Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act of 2025

The Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act of 2025 creates a three-year grant pilot program to help fund and operate child care for the minor children of law enforcement officers who work nontraditional hours and shift schedules. Administered by the Department of Health and Human Services (through the Administration for Children and Families), the program awards competitive grants to lead agencies that then pass funds to eligible local entities (covered entities) to establish or contract for child care services. A key goal is to support law enforcement recruitment and retention by alleviating childcare barriers for officers with nonstandard hours. The act sets aside a portion of funding for smaller law enforcement agencies (fewer than 200 full-time officers) or consortia including such agencies. It also imposes matching requirements, oversight, and mandated studies to assess program reach and effectiveness. The program would operate from fiscal years 2026 through 2030, with a termination date of September 30, 2030, and would total about $24 million per year, plus limited funds for studies and administration. Sponsor information notes the bill was introduced in the Senate by Senators Gillibrand and Tillis. The text outlines the program’s structure, eligibility, allowable uses of funds, reporting, auditing, and studies to evaluate impact.