[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 10057 Introduced in House (IH)]
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119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 10057
To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants
to States to improve the knowledge, credentials, compensation, and
professional development of early childhood educators working with
children in early childhood education programs, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
August 6, 2026
Ms. Meng (for herself, Ms. Clarke of New York, Mr. Garcia of Illinois,
Ms. Norton, and Ms. Simon) introduced the following bill; which was
referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services to make grants
to States to improve the knowledge, credentials, compensation, and
professional development of early childhood educators working with
children in early childhood education programs, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Early Childhood Educator
Professional Improvement Act of 2026''.
SEC. 2. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Act is to provide assistance to States to
improve the knowledge, credentials, compensation, and professional
development of early childhood educators working with children in early
childhood education programs.
SEC. 3. DEFINITIONS.
In this Act:
(1) Early childhood education program.--The term ``early
childhood education program'' has the meaning given the term in
section 812 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C.
1161i-1).
(2) Institution of higher education.--The term
``institution of higher education'' has the meaning given the
term in section 101(a) of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20
U.S.C. 1001(a)).
SEC. 4. PROGRAM AUTHORIZED.
(a) In General.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services, in
consultation with the Secretary of Education, is authorized to award
grants to States to implement and administer the activities described
in section 6.
(b) Duration.--
(1) In general.--Each grant awarded under this Act shall be
for a period of 5 years, with funding provided annually subject
to the availability of appropriations and continued compliance
with the terms of the grant.
(2) Renewal.--A State awarded a grant under this Act may
apply for renewal of the grant at the end of the 5-year grant
period. The Secretary may renew the grant if the State
demonstrates compliance with the requirements of this Act and
satisfactory program outcomes.
SEC. 5. APPLICATIONS.
(a) In General.--Each State desiring a grant under this Act shall
submit an application to the Secretary of Health and Human Services--
(1) that includes the information described in subsection
(b); and
(2) at such time, in such manner, and accompanied by such
additional information as the Secretary, in consultation with
the Secretary of Education, may reasonably require.
(b) Contents.--Each application submitted under subsection (a)
shall include a description of the State's comprehensive early
childhood professional development system, including the following:
(1) A description of how the State's system was developed
in collaboration with the State Advisory Council on Early
Childhood Education and Care designated or established under
section 642B of the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9837b), the State
agency responsible for administering childcare, the State Head
Start collaboration director, the State educational agency,
institutions of higher education, organizations that represent
early childhood educators, child care resource and referral
organizations, staffed family child care networks, and credible
early childhood education professional organizations.
(2) A designation of a State agency to administer the grant
program.
(3) A description of how the State's comprehensive early
childhood professional development system provides--
(A) an oversight structure for such system;
(B) early childhood educator standards and
competencies;
(C) a career and wage lattice;
(D) coordination with State higher education
agencies, higher education accrediting bodies, and
accredited 2- and 4-year institutions of higher
education;
(E) articulation agreements between 2- and 4-year
institutions of higher education and credit-bearing
opportunities and articulation agreements that
recognize prior learning, early childhood educator
credentials, and expertise in early childhood education
and development;
(F) accessible higher education for working
students through offering of college courses at
accessible time and locations, with particular
attention to rural areas;
(G) support to students who are dual language
learners, or come from low-income or minority
communities;
(H) training and expertise that reflects
linguistically and culturally appropriate education and
practices; and
(I) use of workforce data to assess State and local
workforce needs.
(4) A description of the financing of the State's
comprehensive early childhood professional development system
over time.
SEC. 6. STATE USE OF FUNDS.
A State that receives a grant under this Act shall ensure that
grant funds are used to carry out the following:
(1) To provide scholarships to cover the costs of tuition,
fees, materials, transportation, paid substitutes, and release
time for early childhood educators employed in an early
childhood education program to pursue a bachelor's degree in
early childhood education or a closely related field.
(2) To support early childhood educators employed in an
early childhood education program, and who have obtained a
bachelor's degree in a field other than early childhood
education or a closely related field, to attain a credential,
licensure, or endorsement that demonstrates competence in early
childhood education.
(3) To increase compensation for early childhood educators
who are enrolled and making progress toward a degree in early
childhood education and to provide parity of compensation upon
completion of such degree and retention in the early childhood
education program.
(4) To provide ongoing professional development
opportunities to early childhood educators and teacher
assistants employed in an early childhood education program
that address--
(A) all areas of child development and learning
(cognitive, social, emotional, and physical);
(B) teacher-child interaction;
(C) family engagement; and
(D) cultural competence for working with a
diversity of children (including children with special
needs and dual language learners) and families.
SEC. 7. SUPPLEMENT NOT SUPPLANT.
Grant funds provided under this Act shall supplement, and not
supplant, other Federal, State, and local funds that are available for
early childhood educator preparation and professional development.
SEC. 8. MAINTENANCE OF EFFORT.
A State that receives funds under this Act for a fiscal year shall
maintain the fiscal effort provided by the State for the activities
supported by the funds under this Act at a level equal to or greater
than the level of such fiscal effort for the preceding fiscal year.
SEC. 9. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.
There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out this Act such
sums as may be necessary for fiscal years 2027 through 2032.
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