a community-wide basis.
    (b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under this 
section, a local community shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an 
application at such time and in such manner as the Secretary may 
require, and that includes--
            (1) an assurance that the matching funds required under 
        subsection (c) will be provided;
            (2) evidence of collaboration with parents, schools, 
        employers, State and local government agencies, and child care 
        agencies, including resource and referral agencies, in the 
        preparation of the application;
            (3) an assessment of child care resources and needs within 
        the community; and
            (4) any additional information that the Secretary may 
        require.
    (c) Matching Requirement.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
this section a local community shall provide assurances to the 
Secretary that the community will provide matching funds in the amount 
of $1 for every $2 provided under the grant. Such funds shall be 
generated from private sources, including employers and philanthropic 
organizations.
    (d) Use of Funds.--A local community shall use the funds provided 
under a grant awarded under this section only for the purposes 
described in subsection (a).
    (e) Administration.--A local community awarded a grant under this 
section may authorize a public or nonprofit entity within the community 
to act as the fiscal agent for the administration of the program funded 
under the grant.
    (f) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $100,000,000 for each of fiscal 
years 2000 through 2004.

      TITLE VI--ENSURING THE QUALITY OF FEDERAL CHILD CARE CENTERS

SEC. 601. QUALITY CHILD CARE FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section:
            (1) Accredited child care center.--The term ``accredited 
        child care center'' means--
                    (A) a center that is accredited, by a child care 
                credentialing or accreditation entity recognized by a 
                State, to provide child care to children in the State 
                (except children who a tribal organization elects to 
                serve through a center described in subparagraph (B));
                    (B) a center that is accredited, by a child care 
                credentialing or accreditation entity recognized by a 
                tribal organization, to provide child care for children 
                served by the tribal organization;
                    (C) a center that is used as a Head Start center 
                under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) and 
                is in compliance with any applicable performance 
                standards established by regulation under such Act for 
                Head Start programs; or
                    (D) a military child development center (as defined 
                in section 1798(1) of title 10, United States Code).
            (2) Child care credentialing or accreditation entity.--The 
        term ``child care credentialing or accreditation entity'' means 
        a nonprofit private organization or public agency that--
                    (A) is recognized by a State agency or tribal 
                organization; and
                    (B) accredits a center or credentials an individual 
                to provide child care on the basis of--
                            (i) an accreditation or credentialing 
                        instrument based on peer-validated research;
                            (ii) compliance with applicable State and 
                        local licensing requirements, or standards 
                        described in section 658E(c)(2)(E)(ii) of the 
                        Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (42 
                        U.S.C. 9858c(c)(2)(E)(ii)), as appropriate, for 
                        the center or individual;
                            (iii) outside monitoring of the center or 
                        individual; and
                            (iv) criteria that provide assurances of--
                                    (I) compliance with age-appropriate 
                                health and safety standards at the 
                                center or by the individual;
                                    (II) use of age-appropriate 
                                developmental and educational 
                                activities, as an integral part of the 
                                child care program carried out at the 
                                center or by the individual; and
                                    (III) use of ongoing staff 
                                development or training activities for 
                                the staff of the center or the 
                                individual, including related skills-
                                based testing.
            (3) Credentialed child care professional.--The term 
        ``credentialed child care professional'' means--
                    (A) an individual who is credentialed, by a child 
                care credentialing or accreditation entity recognized 
                by a State, to provide child care to children in the 
                State (except children who a tribal organization elects 
                to serve through an individual described in 
                subparagraph (B)); or
                    (B) an individual who is credentialed, by a child 
                care credentialing or accreditation entity recognized 
                by a tribal organization, to provide child care for 
                children served by the tribal organization.
            (4) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block 
        Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9858n).
    (b) Providing Quality Child Care in Federal Facilities.--
            (1) Definitions.--In this subsection:
                    (A) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' 
                means the Administrator of General Services.
                    (B) Entity sponsoring a child care center.--The 
                term ``entity sponsoring a child care center'' means a 
                Federal agency that operates, or an entity that enters 
                into a contract or licensing agreement with a Federal 
                agency to operate, a child care center.
                    (C) Executive agency.--The term ``Executive 
                agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 105 
                of title 5, United States Code, except that the term--
                            (i) does not include the Department of 
                        Defense; and
                            (ii) includes the General Services 
                        Administration, with respect to the 
                        administration of a facility described in 
                        subparagraph (D)(ii).
                    (D) Executive facility.--The term ``executive 
                facility''--
                            (i) means a facility that is owned or 
                        leased by an Executive agency; and
                            (ii) includes a facility that is owned or 
                        leased by the General Services Administration 
                        on behalf of a judicial office.
                    (E) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' 
                means an Executive agency, a judicial office, or a 
                legislative office.
                    (F) Judicial facility.--The term ``judicial 
                facility'' means a facility that is owned or leased by 
                a judicial office (other than a facility that is also a 
                facility described in subparagraph (D)(ii)).
                    (G) Judicial office.--The term ``judicial office'' 
                means an entity of the judicial branch of the Federal 
                Government.
                    (H) Legislative facility.--The term ``legislative 
                facility'' means a facility that is owned or leased by 
                a legislative office.
                    (I) Legislative office.--The term ``legislative 
                office'' means an entity of the legislative branch of 
                the Federal Government.
            (2) Executive branch standards and compliance.--
                    (A) State and local licensing requirements.--
                            (i) In general.--Any entity sponsoring a 
                        child care center in an executive facility 
                        shall--
                                    (I) obtain the appropriate State 
                                and local licenses for the center; and
                                    (II) in a location where the State 
                                or locality does not license executive 
                                facilities, comply with the appropriate 
                                State and local licensing requirements 
                                related to the provision of child care.
                            (ii) Compliance.--Not later than 6 months 
                        after the date of enactment of this Act--
                                    (I) the entity shall comply, or 
                                make substantial progress (as 
                                determined by the Administrator) toward 
                                complying, with clause (i); and
                                    (II) any contract or licensing 
                                agreement used by an Executive agency 
                                for the operation of such a child care 
                                center shall include a condition that 
                                the child care be provided by an entity 
                                that complies with the appropriate 
                                State and local licensing requirements 
                                related to the provision of child care.
                    (B) Health, safety, and facility standards.--The 
                Administrator shall by regulation establish standards 
                relating to health, safety, facilities, facility 
                design, and other aspects of child care that the 
                Administrator determines to be appropriate for child 
                care centers in executive facilities, and require child 
                care centers, and entities sponsoring child care 
                centers, in executive facilities to comply with the 
                standards.
                    (C) Accreditation standards.--
                            (i) In general.--The Administrator shall 
                        issue regulations requiring, to the maximum 
                        extent possible, any entity sponsoring an 
                        eligible child care center (as defined by the 
                        Administrator) in an executive facility to 
                        comply with child care center accreditation 
                        standards issued by a nationally recognized 
                        accreditation organization approved by the 
                        Administrator.
                            (ii) Compliance.--The regulations shall 
                        require that, not later than 5 years after the 
                        date of enactment of this Act--
                                    (I) the entity shall comply, or 
                                make substantial progress (as 
                                determined by the Administrator) toward 
                                complying, with the standards; and
                                    (II) any contract or licensing 
                                agreement used by an Executive agency 
                                for the operation of such a child care 
                                center shall include a condition that 
                                the child care be provided by an entity 
                                that complies with the standards.
                            (iii) Contents.--The standards shall base 
                        accreditation on--
                                    (I) an accreditation instrument 
                                described in subsection (a)(2)(B);
                                    (II) outside monitoring described 
                                in subsection (a)(2)(B), by--
                                            (aa) the Administrator; or
                                            (bb) a child care 
                                        credentialing or accreditation 
                                        entity, or other entity, with 
                                        which the Administrator enters 
                                        into a contract to provide such 
                                        monitoring; and
                                    (III) the criteria described in 
                                subsection (a)(2)(B).
                    (D) Evaluation and compliance.--
                            (i) In general.--The Administrator shall 
                        evaluate the compliance, with the requirements 
                        of subparagraph (A) and the regulations issued 
                        pursuant to subparagraphs (B) and (C), of child 
                        care centers, and entities sponsoring child 
                        care centers, in executive facilities. The 
                        Administrator may conduct the evaluation of 
                        such a child care center or entity directly, or 
                        through an agreement with another Federal 
                        agency or private entity, other than the 
                        Federal agency for which the child care center 
                        is providing services. If the Administrator 
                        determines, on the basis of such an evaluation, 
                        that the child care center or entity is not in 
                        compliance with the requirements, the 
                        Administrator shall notify the Executive 
                        agency.
                            (ii) Effect of noncompliance.--On receipt 
                        of the notification of noncompliance issued by 
                        the Administrator, the head of the Executive 
                        agency shall--
                                    (I) if the entity operating the 
                                child care center is the agency--
                                            (aa) within 2 business days 
                                        after the date of receipt of 
                                        the notification, correct any 
                                        deficiencies that are 
                                        determined by the Administrator 
                                        to be life threatening or to 
                                        present a risk of serious 
                                        bodily harm;
                                            (bb) develop and provide to 
                                        the Administrator a plan to 
                                        correct any other deficiencies 
                                        in the operation of the center 
                                        and bring the center and entity 
                                        into compliance with the 
                                        requirements not later than 4 
                                        months after the date of 
                                        receipt of the notification;
                                            (cc) provide the parents of 
                                        the children receiving child 
                                        care services at the center 
                                        with a notification detailing 
                                        the deficiencies described in 
                                        items (aa) and (bb) and actions 
                                        that will be taken to correct 
                                        the deficiencies;
                                            (dd) bring the center and 
                                        entity into compliance with the 
                                        requirements and certify to the 
                                        Administrator that the center 
                                        and entity are in compliance, 
                                        based on an onsite evaluation 
                                        of the center conducted by an 
                                        independent entity with 
                                        expertise in child care health 
                                        and safety; and
                                            (ee) in the event that 
                                        deficiencies determined by the 
                                        Administrator to be life 
                                        threatening or to present a 
                                        risk of serious bodily harm 
                                        cannot be corrected within 2 
                                        business days after the date of 
                                        receipt of the notification, 
                                        close the center or portion of 
                                        the center where the deficiency 
                                        was identified until such 
                                        deficiencies are corrected and 
                                        notify the Administrator of 
                                        such closure; and
                                    (II) if the entity operating the 
                                child care center is a contractor or 
                                licensee of the Executive agency--
                                            (aa) require the contractor 
                                        or licensee within 2 business 
                                        days after the date of receipt 
                                        of the notification, to correct 
                                        any deficiencies that are 
                                        determined by the Administrator 
                                        to be life threatening or to 
                                        present a risk of serious 
                                        bodily harm:
                                            (bb) require the contractor 
                                        or licensee to develop and 
                                        provide to the head of the 
                                        agency a plan to correct any 
                                        other deficiencies in the 
                                        operation of the center and 
                                        bring the center and entity 
                                        into compliance with the 
                                        requirements not later than 4 
                                        months after the date of 
                                        receipt of the notification;
                                            (cc) require the contractor 
                                        or licensee to provide the 
                                        parents of the children 
                                        receiving child care services 
                                        at the center with a 
                                        notification detailing the 
                                        deficiencies described in items 
                                        (aa) and (bb) and actions that 
                                        will be taken to correct the 
                                        deficiencies;
                                            (dd) require the contractor 
                                        or licensee to bring the center 
                                        and entity into compliance with 
                                        the requirements and certify to 
                                        the head of the agency that the 
                                        center and entity are in 
                                        compliance, based on an onsite 
                                        evaluation of the center 
                                        conducted by an independent 
                                        entity with expertise in child 
                                        care health and safety; and
                                            (ee) in the event that 
                                        deficiencies determined by the 
                                        Administrator to be life 
                                        threatening or to present a 
                                        risk of serious bodily harm 
                                        cannot be corrected within 2 
                                        business days after the date of 
                                        receipt of the notification, 
                                        close the center or portion of 
                                        the center where the deficiency 
                                        was identified until such 
                                        deficiencies are corrected and 
                                        notify the Administrator of 
                                        such closure, which closure 
                                        shall be grounds for the 
                                        immediate termination or 
                                        suspension of the contract or 
                                        license of the contractor or 
                                        licensee.
                            (iii) Cost reimbursement.--The Executive 
                        agency shall reimburse the Administrator for 
                        the costs of carrying out clause (i) for child 
                        care centers located in an executive facility 
                        other than an executive facility of the General 
                        Services Administration. If an entity is 
                        sponsoring a child care center for 2 or more 
                        Executive agencies, the Administrator shall 
                        allocate the costs of providing such 
                        reimbursement with respect to the entity among 
                        the agencies in a fair and equitable manner, 
                        based on the extent to which each agency is 
                        eligible to place children in the center.
            (3) Legislative branch standards and compliance.--
                    (A) State and local licensing requirements, health, 
                safety, and facility standards, and accreditation 
                standards.--The Architect of the Capitol shall issue 
                regulations approved by the Committee on Rules and 
                Administration of the Senate and the Committee on House 
                Oversight of the House of Representatives for child 
                care centers, and entities sponsoring child care 
                centers, in legislative facilities, which shall be no 
                less stringent in content and effect than the 
                requirements of paragraph (2)(A) and the regulations 
                issued by the Administrator under subparagraphs (B) and 
                (C) of paragraph (2), except to the extent that the 
                Architect with the consent and approval of the 
                Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate and 
                the Committee on House Oversight of the House of 
                Representatives, may determine, for good cause shown 
                and stated together with the regulations, that a 
                modification of such regulations would be more 
                effective for the implementation of the requirements 
                and standards described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and 
                (C) of paragraph (2) for child care centers, and 
                entities sponsoring child care centers, in legislative 
                facilities.
                    (B) Evaluation and compliance.--
                            (i) Architect of the capitol.--The 
                        Architect of the Capitol shall have the same 
                        authorities and duties with respect to the 
                        evaluation of, compliance of, and cost 
                        reimbursement for child care centers, and 
                        entities sponsoring child care centers, in 
                        legislative facilities as the Administrator has 
                        under paragraph (2)(D) with respect to the 
                        evaluation of, compliance of, and cost 
                        reimbursement for such centers and entities 
                        sponsoring such centers, in executive 
                        facilities.
                            (ii) Head of a legislative office.--The 
                        head of a legislative office shall have the 
                        same authorities and duties with respect to the 
                        compliance of and cost reimbursement for child 
                        care centers, and entities sponsoring child 
                        care centers, in legislative facilities as the 
                        head of an Executive agency has under paragraph 
                        (2)(D) with respect to the compliance of and 
                        cost reimbursement for such centers and 
                        entities sponsoring such centers, in executive 
                        facilities.
            (4) Judicial branch standards and compliance.--
                    (A) State and local licensing requirements, health, 
                safety, and facility standards, and accreditation 
                standards.--The Director of the Administrative Office 
                of the United States Courts shall issue regulations for 
                child care centers, and entities sponsoring child care 
                centers, in judicial facilities, which shall be no less 
                stringent in content and effect than the requirements 
                of paragraph (2)(A) and the regulations issued by the 
                Administrator under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of 
                paragraph (2), except to the extent that the Director 
                may determine, for good cause shown and stated together 
                with the regulations, that a modification of such 
                regulations would be more effective for the 
                implementation of the requirements and standards 
                described in subparagraphs (A), (B), and (C) of 
                paragraph (2) for child care centers, and entities 
                sponsoring child care centers, in judicial facilities.
                    (B) Evaluation and compliance.--
                            (i) Director of the administrative office 
                        of the united states courts.--The Director of 
                        the Administrative Office of the United States 
                        Courts shall have the same authorities and 
                        duties with respect to the evaluation of, 
                        compliance of, and cost reimbursement for child 
                        care centers, and entities sponsoring child 
                        care centers, in judicial facilities as the 
                        Administrator has under paragraph (2)(D) with 
                        respect to the evaluation of, compliance of, 
                        and cost reimbursement for such centers and 
                        entities sponsoring such centers, in executive 
                        facilities.
                            (ii) Head of a judicial office.--The head 
                        of a judicial office shall have the same 
                        authorities and duties with respect to the 
                        compliance of and cost reimbursement for child 
                        care centers, and entities sponsoring child 
                        care centers, in judicial facilities as the 
                        head of an Executive agency has under paragraph 
                        (2)(D) with respect to the compliance of and 
                        cost reimbursement for such centers and 
                        entities sponsoring such centers, in executive 
                        facilities.
            (5) Application.--Notwithstanding any other provision of 
        this section, if 8 or more child care centers are sponsored in 
        facilities owned or leased by an Executive agency, the 
        Administrator shall delegate to the head of the agency the 
        evaluation and compliance responsibilities assigned to the 
        Administrator under paragraph (2)(D)(i).
            (6) Technical assistance, studies, and reviews.--The 
        Administrator may provide technical assistance, and conduct and 
        provide the results of studies and reviews, for Executive 
        agencies, and entities sponsoring child care centers in 
        executive facilities, on a reimbursable basis, in order to 
        assist the entities in complying with this section. The 
        Architect of the Capitol and the Director of the Administrative 
        Office of the United States Courts may provide technical 
        assistance, and conduct and provide the results of studies and 
        reviews, or request that the Administrator provide technical 
        assistance, and conduct and provide the results of studies and 
        reviews, for legislative offices and judicial offices, 
        respectively, and entities operating child care centers in 
        legislative facilities and judicial facilities, respectively, 
        on a reimbursable basis, in order to assist the entities in 
        complying with this section.
            (7) Council.--The Administrator shall establish an 
        interagency council, comprised of all Executive agencies 
        described in paragraph (5), a representative of the Office of 
        Architect of the Capitol, and a representative of the 
        Administrative Office of the United States Courts, to 
        facilitate cooperation and sharing of best practices, and to 
        develop and coordinate policy, regarding the provision of child 
        care in the Federal Government.
            (8) Authorization of appropriations.--There is authorized 
        to be appropriated to carry out this section $900,000 for 
        fiscal year 1999 and such sums as may be necessary for each 
        subsequent fiscal year.

               TITLE VI--CHILD CARE IN FEDERAL FACILITIES

SEC. 601. SHORT TITLE.

    This title may be cited as the ``Quality Child Care for Federal 
Employees Act''.

SEC. 602. PROVIDING QUALITY CHILD CARE IN FEDERAL FACILITIES.

    (a) Definition.--In this section:
            (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
        Administrator of General Services.
            (2) Child care accreditation entity.--The term ``child care 
        accreditation entity'' means a nonprofit private organization 
        or public agency that--
                    (A) is recognized by a State agency or by a 
                national organization that serves as a peer review 
                panel on the standards and procedures of public and 
                private child care or school accrediting bodies; and
                    (B) accredits a facility to provide child care on 
                the basis of--
                            (i) an accreditation or credentialing 
                        instrument based on peer-validated research;
                            (ii) compliance with applicable State or 
                        local licensing requirements, as appropriate, 
                        for the facility;
                            (iii) outside monitoring of the facility; 
                        and
                            (iv) criteria that provide assurances of--
                                    (I) use of developmentally 
                                appropriate health and safety standards 
                                at the facility;
                                    (II) use of developmentally 
                                appropriate educational activities, as 
                                an integral part of the child care 
                                program carried out at the facility; 
                                and
                                    (III) use of ongoing staff 
                                development or training activities for 
                                the staff of the facility, including 
                                related skills-based testing.
            (3) Entity sponsoring a child care facility.--The term 
        ``entity sponsoring a child care facility'' means a Federal 
        agency that operates, or an entity that enters into a contract 
        or licensing agreement with a Federal agency to operate, a 
        child care facility primarily for the use of Federal employees.
            (4) Executive agency.--The term ``Executive agency'' has 
        the meaning given the term in section 105 of title 5, United 
        States Code, except that the term--
                    (A) does not include the Department of Defense and 
                the Coast Guard; and
                    (B) includes the General Services Administration, 
                with respect to the administration of a facility 
                described in paragraph (5)(B).
            (5) Executive facility.--The term ``executive facility''--
                    (A) means a facility that is owned or leased by an 
                Executive agency; and
                    (B) includes a facility that is owned or leased by 
                the General Services Administration on behalf of a 
                judicial office.
            (6) Federal agency.--The term ``Federal agency'' means an 
        Executive agency, a legislative office, or a judicial office.
            (7) Judicial facility.--The term ``judicial facility'' 
        means a facility that is owned or leased by a judicial office 
        (other than a facility that is also a facility described in 
        paragraph (4)(B)).
            (8) Judicial office.--The term ``judicial office'' means an 
        entity of the judicial branch of the Federal Government.
            (9) Legislative facility.--The term ``legislative 
        facility'' means a facility that is owned or leased by a 
        legislative office.
            (10) Legislative office.--The term ``legislative office'' 
        means an entity of the legislative branch of the Federal 
        Government.
            (11) State.--The term ``State'' has the meaning given the 
        term in section 658P of the Child Care and Development Block 
        Grant Act (42 U.S.C. 9858n).
    (b) Executive Branch Standards and Compliance.--
            (1) State and local licensing requirements.--
                    (A) In general.--Any entity sponsoring a child care 
                facility in an executive facility shall--
                            (i) comply with child care standards 
                        described in paragraph (2) that, at a minimum, 
                        include all applicable State or local licensing 
                        requirements, as appropriate, related to the 
                        provision of child care in the State or 
                        locality involved; and
                            (ii) obtain the applicable State or local 
                        licenses, as appropriate, for the facility.
                    (B) Compliance.--Not later than 6 months after the 
                date of enactment of this Act--
                            (i) the entity shall comply, or make 
                        substantial progress (as determined by the 
                        Administrator) toward complying, with 
                        subparagraph (A); and
                            (ii) any contract or licensing agreement 
                        used by an Executive agency for the provision 
                        of child care services in such child care 
                        facility shall include a condition that the 
                        child care be provided by an entity that 
                        complies with the standards described in 
                        subparagraph (A)(i) and obtains the licenses 
                        described in subparagraph (A)(ii).
            (2) Health, safety, and facility standards.--The 
        Administrator shall by regulation establish standards relating 
        to health, safety, facilities, facility design, and other 
        aspects of child care that the Administrator determines to be 
        appropriate for child care in executive facilities, and require 
        child care facilities, and entities sponsoring child care 
        facilities, in executive facilities to comply with the 
        standards. Such standards shall include requirements that child 
        care facilities be inspected for, and be free of, lead hazards.
            (3) Accreditation standards.--
                    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall issue 
                regulations requiring, to the maximum extent possible, 
                any entity sponsoring an eligible child care facility 
                (as defined by the Administrator) in an executive 
                facility to comply with standards of a child care 
                accreditation entity.
                    (B) Compliance.--The regulations shall require 
                that, not later than 2 years after the date of 
                enactment of this Act--
                            (i) the entity shall comply, or make 
                        substantial progress (as determined by the 
                        Administrator) toward complying, with the 
                        standards; and
                            (ii) any contract or licensing agreement 
                        used by an Executive agency for the provision 
                        of child care services in such child care 
                        facility shall include a condition that the 
                        child care be provided by an entity that 
                        complies with the standards.
            (4) Evaluation and compliance.--
                    (A) In general.--The Administrator shall evaluate 
                the compliance, with the requirements of paragraph (1) 
                and the regulations issued pursuant to paragraphs (2) 
                and (3), as appropriate, of child care facilities, and 
                entities sponsoring child care facilities, in executive 
                facilities. The Administrator may conduct the 
                evaluation of such a child care facility or entity 
                directly, or through an agreement with another Federal 
                agency or private entity, other than the Federal agency 
                for which the child care facility is providing 
                services. If the Administrator determines, on the basis 
                of such an evaluation, that the child care facility or 
                entity is not in compliance with the requirements, the 
                Administrator shall notify the Executive agency.
                    (B) Effect of noncompliance.--On receipt of the 
                notification of noncompliance issued by the 
                Administrator, the head of the Executive agency shall--
                            (i) if the entity operating the child care 
                        facility is the agency--
                                    (I) not later than 2 business days 
                                after the date of receipt of the 
                                notification, correct any deficiencies 
                                that are determined by the 
                                Administrator to be life threatening or 
                                to present a risk of serious bodily 
                                harm;
                                    (II) develop and provide to the 
                                Administrator a plan to correct any 
                                other deficiencies in the operation of 
                                the child care facility and bring the 
                                facility and entity into compliance 
                                with the requirements not later than 4 
                                months after the date of receipt of the 
                                notification;
                                    (III) provide the parents of the 
                                children receiving child care services 
                                at the child care facility and 
                                employees of the facility with a 
                                notification detailing the deficiencies 
                                described in subclauses (I) and (II) 
                                and actions that will be taken to 
                                correct the deficiencies, and post a 
                                copy of the notification in a 
                                conspicuous place in the facility for 5 
                                working days or until the deficiencies 
                                are corrected, whichever is later;
                                    (IV) bring the child care facility 
                                and entity into compliance with the 
                                requirements and certify to the 
                                Administrator that the facility and 
                                entity are in compliance, based on an 
                                onsite evaluation of the facility 
                                conducted by an independent entity with 
                                expertise in child care health and 
                                safety; and
                                    (V) in the event that deficiencies 
                                determined by the Administrator to be 
                                life threatening or to present a risk 
                                of serious bodily harm cannot be 
                                corrected within 2 business days after 
                                the date of receipt of the 
                                notification, close the child care 
                                facility, or the affected portion of 
                                the facility, until such deficiencies 
                                are corrected and notify the 
                                Administrator of such closure; and
                            (ii) if the entity operating the child care 
                        facility is a contractor or licensee of the 
                        Executive agency--
                                    (I) require the contractor or 
                                licensee, not later than 2 business 
                                days after the date of receipt of the 
                                notification, to correct any 
                                deficiencies that are determined by the 
                                Administrator to be life threatening or 
                                to present a risk of serious bodily 
                                harm;
                                    (II) require the contractor or 
                                licensee to develop and provide to the 
                                head of the agency a plan to correct 
                                any other deficiencies in the operation 
                                of the child care facility and bring 
                                the facility and entity into compliance 
                                with the requirements not later than 4 
                                months after the date of receipt of the 
                                notification;
                                    (III) require the contractor or 
                                licensee to provide the parents of the 
                                children receiving child care services 
                                at the child care facility and 
                                employees of the facility with a 
                                notification detailing the deficiencies 
                                described in subclauses (I) and (II) 
                                and actions that will be taken to 
                                correct the deficiencies, and to post a 
                                copy of the notification in a 
                                conspicuous place in the facility for 5 
                                working days or until the deficiencies 
                                are corrected, whichever is later;
                                    (IV) require the contractor or 
                                licensee to bring the child care 
                                facility and entity into compliance 
                                with the requirements and certify to 
                                the head of the agency that the 
                                facility and entity are in compliance, 
                                based on an onsite evaluation of the 
                                facility conducted by an independent 
                                entity with expertise in child care 
                                health and safety; and
                                    (V) in the event that deficiencies 
                                determined by the Administrator to be 
                                life threatening or to present a risk 
                                of serious bodily harm cannot be 
                                corrected within 2 business days after 
                                the date of receipt of the 
                                notification, close the child care 
                                facility, or the affected portion of 
                                the facility, until such deficiencies 
                                are corrected and notify the 
                                Administrator of such closure, which 
                                closure may be grounds for 
the immediate termination or suspension of the contract or license of 
the contractor or licensee.
                    (C) Cost reimbursement.--The Executive agency shall 
                reimburse the Administrator for the costs of carrying 
                out subparagraph (A) for child care facilities located 
                in an executive facility other than an executive 
                facility of the General Services Administration. If an 
                entity is sponsoring a child care facility for 2 or 
                more Executive agencies, the Administrator shall 
                allocate the costs of providing such reimbursement with 
                respect to the entity among the agencies in a fair and 
                equitable manner, based on the extent to which each 
                agency is eligible to place children in the facility.
            (5) Disclosure of prior violations to parents and facility 
        employees.--The Administrator shall issue regulations that 
        require that each entity sponsoring a child care facility in an 
        executive facility, upon receipt by the child care facility or 
        the entity (as applicable) of a request by any individual who 
        is a parent of any child enrolled at the facility, a parent of 
        a child for whom an application has been submitted to enroll at 
        the facility, or an employee of the facility, shall provide to 
        the individual--
                    (A) copies of all notifications of deficiencies 
                that have been provided in the past with respect to the 
                facility under clause (i)(III) or (ii)(III), as 
                applicable, of paragraph (4)(B); and
                    (B) a description of the actions that were taken to 
                correct the deficiencies.
    (c) Legislative Branch Standards and Compliance.--
            (1) State and local licensing requirements, health, safety, 
        and facility standards, and accreditation standards.--
                    (A) In general.--The Chief Administrative Officer 
                of the House of Representatives shall issue 
                regulations, approved by the Committee on House 
                Oversight of the House of Representatives, governing 
                the operation of the House of Representatives Child 
                Care Center. The Librarian of Congress shall issue 
                regulations, approved by the appropriate House and 
                Senate committees with jurisdiction over the Library of 
                Congress, governing the operation of the child care 
                center located at the Library of Congress. Subject to 
                paragraph (3), the head of a designated entity in the 
                Senate shall issue regulations, approved by the 
                Committee on Rules and Administration of the Senate, 
                governing the operation of the Senate Employees' Child 
                Care Center.
                    (B) Stringency.--The regulations described in 
                subparagraph (A) shall be no less stringent in content 
                and effect than the requirements of subsection (b)(1) 
                and the regulations issued by the Administrator under 
                paragraphs (2) and (3) of subsection (b), except to the 
                extent that appropriate administrative officers, with 
                the approval of the appropriate House or Senate 
                committees with oversight responsibility for the 
                centers, may jointly or independently determine, for 
                good cause shown and stated together with the 
                regulations, that a modification of such regulations 
                would be more effective for the implementation of the 
                requirements and standards described in paragraphs (1), 
                (2), and (3) of subsection (b) for child care 
                facilities, and entities sponsoring child care 
                facilities, in the corresponding legislative 
                facilities.
            (2) Evaluation and compliance.--
                    (A) Administration.--Subject to paragraph (3), the 
                Chief Administrative Officer of the House of 
                Representatives, the head of the designated Senate 
                entity, and the Librarian of Congress, shall have the 
                same authorities and duties--
                            (i) with respect to the evaluation of, 
                        compliance of, and cost reimbursement for child 
                        care facilities, and entities sponsoring child 
                        care facilities, in the corresponding 
                        legislative facilities as the Administrator has 
                        under subsection (b)(4) with respect to the 
                        evaluation of, compliance of, and cost 
                        reimbursement for such facilities and entities 
                        sponsoring such facilities, in executive 
                        facilities; and
                            (ii) with respect to issuing regulations 
                        requiring the entities sponsoring child care 
                        facilities in the corresponding legislative 
                        facilities to provide notifications of 
                        deficiencies and descriptions of corrective 
                        actions as the Administrator has under 
                        subsection (b)(5) with respect to issuing 
                        regulations requiring the entities sponsoring 
                        child care facilities in executive facilities 
                        to provide notifications of deficiencies and 
                        descriptions of corrective actions.
                    (B) Enforcement.--Subject to paragraph (3), the 
                Committee on House Oversight of the House of 
                Representatives and the Committee on Rules and 
                Administration of the Senate, as appropriate, shall 
                have the same authorities and duties with respect to 
                the compliance of and cost reimbursement for child care 
                facilities, and entities sponsoring child care 
                facilities, in the corresponding legislative facilities 
                as the head of an Executive agency has under subsection 
                (b)(4) with respect to the compliance of and cost 
                reimbursement for such facilities and entities 
                sponsoring such facilities, in executive facilities.
            (3) Interim status.--Until such time as the Committee on 
        Rules and Administration of the Senate establishes, or the head 
        of the designated Senate entity establishes, standards 
        described in paragraphs (1), (2), and (3) of subsection (b) 
        governing the operation of the Senate Employees' Child Care 
        Center, such facility shall maintain current accreditation 
        status.
    (d) Judicial Branch Standards and Compliance.--
            (1) State and local licensing requirements, health, safety, 
        and facility standards, and accreditation standards.--The 
        Director of the Administrative Office of the United States 
        Courts shall issue regulations for child care facilities, and 
        entities sponsoring child care facilities, in judicial 
        facilities, which shall be no less stringent in content and 
        effect than the requirements of subsection (b)(1) and the 
        regulations issued by the Administrator under paragraphs (2) 
        and (3) of subsection (b), except to the extent that the 
        Director may determine, for good cause shown and stated 
        together with the regulations, that a modification of such 
        regulations would be more effective for the implementation of 
        the requirements and standards described in paragraphs (1), 
        (2), and (3) of subsection (b) for child care facilities, and 
        entities sponsoring child care facilities, in judicial 
        facilities.
            (2) Evaluation and compliance.--
                    (A) Director of the administrative office of the 
                united states courts.--The Director of the 
                Administrative Office of the United States Courts shall 
                have the same authorities and duties--
                            (i) with respect to the evaluation of, 
                        compliance of, and cost reimbursement for child 
                        care facilities, and entities sponsoring child 
                        care facilities, in judicial facilities as the 
                        Administrator has under subsection (b)(4) with 
                        respect to the evaluation of, compliance of, 
                        and cost reimbursement for such facilities and 
                        entities sponsoring such facilities, in 
                        executive facilities; and
                            (ii) with respect to issuing regulations 
                        requiring the entities sponsoring child care 
                        facilities in the judicial facilities to 
                        provide notifications of deficiencies and 
                        descriptions of corrective actions as the 
                        Administrator has under subsection (b)(5) with 
                        respect to issuing regulations requiring the 
                        entities sponsoring child care facilities in 
                        executive facilities to provide notifications 
                        of deficiencies and descriptions of corrective 
                        actions.
                    (B) Head of a judicial office.--The head of a 
                judicial office shall have the same authorities and 
                duties with respect to the compliance of and cost 
                reimbursement for child care facilities, and entities 
                sponsoring child care facilities, in judicial 
                facilities as the head of an Executive agency has under 
                subsection (b)(4) with respect to the compliance of and 
                cost reimbursement for such facilities and entities 
                sponsoring such facilities, in executive facilities.
    (e) Application.--Notwithstanding any other provision of this 
section, if 8 or more child care facilities are sponsored in facilities 
owned or leased by an Executive agency, the Administrator shall 
delegate to the head of the agency the evaluation and compliance 
responsibilities assigned to the Administrator under subsection 
(b)(4)(A).
    (f) Technical Assistance, Studies, and Reviews.--The Administrator 
may provide technical assistance, and conduct and provide the results 
of studies and reviews, for Executive agencies, and entities sponsoring 
child care facilities in executive facilities, on a reimbursable basis, 
in order to assist the entities in complying with this section. The 
Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, the 
Librarian of Congress, the head of the designated Senate entity 
described in subsection (c), and the Director of the Administrative 
Office of the United States Courts may provide technical assistance, 
and conduct and provide the results of studies and reviews, or request 
that the Administrator provide technical assistance, and conduct and 
provide the results of studies and reviews, for the corresponding 
legislative offices and judicial offices, and entities operating child 
care facilities in the corresponding legislative facilities and 
judicial facilities, on a reimbursable basis, in order to assist the 
entities in complying with this section.
    (g) Council.--The Administrator shall establish an interagency 
council, comprised of representatives of all Executive agencies that 
are entities sponsoring child care facilities, a representative of the 
Chief Administrative Officer of the House of Representatives, a 
representative of the designated Senate entity described in subsection 
(c), a representative of the Librarian of Congress, and a 
representative of the Administrative Office of the United States 
Courts, to facilitate cooperation and sharing of best practices, and to 
develop and coordinate policy, regarding the provision of child care, 
including the provision of areas for nursing mothers and other 
lactation support facilities and services, in the Federal Government.
    (h) Authorization of Appropriations.--There is authorized to be 
appropriated to carry out this section $900,000 for fiscal year 2000 
and such sums as may be necessary for each subsequent fiscal year.

SEC. 603. CHILD CARE SERVICES FOR FEDERAL EMPLOYEES.

    (a) In General.--In addition to services authorized to be provided 
by an agency of the United States pursuant to section 616 of Public Law 
100-202 (40 U.S.C. 490b), an Executive agency that provides or proposes 
to provide child care services for Federal employees may use agency 
funds to provide the child care services, in a facility that is owned 
or leased by an Executive agency, or through a contractor, for civilian 
employees of such agency.
    (b) Affordability.--Funds so used with respect to any such facility 
or contractor shall be applied to improve the affordability of child 
care for lower income Federal employees using or seeking to use the 
child care services offered by such facility or contractor.
    (c) Regulations.--The Director of the Office of Personnel 
Management, and the Administrator of the General Services 
Administration, shall, within 180 days after the date of enactment of 
this Act, jointly issue regulations necessary to carry out this 
section.
    (d) Definition.--For purposes of this section, the term ``Executive 
agency'' has the meaning given the term in section 105 of title 5, 
United States Code, but does not include the General Accounting Office.

SEC. 604. MISCELLANEOUS PROVISIONS RELATING TO CHILD CARE PROVIDED BY 
              FEDERAL AGENCIES.

    (a) Availability of Federal Child Care Centers for Onsite 
Contractors; Percentage Goal.--Section 616(a) of Public Law 100-202 (40 
U.S.C. 490b(a)) is amended--
            (1) in subsection (a), by striking paragraphs (2) and (3) 
        and inserting the following:
            ``(2) such officer or agency determines that such space 
        will be used to provide child care and related services to--
                    ``(A) children of Federal employees or onsite 
                Federal contractors; or
                    ``(B) dependent children who live with Federal 
                employees or onsite Federal contractors; and
            ``(3) such officer or agency determines that such 
        individual or entity will give priority for available child 
        care and related services in such space to Federal employees 
        and onsite Federal contractors.''; and
            (2) by adding at the end the following:
    ``(e)(1)(A) The Administrator of General Services shall confirm 
that at least 50 percent of aggregate enrollment in Federal child care 
centers governmentwide are children of Federal employees or onsite 
Federal contractors, or dependent children who live with Federal 
employees or onsite Federal contractors.
    ``(B) Each provider of child care services at an individual Federal 
child care center shall maintain 50 percent of the enrollment at the 
center of children described under subparagraph (A) as a goal for 
enrollment at the center.
    ``(C) If enrollment at a center does not meet the percentage goal 
under subparagraph (B), the provider shall develop and implement a 
business plan with the sponsoring Federal agency to achieve the goal 
within a reasonable timeframe. Such plan shall be approved by the 
Administrator of General Services based on--
            ``(i) compliance of the plan with standards established by 
        the Administrator; and
            ``(ii) the effect of the plan on achieving the aggregate 
        Federal enrollment percentage goal.
    ``(2) The Administrator of General Services Administration may 
enter into public-private partnerships or contracts with 
nongovernmental entities to increase the capacity, quality, 
affordability, or range of child care and related services and may, on 
a demonstration basis, waive subsection (a)(3) and paragraph (1) of 
this subsection.''.
    (b) Payment of Costs of Training Programs.--Section 616(b)(3) of 
such Public Law (40 U.S.C. 490b(b)(3)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(3) If an agency has a child care facility in its space, or is a 
sponsoring agency for a child care facility in other Federal or leased 
space, the agency or the General Services Administration may pay 
accreditation fees, including renewal fees, for that center to be 
accredited. Any agency, department, or instrumentality of the United 
States that provides or proposes to provide child care services for 
children referred to in subsection (a)(2), may reimburse any Federal 
employee or any person employed to provide such services for the costs 
of training programs, conferences, and meetings and related travel, 
transportation, and subsistence expenses incurred in connection with 
those activities. Any per diem allowance made under this section shall 
not exceed the rate specified in regulations prescribed under section 
5707 of title 5, United States Code.''.
    (c) Provision of Child Care by Private Entities.--Section 616(d) of 
such Public Law (40 U.S.C. 490b(d)) is amended to read as follows:
    ``(d)(1) If a Federal agency has a child care facility in its 
space, or is a sponsoring agency for a child care facility in other 
Federal or leased space, the agency, the child care center board of 
directors, or the General Services Administration may enter into an 
agreement with 1 or more private entities under which such private 
entities would assist in defraying the general operating expenses of 
the child care providers including salaries and tuition assistance 
programs at the facility.
    ``(2)(A) Notwithstanding any other provision of law, if a Federal 
agency does not have a child care program, or if the Administrator of 
General Services has identified a need for child care for Federal 
employees at an agency providing child care services that do not meet 
the requirements of subsection (a), the agency or the Administrator may 
enter into an agreement with a non-Federal, licensed, and accredited 
child care facility, or a planned child care facility that will become 
licensed and accredited, for the provision of child care services for 
children of Federal employees.
    ``(B) Before entering into an agreement, the head of the Federal 
agency shall determine that child care services to be provided through 
the agreement are more cost effectively provided through such 
arrangement than through establishment of a Federal child care 
facility.
    ``(C) The agency may provide any of the services described in 
subsection (b)(3) if, in exchange for such services, the facility 
reserves child care spaces for children referred to in subsection 
(a)(2), as agreed to by the parties. The cost of any such services 
provided by an agency to a child care facility on behalf of another 
agency shall be reimbursed by the receiving agency.
    ``(3) This subsection does not apply to residential child care 
programs.''.
    (d) Pilot Projects.--Section 616 of such Public Law (40 U.S.C. 
490b) is further amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(f)(1) Upon approval of the agency head, an agency may conduct a 
pilot project not otherwise authorized by law for no more than 2 years 
to test innovative approaches to providing alternative forms of quality 
child care assistance for Federal employees. An agency head may extend 
a pilot project for an additional 2-year period. Before any pilot 
project may be implemented, a determination shall be made by the agency 
head that initiating the pilot project would be more cost-effective 
than establishing a new child care facility. Costs of any pilot project 
shall be borne solely by the agency conducting the pilot project.
    ``(2) The Administrator of General Services shall serve as an 
information clearinghouse for pilot projects initiated by other 
agencies to disseminate information concerning the pilot projects to 
the other agencies.
    ``(3) Within 6 months after completion of the initial 2-year pilot 
project period, an agency conducting a pilot project under this 
subsection shall provide for an evaluation of the impact of the project 
on the delivery of child care services to Federal employees, and shall 
submit the results of the evaluation to the Administrator of General 
Services. The Administrator shall share the results with other Federal 
agencies.''.
    (e) Background Check.--Section 616 of such Public Law (40 U.S.C. 
490b) is further amended by adding at the end the following:
    ``(g) Each child care center located in a federally owned or leased 
facility shall ensure that each employee of such center (including any 
employee whose employment began before the date of enactment of this 
subsection) shall undergo a criminal history background check 
consistent with section 231 of the Crime Control Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
13041).''.

SEC. 605. REQUIREMENT TO PROVIDE LACTATION SUPPORT IN NEW FEDERAL CHILD 
              CARE FACILITIES.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``Federal agency'', 
``executive facility'', ``judicial facility'', and ``legislative 
facility'' have the meanings given the terms in section 602.
    (b) Lactation Support.--The head of each Federal agency shall 
require that each child care facility in an executive facility or a 
legislative facility that is first operated after the 1-year period 
beginning on the date of enactment of this Act by the Federal agency, 
or under a contract or licensing agreement with the Federal agency, 
shall provide reasonable accommodations for the needs of breast-fed 
infants and their mothers, including providing a lactation area or a 
room for nursing mothers in part of the operating plan for the 
facility.

SEC. 606. FEDERAL CHILD CARE EVALUATION.

    (a) Definitions.--In this section, the terms ``executive 
facility'', ``judicial facility'', and ``legislative facility'' have 
the meanings given the terms in section 602.
    (b) Evaluation.--Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment 
of this Act, the Administrator of the General Services Administration 
and the Director of the Office of Personnel Management, shall jointly 
prepare and submit to Congress a report that contains an evaluation, 
including--
            (1) information on the number of children utilizing child 
        care in an executive facility, legislative facility, or 
        judicial facility, including such children who are age 6 
        through 12, analyzed by age;
            (2) information on the number of families not utilizing 
        child care described in paragraph (1) because of cost; and
            (3) recommendations for improving the quality and cost 
        effectiveness of child care described in paragraph (1), 
        including options for creating an optimal organizational 
        structure and best practices for the delivery of such child 
        care.
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