Short title

This Act may be cited as the

Access to Books for Children Act

or the

ABC Act

Findings

The Congress finds the following: (1)Reading to a child plays a crucial role in the development of the child’s brain from the earliest years. (2)According to a 1995 study by the National Commission on Reading, reading aloud to a child is the single most important tool for developing literacy skills. (3)A child who is not introduced to books and early literacy practices is more than three times as likely to drop out of school as a child who is introduced to books and early literacy practices. (4)The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends daily reading to a child beginning when the child is just 6 months old and recommends that pediatricians prescribe reading activities and other instruction to parents during well-child visits.

Amendment to the Child Nutrition Act of 1966

Section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 1786) is amended by adding at the end the following:

(r)

Vouchers for purchase of educational books for infants and children

(1)

In general

In carrying out the program under this section, the Secretary shall provide grants to local agencies for the purpose of providing vouchers to women participating in the program for the purchase of educational books for the infants and children of such women. (2)

Additional requirements

In providing vouchers pursuant to paragraph (1), a local agency shall comply with the following requirements: (A)A woman may receive not more than 1 voucher (irrespective of the number of infants or children of the woman). (B)The amount of a voucher may not exceed $5. (3)

Authorization of Appropriations

There are authorized to be appropriated to the Secretary $11,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2011 through 2013 to carry out this subsection, of which not more than $1,000,000 may be used for administrative costs. Amounts made available under this paragraph shall remain available until expended.