Child Care Access and Affordability Act of 2025
Summary
The Child Care Access and Affordability Act of 2025 directs the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to conduct a study on barriers to accessing the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990. The study will focus on the impact of inflation and state eligibility standards on families' ability to access child care services. The GAO is required to report its findings to Congress within 18 months of the Act's enactment.
Expected Effects
The Act will likely lead to a better understanding of the challenges families face in accessing affordable child care. This understanding could inform future policy decisions aimed at improving child care access and affordability. The study's findings may also prompt states to re-evaluate their eligibility standards and payment rates.
Potential Benefits
- Provides data-driven insights into the challenges families face in accessing child care.
- Informs policymakers about the impact of inflation on child care affordability.
- Identifies potential state-level reforms that could reduce waitlists for child care services.
- Promotes transparency and accountability in the use of Child Care and Development Block Grant funds.
- Potentially leads to improved child care policies and increased access for families.
Potential Disadvantages
- The study's findings may not lead to immediate policy changes.
- The 18-month timeframe for the study could delay action on child care affordability.
- The study's scope is limited to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act, potentially overlooking other relevant factors.
- The Act does not provide funding for child care services, only for a study.
- The effectiveness of the Act depends on the GAO's ability to conduct a thorough and unbiased study.
Constitutional Alignment
The Act appears to align with the Constitution, particularly the "general Welfare" clause of the Preamble, as it aims to study and potentially improve access to child care. Article I, Section 8 grants Congress the power to collect taxes and provide for the general welfare of the United States. The Act does not appear to infringe on any specific constitutional rights or limitations.
Impact Assessment: Things You Care About ⓘ
This action has been evaluated across 19 key areas that matter to you. Scores range from 1 (highly disadvantageous) to 5 (highly beneficial).