[Congressional Record Volume 151, Number 23 (Thursday, March 3, 2005)]
[Senate]
[Pages S2031-S2037]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]

      By Mr. ALEXANDER (for himself, Mr. Dodd, Mr. Enzi, Mr. Kennedy, 
        Mr. Hatch, and Mr. Roberts):
  S. 525. A bill to amend the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
Act of 1990 to reauthorize the Act, to improve early learning 
opportunities and promote school preparedness, and for other purposes; 
to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
  Mr. ALEXANDER. Mr. President, today I am here with Senator Dodd and 
on behalf of Senator Enzi and Senator Kennedy to introduce the Caring 
for Children Act of 2005 which reauthorizes the Child Care and 
Development Block Grant, CCDBG, program. This program provides funding 
to States for child care vouchers.
  Across the United States last year low-income parents of 2.3 million 
children were able to use these certificates or ``vouchers'' to help 
pay the cost of child care while the parents worked or continued their 
education so they could get a better job.
  Last year, my home State of Tennessee spent $251,760,528 for child 
care, much of which came through the CCDBG program. This important 
program legislates how States are to administer child care. States 
provide certificates to parents to choose the type of care that best 
fits their children's needs.
  In Tennessee, 1 percent of children receive care in their own home, 
19 percent have chosen to place their children in family home care, 5 
percent are in group care while the vast majority, 75 percent, are in 
child care centers. About 24,500 Tennessee families with children are 
enrolled in some form of subsidized child care, and as of January of 
this year, 46,591 children were receiving subsidized child care in my 
home State.

[[Page S2032]]

  A family of four, which is a typical size for eligible families in 
Tennessee, is eligible for child care support when their median income 
is no more than 60 percent of the State's median income. That means 
that families making $33,000 or less are eligible for some assistance, 
though they may also have to make a co-payment. For example, a family 
of four making $32,000 would be required to pay $56 per week for the 
first child and $42 per week for the second child.
  This year we are making the CCDBG program even better with four key 
improvements.
  First, the act increases the quality set-aside from 4 percent, 
current law, to 6 percent. Eighty percent of parents report that their 
child care is poor to mediocre, so we need to take steps to improve 
overall quality of care. The quality set-aside is used to offer 
training and professional development to child care workers. States can 
also use quality funds to provide technical assistance to child care 
facilities to help them enhance learning opportunities for pre-school 
or school-aged children while in care. Of course, States could choose 
to do even more, and I am happy to report that my own State of 
Tennessee spends at least 12 percent on quality improvements.
  Second, the act requires States to use at least 70 percent of funds 
for direct services. This will ensure that more of the money gets into 
the hands of parents rather than State bureaucracies. Under current 
law, States vary greatly in what percentage they use for direct 
services since current language simply specifies that a ``significant'' 
portion be used for services.

  Third, the legislation emphasizes the importance of school 
preparedness by adding a new goal: development of pre-reading, 
prenumeracy, math and language skills for children in care. Research 
has proven that a child's brain doubles in size between birth and age 
3. These are formative years for both physical and cognitive 
development.
  Fourth, the bill establishes a temporary small business competitive 
grant program to encourage small businesses to work together to provide 
child care services for employees. Senator Roberts developed this 
innovative $30 million grant program, and I am glad it could be 
included in the bill.
  The CCDBG program is important for supporting parents raising 
children across the country. One such parent is Tameka Payton. Tameka 
was nineth grade when she had her first child, Javonta. When she became 
pregnant, Tameka was a ward of the State. She had grown up with an 
abusive mother who was addicted to drugs. After being removed from the 
care of her mother, she was placed in the care of her aunt who also 
proved abusive. Tameka ran away, and was placed in the foster care 
system until she was 18. She then had two more children, Jayla and 
Michael, before finding a family resource center at the Salvation Army 
that connected her and her children to Tennessee's Family First 
program.
  The Family First program and the child care certificates she receives 
through this program enabled Tameka to find work and become a better 
mother. She is currently working 40 hours a week while working on her 
GED. She is about to take the test. Everyday she brings her children 4, 
2, and 1 to the McNeilly Center. Tameka feels confident that not only 
are her children receiving quality care but also she is learning how to 
be a better mother. Her children's teachers are receptive and answer 
all of her questions. She has learned to spend time reading to her 
children so she can contribute to their education, too.
  The Federal CCDBG program funds the child care certificates Tameka 
receives. Without them, Tameka, and her children, would be in a very 
different place today.
  Tameka's dream is to get her GED and attend Tennessee State 
University. The support she receives has given her the chance to 
realize that dream, and make a better life for herself and her 
children. I expect her hard work to payoff.
  Another Tennessee parent who has benefited from the program is Renee 
Prigmore. Renee is currently a toddler teacher at the McNeilly Center 
in Nashville. But she first found McNeilly as a parent, not as a 
teacher. As a single parent of three, she used her child care 
certificates at McNeilly to leave her kids in quality care while she 
attended community college.
  Renee has attained her degree as a Child Development Associate, CDA. 
Her children are now 10, 6, and 4 and she is exiting out of the child 
care program because she is able to provide for her three kids. The 
child care certificates she received enabled her to take the time to 
receive that degree and provide for her family.
  People like Tameka Payton and Renee Prigmore have used the CCDBG 
program to build a new and better life for their families. With the 
introduction of the Caring for Children Act, we can make that program 
even stronger, so that parents raising children are able to build a 
better future for their families. I ask my colleagues to join with me 
in this important endeavor.
  I ask unanimous consent that the text of the bill be printed in the 
Record.
  There being no objection, the bill was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                 S. 525

       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 ``Caring for 
     Children Act of 2005''.
       (b) Table of Contents.--The table of contents for this Act 
     is as follows:

Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents.

      TITLE I--CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ACT OF 1990

Sec. 101. Short title and goals.
Sec. 102. Authorization of appropriations.
Sec. 103. Lead agency.
Sec. 104. State plan.
Sec. 105. Activities to improve the quality of child care.
Sec. 106. Optional priority use of additional funds.
Sec. 107. Reporting requirements.
Sec. 108. National activities.
Sec. 109. Allocation of funds for Indian tribes, quality improvement, 
              and a hotline.
Sec. 110. Definitions.
Sec. 111. Rules of construction.

     TITLE II--ENHANCING SECURITY AT CHILD CARE CENTERS IN FEDERAL 
                               FACILITIES

Sec. 201. Definitions.
Sec. 202. Enhancing security.

  TITLE III--REMOVAL OF BARRIERS TO INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF QUALITY 
                               CHILD CARE

Sec. 301. Small business child care grant program.

      TITLE I--CHILD CARE AND DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT ACT OF 1990

     SEC. 101. SHORT TITLE AND GOALS.

       (a) Heading.--Section 658A of the Child Care and 
     Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9801 note) is 
     amended by striking the section heading and inserting the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 658A. SHORT TITLE AND GOALS.''.

       (b) Goals.--Section 658A(b) of the Child Care and 
     Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9801 note) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (3), by striking ``encourage'' and 
     inserting ``assist'';
       (2) in paragraph (4), by striking ``parents'' and all that 
     follows and inserting ``low-income working parents;'';
       (3) by redesignating paragraph (5) as paragraph (8); and
       (4) by inserting after paragraph (4) the following:
       ``(5) to assist States in improving the quality of child 
     care available to families;
       ``(6) to promote school preparedness by encouraging 
     children, families, and caregivers to engage in 
     developmentally appropriate and age-appropriate activities in 
     child care settings that will--
       ``(A) improve the children's social, emotional, and 
     behavioral skills; and
       ``(B) foster their early cognitive, pre-reading, and 
     language development, and prenumeracy and mathematics skills;
       ``(7) to promote parental and family involvement in the 
     education of young children in child care settings; and''.

     SEC. 102. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS.

       Section 658B of the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
     Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858) is amended by striking 
     ``subchapter'' and all that follows and inserting 
     ``subchapter $2,300,000,000 for fiscal year 2006, 
     $2,500,000,000 for fiscal year 2007, $2,700,000,000 for 
     fiscal year 2008, $2,900,000,000 for fiscal year 2009, and 
     $3,100,000,000 for fiscal year 2010.''.

     SEC. 103. LEAD AGENCY.

       Section 658D(a) of the Child Care and Development Block 
     Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858b(a)) is amended by striking 
     ``designate'' and all that follows and inserting ``designate 
     an agency (which may be an appropriate collaborative agency), 
     or establish a joint interagency office, that complies with 
     the requirements of subsection (b) to serve as the lead 
     agency for the State under this subchapter.''.

     SEC. 104. STATE PLAN.

       (a) Lead Agency.--Section 658E(c)(1) of the Child Care and 
     Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858c(c)(1)) 
     is amended

[[Page S2033]]

     by striking ``designated'' and inserting ``designated or 
     established''.
       (b) Policies and Procedures.--Section 658E(c)(2) of the 
     Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     9858c(c)(2)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A)(i)(II), by striking ``section 
     658P(2)'' and inserting ``section 658T(2)'';
       (2) by striking subparagraph (D) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(D) Consumer and child care provider education 
     information.--Certify that the State will--
       ``(i) collect and disseminate, through resource and 
     referral services and other means as determined by the State, 
     to parents of eligible children, child care providers, and 
     the general public, information regarding--

       ``(I) the promotion of informed child care choices, 
     including information about the quality and availability of 
     child care services;
       ``(II) research and best practices concerning children's 
     development, including early cognitive development;
       ``(III) the availability of assistance to obtain child care 
     services; and
       ``(IV) other programs for which families that receive child 
     care services for which financial assistance is provided 
     under this subchapter may be eligible, including the food 
     stamp program established under the Food Stamp Act of 1977 (7 
     U.S.C. 2011 et seq.), the special supplemental nutrition 
     program for women, infants, and children established by 
     section 17 of the Child Nutrition Act of 1966 (42 U.S.C. 
     1786), the child and adult care food program established 
     under section 17 of the Richard B. Russell National School 
     Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 1766), and the medicaid and State 
     children's health insurance programs under titles XIX and XXI 
     of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 1396 et seq. and 1397aa 
     et seq.); and

       ``(ii) report to the Secretary the manner in which the 
     consumer education information described in clause (i) was 
     provided to parents and the number of parents to whom such 
     consumer education information was provided, during the 
     period of the previous State plan.'';
       (3) by striking subparagraph (E) and inserting the 
     following:
       ``(E) Compliance with state and tribal licensing 
     requirements.--
       ``(i) In general.--Certify that the State (or the Indian 
     tribe or tribal organization) involved has in effect 
     licensing requirements applicable to child care services 
     provided within the State (or area served by the tribe or 
     organization), and provide a detailed description of such 
     requirements and of how such requirements are effectively 
     enforced.
       ``(ii) Construction.--Nothing in clause (i) shall be 
     construed to require that licensing requirements be applied 
     to specific types of providers of child care services.'';
       (4) in subparagraph (F)--
       (A) in the first sentence, by striking ``within the State, 
     under State or local law,'' and inserting ``within the State 
     (or area served by the Indian tribe or tribal organization), 
     under State or local law (or tribal law),''; and
       (B) in the second sentence, by striking ``State or local 
     law'' and inserting ``State or local law (or tribal law)''; 
     and
       (5) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(I) Protection for working parents.--
       ``(i) Redetermination process.--Describe the procedures and 
     policies that are in place to ensure that working parents 
     (especially parents in families receiving assistance under a 
     State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social 
     Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.)) are not required to 
     unduly disrupt their employment in order to comply with the 
     State's requirements for redetermination of eligibility for 
     assistance under this subchapter.
       ``(ii) Minimum period.--Demonstrate that each child that 
     receives assistance under this subchapter in the State will 
     receive such assistance for not less than 6 months before the 
     State redetermines the eligibility of the child under this 
     subchapter, except as provided in clause (iii).
       ``(iii) Period before termination.--At the option of the 
     State, demonstrate that the State will not terminate 
     assistance under this subchapter based on a parent's loss of 
     work or cessation of attendance at a job training or 
     educational program for which the family was receiving the 
     assistance, without continuing the assistance for a 
     reasonable period of time, of not less than 1 month, after 
     such loss or cessation in order for the parent to engage in a 
     job search and resume work, or resume attendance of a job 
     training or educational program, as soon as possible.
       ``(J) Coordination with other programs.--Describe how the 
     State, in order to expand accessibility and continuity of 
     quality early care and early education, will coordinate the 
     early childhood education activities assisted under this 
     subchapter with--
       ``(i) programs carried out under the Head Start Act (42 
     U.S.C. 9831 et seq.), including the Early Head Start programs 
     carried out under section 645A of that Act (42 U.S.C. 9840a);
       ``(ii)(I) Early Reading First and Even Start programs 
     carried out under subparts 2 and 3 of part B of title I of 
     the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 
     6371 et seq., 6381 et seq.);
       ``(II) other preschool programs carried out under title I 
     of that Act (20 U.S.C. 6301 et seq.); and
       ``(III) the Ready-to-Learn Television program carried out 
     under subpart 3 of part D of title II of the Elementary and 
     Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 6775 et seq.);
       ``(iii) programs carried out under section 619 and part C 
     of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
       ``(iv) State prekindergarten programs; and
       ``(v) other early childhood education programs.
       ``(K) Training in early learning and childhood 
     development.--Describe any training requirements that are in 
     effect within the State that are designed to enable child 
     care providers to promote the social, emotional, physical, 
     and cognitive development of children and that are applicable 
     to child care providers that provide services for which 
     assistance is made available under this subchapter in the 
     State.
       ``(L) Public-private partnerships.--Demonstrate how the 
     State is encouraging partnerships among State agencies, other 
     public agencies, and private entities, to leverage existing 
     service delivery systems (as of the date of submission of the 
     State plan) for early childhood education and to increase the 
     supply and quality of child care services for children who 
     are less than 13 years of age.
       ``(M) Access to care for certain populations.--Demonstrate 
     how the State is addressing the child care needs of parents 
     eligible for child care services for which assistance is 
     provided under this subchapter, who have children with 
     special needs, work nontraditional hours, or require child 
     care services for infants and toddlers.
       ``(N) Coordination with title iv of the social security 
     act.--Describe how the State will inform parents receiving 
     assistance under a State program funded under part A of title 
     IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et seq.) and 
     low-income parents about eligibility for assistance under 
     this subchapter.''.
       (c) Use of Block Grant Funds.--Section 658E(c)(3) the Child 
     Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     9858c(c)(3)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``as required under'' 
     and inserting ``in accordance with''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) by striking ``The State'' and inserting the following:
       ``(i) In general.--The State'';
       (B) in clause (i) (as designated in subparagraph (A)), by 
     striking ``appropriate to realize any of the goals specified 
     in paragraphs (2) through (5) of section 658A(b)'' and 
     inserting ``appropriate (which may include an activity 
     described in clause (ii)) to realize any of the goals 
     specified in paragraphs (2) through (8) of section 658A(b)''; 
     and
       (C) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) Child care resource and referral system.--A State 
     may use amounts described in clause (i) to establish or 
     support a system of local child care resource and referral 
     organizations coordinated, to the extent determined 
     appropriate by the State, by a statewide private, nonprofit, 
     community-based lead child care resource and referral 
     organization. The local child care resource and referral 
     organizations shall--

       ``(I) provide parents in the State with information, and 
     consumer education, concerning the full range of child care 
     options, including child care provided during nontraditional 
     hours and through emergency child care centers, in their 
     communities;
       ``(II) collect and analyze data on the supply of and demand 
     for child care in political subdivisions within the State;
       ``(III) submit reports to the State containing data and 
     analysis described in clause (II); and
       ``(IV) work to establish partnerships with public agencies 
     and private entities to increase the supply and quality of 
     child care services.''.

       (d) Direct Services.--Section 658E(c)(3) of the Child Care 
     and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     9858c(c)(3)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``(D)'' and inserting 
     ``(E)''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(E) Direct services.--From amounts provided to a State 
     for a fiscal year to carry out this subchapter, the State 
     shall--
       ``(i) reserve the minimum amount required to be reserved 
     under section 658G, and the funds for costs described in 
     subparagraph (C); and
       ``(ii) from the remainder, use not less than 70 percent to 
     fund direct services (as defined by the State).''.
       (e) Payment Rates.--Section 658E(c)(4) of the Child Care 
     and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     9858c(c)(4)) is amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``The State plan'' and 
     all that follows and inserting the following:
       ``(i) Survey.--The State plan shall--

       ``(I) demonstrate that the State has, after consulting with 
     local area child care program administrators, developed and 
     conducted a statistically valid and reliable survey of the 
     market rates for child care services in the State (that 
     reflects variations in the cost of child care services by 
     geographic area, type of provider, and age of child) within 
     the 2 years preceding the date of the submission of the 
     application containing the State plan;
       ``(II) detail the results of the State market rates survey 
     conducted pursuant to subclause (I);

[[Page S2034]]

       ``(III) describe how the State will provide for timely 
     payment for child care services, and set payment rates for 
     child care services, for which assistance is provided under 
     this subchapter in accordance with the results of the market 
     rates survey conducted pursuant to subclause (I) without 
     reducing the number of families in the State receiving such 
     assistance under this subchapter, relative to the number of 
     such families on the date of introduction of the Caring for 
     Children Act of 2005; and
       ``(IV) describe how the State will, not later than 30 days 
     after the completion of the survey described in subclause 
     (I), make the results of the survey widely available through 
     public means, including posting the results on the Internet.

       ``(ii) Equal access.--The State plan shall include a 
     certification that the payment rates are sufficient to ensure 
     equal access for eligible children to child care services 
     comparable to child care services in the State or substate 
     area that are provided to children whose parents are not 
     eligible to receive child care assistance under any Federal 
     or State program.''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (B)--
       (A) by striking ``Nothing'' and inserting the following:
       ``(i) No private right of action.--Nothing''; and
       (B) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(ii) No prohibition of certain different rates.--Nothing 
     in this subchapter shall be construed to prevent a State from 
     differentiating the payment rates described in subparagraph 
     (A) on the basis of--

       ``(I) geographic location of child care providers (such as 
     location in an urban or rural area);
       ``(II) the age or particular needs of children (such as 
     children with special needs and children served by child 
     protective services);
       ``(III) whether the providers provide child care during 
     weekend and other nontraditional hours; and
       ``(IV) the State's determination that such differentiated 
     payment rates are needed to enable a parent to choose child 
     care that the parent believes to be of high quality.''.

     SEC. 105. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE.

       Section 658G of the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
     Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858e) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 658G. ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE THE QUALITY OF CHILD CARE.

       ``(a) In General.--
       ``(1) Reservation.--Each State that receives funds to carry 
     out this subchapter for a fiscal year shall reserve and use 
     not less than 6 percent of the funds for activities provided 
     directly, or through grants or contracts with resource and 
     referral organizations or other appropriate entities, that 
     are designed to improve the quality of child care services.
       ``(2) Activities.--The funds reserved under paragraph (1) 
     may only be used to--
       ``(A) develop and implement voluntary guidelines on pre-
     reading and language skills and activities, and prenumeracy 
     and mathematics skills and activities, for child care 
     programs in the State, that are aligned with State standards 
     for kindergarten through grade 12 or the State's general 
     goals for school preparedness;
       ``(B) support activities and provide technical assistance 
     in Federal, State, and local child care settings to enhance 
     early learning for preschool and school-aged children, to 
     promote literacy, to foster school preparedness, and to 
     support later school success;
       ``(C) offer training, professional development, and 
     educational opportunities for child care providers that 
     relate to the use of developmentally appropriate and age-
     appropriate curricula, and early childhood teaching 
     strategies, that are scientifically based and aligned with 
     the social, emotional, physical, and cognitive development of 
     children, including--
       ``(i) developing and operating distance learning child care 
     training infrastructures;
       ``(ii) developing model technology-based training courses;
       ``(iii) offering training for caregivers in informal child 
     care settings; and
       ``(iv) offering training for child care providers who care 
     for infants and toddlers and children with special needs.
       ``(D) engage in programs designed to increase the retention 
     and improve the competencies of child care providers, 
     including wage incentive programs and initiatives that 
     establish tiered payment rates for providers that meet or 
     exceed child care services guidelines, as defined by the 
     State;
       ``(E) evaluate and assess the quality and effectiveness of 
     child care programs and services offered in the State to 
     young children on improving overall school preparedness; and
       ``(F) carry out other activities determined by the State to 
     improve the quality of child care services provided in the 
     State and for which measurement of outcomes relating to 
     improved child safety, child well-being, or school 
     preparedness is possible.
       ``(b) Certification.--Beginning with fiscal year 2006, the 
     State shall annually submit to the Secretary a certification 
     in which the State certifies that the State was in compliance 
     with subsection (a) during the preceding fiscal year and 
     describes how the State used funds made available to carry 
     out this subchapter to comply with subsection (a) during that 
     preceding fiscal year.
       ``(c) Strategy.--The State shall annually submit to the 
     Secretary--
       ``(1) beginning with fiscal year 2006, an outline of the 
     strategy the State will implement during that fiscal year to 
     address the quality of child care services for which 
     financial assistance is made available under this subchapter, 
     including--
       ``(A) a statement specifying how the State will address the 
     activities carried out under subsection (a);
       ``(B) a description of quantifiable, objective measures 
     that the State will use to evaluate the State's progress in 
     improving the quality of the child care services (including 
     measures regarding the impact, if any, of State efforts to 
     improve the quality by increasing payment rates, as defined 
     in section 658H(c)), evaluating separately the impact of the 
     activities listed in each of such subparagraphs on the 
     quality of the child care services; and
       ``(C) a list of State-developed child care services quality 
     targets quantified for such fiscal year for such measures; 
     and
       ``(2) beginning with fiscal year 2007, a report on the 
     State's progress in achieving such targets for the preceding 
     fiscal year.
       ``(d) Improvement Plan.--If the Secretary determines that a 
     State failed to make progress as described in subsection 
     (c)(2) for a fiscal year--
       ``(1) the State shall submit an improvement plan that 
     describes the measures the State will take to make that 
     progress; and
       ``(2) the State shall comply with the improvement plan by a 
     date specified by the Secretary but not later than 1 year 
     after the date of the determination.
       ``(e) Construction.--Nothing in this subchapter shall be 
     construed to require that the State apply measures for 
     evaluating quality of child care services to specific types 
     of child care providers.''.

     SEC. 106. OPTIONAL PRIORITY USE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

       The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 is 
     amended by inserting after section 658G (42 U.S.C. 9858e) the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 658H. OPTIONAL PRIORITY USE OF ADDITIONAL FUNDS.

       ``(a) In General.--If a State receives funds to carry out 
     this subchapter for a fiscal year, and the amount of the 
     funds exceeds the amount of funds the State received to carry 
     out this subchapter for fiscal year 2005, the State shall 
     consider using a portion of the excess--
       ``(1) to support payment rate increases in accordance with 
     the market rate survey conducted pursuant to section 
     658E(c)(4);
       ``(2) to support the establishment of tiered payment rates 
     as described in section 658G(a)(2)(D); and
       ``(3) to support payment rate increases for care for 
     children in communities served by local educational agencies 
     that have been identified for improvement under section 
     1116(c)(3) of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 6316(c)(3)).
       ``(b) No Requirement To Reduce Child Care Services.--
     Nothing in this section shall be construed to require a State 
     to take an action that the State determines would result in a 
     reduction of child care services to families of eligible 
     children.
       ``(c) Payment Rate.--In this section, the term `payment 
     rate' means the rate of State payment or reimbursement to 
     providers for subsidized child care.''.

     SEC. 107. REPORTING REQUIREMENTS.

       (a) Heading.--Section 658K of the Child Care and 
     Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858i) is 
     amended by striking the section heading and inserting the 
     following:

     ``SEC. 658K. REPORTS AND AUDITS.''.

       (b) Required Information.--Section 658K(a) of the Child 
     Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     9858i(a)) is amended to read as follows:
       ``(a) Reports.--
       ``(1) In general.--A State that receives funds to carry out 
     this subchapter shall collect the information described in 
     paragraph (2) on a monthly basis.
       ``(2) Required information.--The information required under 
     this paragraph shall include, with respect to a family unit 
     receiving assistance under this subchapter, information 
     concerning--
       ``(A) family income;
       ``(B) county of residence;
       ``(C) the gender, race, and age of children receiving such 
     assistance;
       ``(D) whether the head of the family unit is a single 
     parent;
       ``(E) the sources of family income, including--
       ``(i) employment, including self-employment; and
       ``(ii) assistance under a State program funded under part A 
     of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 601 et 
     seq.) and a State program for which State spending is counted 
     toward the maintenance of effort requirement under section 
     409(a)(7) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 609(a)(7));
       ``(F) the type of child care in which the child was 
     enrolled (such as family child care, home care, center-based 
     child care, or other types of child care described in section 
     658T(5));
       ``(G) whether the child care provider involved was a 
     relative;
       ``(H) the cost of child care for such family, separately 
     stating the amount of the subsidy payment of the State and 
     the amount of the co-payment of the family toward such cost;
       ``(I) the average hours per month of such care;

[[Page S2035]]

       ``(J) household size;
       ``(K) whether the parent involved reports that the child 
     has an individualized education program or an individualized 
     family service plan, as such terms are defined in section 602 
     of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act; and
       ``(L) the reason for any termination of benefits under this 
     subchapter, including whether the termination was due to--
       ``(i) the child's age exceeding the allowable limit;
       ``(ii) the family income exceeding the State eligibility 
     limit;
       ``(iii) the State recertification or administrative 
     requirements not being met;
       ``(iv) parent work, training, or education status no longer 
     meeting State requirements;
       ``(v) a nonincome related change in status; or
       ``(vi) other reasons;
     during the period for which such information is required to 
     be submitted.
       ``(3) Submission to secretary.--A State described in 
     paragraph (1) shall, on a quarterly basis, submit to the 
     Secretary the information required to be collected under 
     paragraph (2) and the number of children and families 
     receiving assistance under this subchapter (stated on a 
     monthly basis). Information on the number of families 
     receiving the assistance shall also be posted on the website 
     of such State. In the fourth quarterly report of each year, a 
     State described in paragraph (1) shall also submit to the 
     Secretary information on the annual number and type of child 
     care providers (as described in section 658T(5)) that 
     received funding under this subchapter and the annual number 
     of payments made by the State through vouchers, under 
     contracts, or by payment to parents reported by type of child 
     care provider.
       ``(4) Use of samples.--
       ``(A) Authority.--A State may comply with the requirement 
     to collect the information described in paragraph (2) through 
     the use of disaggregated case record information on a sample 
     of families selected through the use of scientifically 
     acceptable sampling methods approved by the Secretary.
       ``(B) Sampling and other methods.--The Secretary shall 
     provide the States with such case sampling plans and data 
     collection procedures as the Secretary determines necessary 
     to produce statistically valid samples of the information 
     described in paragraph (2). The Secretary may develop and 
     implement procedures for verifying the quality of data 
     submitted by the States.''.
       (c) Period of Compliance and Waivers.--
       (1) In general.--States shall have 2 years from the date of 
     enactment of this Act to comply with the changes to data 
     collection and reporting required by the amendments made by 
     this section.
       (2) Waivers.--The Secretary of Health and Human Services 
     may grant a waiver from paragraph (1) to States with plans to 
     procure data systems.

     SEC. 108. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

       Section 658L of the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
     Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858j) is amended to read as follows:

     ``SEC. 658L. NATIONAL ACTIVITIES.

       ``(a) Report.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall, not later than 
     April 30, 2006, and annually thereafter, prepare and submit 
     to the Committee on Education and the Workforce of the House 
     of Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, 
     Labor, and Pensions of the Senate, and, not later than 30 
     days after the date of such submission, post on the 
     Department of Health and Human Services website, a report 
     that contains the following:
       ``(A) A summary and analysis of the data and information 
     provided to the Secretary in the State reports submitted 
     under sections 658E, 658G(c), and 658K.
       ``(B) Aggregated statistics on and an analysis of the 
     supply of, demand for, and quality of child care, early 
     education, and nonschool-hour programs.
       ``(C) An assessment and, where appropriate, recommendations 
     for Congress concerning efforts that should be undertaken to 
     improve the access of the public to quality and affordable 
     child care in the United States.
       ``(D) A progress report describing the progress of the 
     States in streamlining data reporting, the Secretary's plans 
     and activities to provide technical assistance to States, and 
     an explanation of any barriers to getting data in an accurate 
     and timely manner.
       ``(2) Collection of information.--The Secretary may make 
     arrangements with resource and referral organizations, to 
     utilize the child care data system of the resource and 
     referral organizations at the national, State, and local 
     levels, to collect the information required by paragraph 
     (1)(B).
       ``(b) Grants To Improve Quality and Access.--
       ``(1) In general.--The Secretary shall award grants to 
     States, from allotments made under paragraph (2), to improve 
     the quality of and access to child care for infants and 
     toddlers, subject to the availability of appropriations for 
     this purpose.
       ``(2) Allotments.--From funds reserved under section 
     658O(a)(3) for a fiscal year, the Secretary shall allot to 
     each State an amount that bears the same relationship to such 
     funds as the amount the State receives for the fiscal year 
     under section 658O bears to the amount all States receive for 
     the fiscal year under section 658O.
       ``(c) Toll-Free Hotline.--The Secretary shall award a grant 
     or contract, or enter into a cooperative agreement for the 
     operation of a national toll-free hotline to assist families 
     in accessing local information on child care options and 
     providing consumer education materials, subject to the 
     availability of appropriations for this purpose.
       ``(d) Technical Assistance.--The Secretary shall provide 
     technical assistance to States on developing and conducting 
     the State market rates survey described in section 
     658E(c)(4)(A)(i).''.

     SEC. 109. ALLOCATION OF FUNDS FOR INDIAN TRIBES, QUALITY 
                   IMPROVEMENT, AND A HOTLINE.

       (a) In General.--Section 658O(a) of the Child Care and 
     Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858m(a)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in paragraph (2), by striking ``not less than 1 
     percent, and not more than 2 percent,'' and inserting ``2 
     percent''; and
       (2) by adding at the end the following:
       ``(3) Grants to improve quality and access.--The Secretary 
     shall reserve an amount not to exceed $100,000,000 for each 
     fiscal year to carry out section 658L(b), subject to the 
     availability of appropriations for this purpose.
       ``(4) Toll-free hotline.--The Secretary shall reserve an 
     amount not to exceed $1,000,000 to carry out section 658L(c), 
     subject to the availability of appropriations for this 
     purpose.''.
       (b) Conforming Amendment.--Section 658O(c)(1) of the Child 
     Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     9858m(c)(1)) is amended by inserting ``(in accordance with 
     the requirements of subparagraphs (E) and (F) of section 
     658E(c)(2) for such tribes or organizations)'' after 
     ``applications under this section''.

     SEC. 110. DEFINITIONS.

       (a) Eligible Child.--Section 658P(4) of the Child Care and 
     Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n(4)) is 
     amended--
       (1) in subparagraph (B), in the matter preceding clause 
     (i), by striking ``85 percent of the State median income for 
     a family of the same size'' and inserting ``an income level 
     determined by the State involved, with priority based on need 
     as defined by the State''; and
       (2) in subparagraph (C)--
       (A) in clause (i), by striking ``a parent or parents'' and 
     inserting ``a parent (including a legal guardian or foster 
     parent) or parents''; and
       (B) by striking clause (ii) and inserting the following:
       ``(ii)(I) is receiving, or needs to receive, protective 
     services (which may include foster care) or is a child with 
     significant cognitive or physical disabilities as defined by 
     the State; and
       ``(II) resides with a parent (including a legal guardian or 
     foster parent) or parents not described in clause (i).''.
       (b) Child With Special Needs.--Section 658P of the Child 
     Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 
     9858n) is amended by inserting after paragraph (2) the 
     following:
       ``(3) Child with special needs.--The term `child with 
     special needs' means--
       ``(A) a child with a disability, as defined in section 602 
     of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act;
       ``(B) a child who is eligible for early intervention 
     services under part C of the Individuals with Disabilities 
     Education Act; and
       ``(C) a child with special needs, as defined by the State 
     involved.''.
       (c) Lead Agency.--Section 658P(8) of the Child Care and 
     Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n(8)) is 
     amended by striking ``section 658B(a)'' and inserting 
     ``section 658D(a)''.
       (d) Parent.--Section 658P(9) of the Child Care and 
     Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858n(9)) is 
     amended by inserting ``, foster parent,'' after ``guardian''.
       (e) Native Hawaiian Organization.--Section 658P(14)(B) of 
     the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 
     U.S.C. 9858n(14)(B)) is amended by striking ``Native Hawaiian 
     Organization, as defined in section 4009(4) of the Augustus 
     F. Hawkins-Robert T. Stafford Elementary and Secondary School 
     Improvement Amendments of 1988 (20 U.S.C. 4909(4))'' and 
     inserting ``Native Hawaiian organization, as defined in 
     section 7207 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 
     1965 (20 U.S.C. 7517)''.
       (f) Redesignation.--The Child Care and Development Block 
     Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.) is amended--
       (1) by redesignating section 658P as section 658T; and
       (2) by moving that section 658T to the end of the Act.

     SEC. 111. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

       The Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990 (as 
     amended by section 110(f)) is further amended by inserting 
     after section 658O (42 U.S.C. 9858m) the following:

     ``SEC. 658P. RULES OF CONSTRUCTION.

       ``Nothing in this subchapter shall be construed to require 
     a State to impose State child care licensing requirements on 
     any type of early childhood provider, including any such 
     provider who is exempt from State child care licensing 
     requirements on the date of enactment of the Caring for 
     Children Act of 2005.''.

     TITLE II--ENHANCING SECURITY AT CHILD CARE CENTERS IN FEDERAL 
                               FACILITIES

     SEC. 201. DEFINITIONS.

       In this title:

[[Page S2036]]

       (1) Administrator.--The term ``Administrator'' means the 
     Administrator of General Services.
       (2) Corresponding child care facility.--The term 
     ``corresponding child care facility'', used with respect to 
     the Chief Administrative Officer of the House of 
     Representatives, the Librarian of Congress, or the head of a 
     designated entity in the Senate, means a child care facility 
     operated by, or under a contract or licensing agreement with, 
     an office of the House of Representatives, the Library of 
     Congress, or an office of the Senate, respectively.
       (3) Entity sponsoring a child care facility.--The term 
     ``entity sponsoring'', used with respect to 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 (5)(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.

     SEC. 202. ENHANCING SECURITY.

       (a) Coverage.--
       (1) Executive branch.--The Administrator shall issue the 
     regulations described in subsection (b) for child care 
     facilities, and entities sponsoring child care facilities, in 
     executive facilities.
       (2) Legislative branch.--The Chief Administrative Officer 
     of the House of Representatives, the Librarian of Congress, 
     and the head of a designated entity in the Senate shall issue 
     the regulations described in subsection (b) for corresponding 
     child care facilities, and entities sponsoring the 
     corresponding child care facilities, in legislative 
     facilities.
       (3) Judicial branch.--The Director of the Administrative 
     Office of the United States Courts shall issue the 
     regulations described in subsection (b) for child care 
     facilities, and entities sponsoring child care facilities, in 
     judicial facilities.
       (b) Regulations.--The officers and designated entity 
     described in subsection (a) shall issue regulations that 
     concern--
       (1) matters relating to an occupant emergency plan and 
     evacuations, such as--
       (A) providing for building security committee membership 
     for each director of a child care facility described in 
     subsection (a);
       (B) establishing a separate section in an occupant 
     emergency plan for each such facility;
       (C) promoting familiarity with procedures and evacuation 
     routes for different types of emergencies (such as 
     emergencies caused by hazardous materials, a fire, a bomb 
     threat, a power failure, or a natural disaster);
       (D) strengthening onsite relationships between security 
     personnel and the personnel of such a facility, such as by 
     ensuring that the post orders of guards reflect 
     responsibility for the facility;
       (E) providing specific, clear, and concise evacuation 
     instructions for a facility, including instructions 
     specifying who authorizes an evacuation;
       (F) providing for good evacuation equipment, especially 
     cribs; and
       (G) promoting the ability to evacuate without outside 
     assistance; and
       (2) matters relating to relocation sites, such as--
       (A) promoting an informed parent body that is knowledgeable 
     about evacuation procedures and relocation sites;
       (B) providing regularly updated parent contact information 
     (regarding matters such as names, locations, electronic mail 
     addresses, and cell phone and other telephone numbers);
       (C) establishing remote telephone contact for parents, to 
     and from areas that are not less than 10 miles from such a 
     facility; and
       (D) providing for an alternate site (in addition to regular 
     sites) in the event of a catastrophe, which site may 
     include--
       (i) a site that would be an unreasonable distance from the 
     facility under normal circumstances; and
       (ii) a facility with 24-hour operations, such as a hotel or 
     law school library.

  TITLE III--REMOVAL OF BARRIERS TO INCREASING THE SUPPLY OF QUALITY 
                               CHILD CARE

     SEC. 301. SMALL BUSINESS CHILD CARE GRANT PROGRAM.

       (a) Establishment.--The Secretary of Health and Human 
     Services (referred to in this section as the ``Secretary'') 
     shall establish a program to award grants to States, on a 
     competitive basis, to assist States in providing funds to 
     encourage the establishment and operation of employer-
     operated child care programs.
       (b) Application.--To be eligible to receive a grant under 
     this section, a State shall prepare and submit to the 
     Secretary an application at such time, in such manner, and 
     containing such information as the Secretary may require, 
     including an assurance that the funds required under 
     subsection (e) will be provided.
       (c) Amount of Grant.--The Secretary shall determine the 
     amount of a grant to a State under this section based on the 
     population of the State as compared to the population of all 
     States receiving grants under this section.
       (d) Use of Funds.--
       (1) In general.--A State shall use amounts provided under a 
     grant awarded under this section to provide assistance to 
     small businesses (or consortia formed in accordance with 
     paragraph (3)) located in the State to enable the small 
     businesses (or consortia) to establish and operate child care 
     programs. Such assistance may include--
       (A) technical assistance in the establishment of a child 
     care program;
       (B) assistance for the startup costs related to a child 
     care program;
       (C) assistance for the training of child care providers;
       (D) scholarships for low-income wage earners;
       (E) the provision of services to care for sick children or 
     to provide care to school-aged children;
       (F) the entering into of contracts with local resource and 
     referral or local health departments;
       (G) assistance for care for children with disabilities;
       (H) payment of expenses for renovation or operation of a 
     child care facility; or
       (I) assistance for any other activity determined 
     appropriate by the State.
       (2) Application.--In order for a small business or 
     consortium to be eligible to receive assistance from a State 
     under this section, the small business involved shall prepare 
     and submit to the State an application at such time, in such 
     manner, and containing such information as the State may 
     require.
       (3) Preference.--
       (A) In general.--In providing assistance under this 
     section, a State shall give priority to an applicant that 
     desires to form a consortium to provide child care in a 
     geographic area within the State where such care is not 
     generally available or accessible.
       (B) Consortium.--For purposes of subparagraph (A), a 
     consortium shall be made up of 2 or more entities that shall 
     include small businesses and that may include large 
     businesses, nonprofit agencies or organizations, local 
     governments, or other appropriate entities.
       (4) Limitation.--With respect to grant funds received under 
     this section, a State may not provide in excess of $500,000 
     in assistance from such funds to any single applicant.
       (e) Matching Requirement.--To be eligible to receive a 
     grant under this section, a State shall provide assurances to 
     the Secretary that, with respect to the costs to be incurred 
     by a covered entity receiving assistance in carrying out 
     activities under this section, the covered entity will make 
     available (directly or through donations from public or 
     private entities) non-Federal contributions to such costs in 
     an amount equal to--
       (1) for the first fiscal year in which the covered entity 
     receives such assistance, not less than 50 percent of such 
     costs ($1 for each $1 of assistance provided to the covered 
     entity under the grant);
       (2) for the second fiscal year in which the covered entity 
     receives such assistance, not less than 66\2/3\ percent of 
     such costs ($2 for each $1 of assistance provided to the 
     covered entity under the grant; and
       (3) for the third fiscal year in which the covered entity 
     receives such assistance, not less than 75 percent of such 
     costs ($3 for each $1 of assistance provided to the covered 
     entity under the grant.
       (f) Requirements of Providers.--To be eligible to receive 
     assistance under a grant awarded under this section, a child 
     care provider shall comply with all applicable State and 
     local licensing and regulatory requirements and all 
     applicable health and safety standards in effect in the 
     State.
       (g) State-Level Activities.--A State may not retain more 
     than 3 percent of the amount described in subsection (c) for 
     State administration and other State-level activities.
       (h) Administration.--
       (1) State responsibility.--A State shall have 
     responsibility for administering a grant awarded for the 
     State under this section and for monitoring covered entities 
     that receive assistance under such grant.
       (2) Audits.--A State shall require each covered entity 
     receiving assistance under the grant awarded under this 
     section to conduct an annual audit with respect to the 
     activities of the covered entity. Such audits shall be 
     submitted to the State.
       (3) Misuse of funds.--

[[Page S2037]]

       (A) Repayment.--If the State determines, through an audit 
     or otherwise, that a covered entity receiving assistance 
     under a grant awarded under this section has misused the 
     assistance, the State shall notify the Secretary of the 
     misuse. The Secretary, upon such a notification, may seek 
     from such a covered entity the repayment of an amount equal 
     to the amount of any such misused assistance plus interest.
       (B) Appeals process.--The Secretary shall by regulation 
     provide for an appeals process with respect to repayments 
     under this paragraph.
       (i) Reporting Requirements.--
       (1) 2-year study.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 2 years after the date on 
     which the Secretary first awards grants under this section, 
     the Secretary shall conduct a study to determine--
       (i) the capacity of covered entities to meet the child care 
     needs of communities within States;
       (ii) the kinds of consortia that are being formed with 
     respect to child care at the local level to carry out 
     programs funded under this section; and
       (iii) who is using the programs funded under this section 
     and the income levels of such individuals.
       (B) Report.--Not later than 28 months after the date on 
     which the Secretary first awards grants under this section, 
     the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate 
     committees of Congress a report on the results of the study 
     conducted in accordance with subparagraph (A).
       (2) 4-year study.--
       (A) In general.--Not later than 4 years after the date on 
     which the Secretary first awards grants under this section, 
     the Secretary shall conduct a study to determine the number 
     of child care facilities that are funded through covered 
     entities that received assistance through a grant awarded 
     under this section and that remain in operation, and the 
     extent to which such facilities are meeting the child care 
     needs of the individuals served by such facilities.
       (B) Report.--Not later than 52 months after the date on 
     which the Secretary first awards grants under this section, 
     the Secretary shall prepare and submit to the appropriate 
     committees of Congress a report on the results of the study 
     conducted in accordance with subparagraph (A).
       (j) Definitions.--In this section:
       (1) Covered entity.--The term ``covered entity'' means a 
     small business or a consortium formed in accordance with 
     subsection (d)(3).
       (2) Small business.--The term ``small business'' means an 
     employer who employed an average of at least 2 but not more 
     than 50 employees on business days during the preceding 
     calendar year.
       (k) Authorization of Appropriations.--
       (1) In general.--There is authorized to be appropriated to 
     carry out this section, $50,000,000 for the period of fiscal 
     years 2006 through 2010.
       (2) Evaluations and administration.--With respect to the 
     total amount appropriated for such period in accordance with 
     this subsection, not more than $2,500,000 of that amount may 
     be used for expenditures related to conducting evaluations 
     required under, and the administration of, this section.
       (l) Termination of Program.--The program established under 
     subsection (a) shall terminate on September 30, 2010.

  Mr. ENZI. Mr. President, today I am pleased to be joined by Senators 
Kennedy, Alexander and Dodd in introducing the ``Caring for Children 
Act of 2005'' which reauthorizes the Child Care and Development Block 
Grant (CCDBG). This legislation is essential to continued success with 
welfare reform because it helps low-income parents find and pay for 
affordable child care so that they can work.
  As members of this body know, child care vouchers provided to parents 
by States using CCDBG funds greatly facilitate the expansion of child 
care subsidies and promote parental choice by allowing eligible parents 
to select their preferred type of care setting and provider, including 
faith-based providers.
  Current law provides States with flexibility in determining how to 
address the child care needs of low-income families and children, 
including establishing the eligibility requirements for participation.
  The legislation we are introducing today adds even greater 
flexibility by proposing to eliminate the arbitrary Federal ceiling for 
eligibility. Removal of this ceiling, previously set at 85 percent of 
State median income, eliminates any Federal income-based restriction on 
State determination of who receives benefits. However States must 
continue to prioritize families based on need.
  States provide child care assistance to both TANF and non-TANF 
families. For the first time the Caring for Children Act requires 
States and territories to show they are spending at least 70 percent of 
their mandatory child care money on actual subsidies for child care. 
For TANF families, families transitioning off TANF, and families at 
risk of becoming dependent on public assistance an assurance of the 
State's commitment to providing significant funds for direct assistance 
is critical.
  The bill we are introducing today also addresses factors that in the 
past made finding care difficult for parents. We have specifically 
required States to meet the child care needs of parents who have 
children with special needs, parents who work non-traditional hours, or 
parents who need child care for infants and toddlers. Additionally, the 
legislation streamlines and reduces unnecessary paperwork by allowing 
States to provide assistance to eligible families for six months before 
re-determining eligibility.
  The bill also supports the needs of small business owners and 
operators, by providing resources for small businesses to join together 
to provide child care for their employees. This will be of great help 
for rural areas, where small businesses provide most of the employment 
opportunities.

  Last, but most importantly, the bill responds to, in significant 
ways, the very disturbing reports about the lack of quality in child 
care and the lack of tangible results from current investments in 
quality. The bill before us increases the quality set-aside from 4 to 6 
percent and directs child care quality funds toward activities that can 
really make a difference. Under this bill, States would develop child 
care quality targets and would be held accountable to reach those 
targets. Quality funds would be available for States to: develop and 
implement voluntary guidelines on pre-reading and language skills and 
prenumeracy and mathematic skills and activities for child care 
programs in the State; support activities and provide technical 
assistance to enhance early learning and school preparedness in 
Federal, State and local child care settings; offer training, 
professional development and educational opportunities for child care 
providers that relate to scientifically based curricula and teaching 
strategies through several means including distance learning; offer 
incentives for child care providers that meet or exceed State child 
care services guidelines; evaluate and assess the quality and 
effectiveness of child care programs and services offered in the State 
to young children on improving overall school preparedness; and other 
activities that can be shown to improve child safety, child well-being, 
or school preparedness.
  The improvements made to the program by this legislation and the 
resources it provides will continue to help provide quality child care 
in my home State of Wyoming, and other rural States. Many families in 
Wyoming reside in very isolated areas, and by helping to support child 
care centers in those rural areas, this legislation will help provide 
high quality child care; a service that many in those communities might 
otherwise be forced to do without.
  This legislation represents a truly bi-partisan effort and I look 
forward to having it signed into law this year. The Caring for Children 
Act includes some very important changes in our nation's premier child 
care program that provide families with the assistance they need to 
work and access to child care that best meets their children's needs.
                                 ______