Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
The bill amends the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act and the Child and Adult Care Food Program statute to require the Secretary to investigate fraud and to permanently debar child care providers or institutions after a final determination of fraud.
It establishes cross-debarment between the two programs (debarment in one triggers debarment in the other) and defines "final determination of fraud" to include knowingly submitting false documentation, misrepresenting enrollment or services, operating without required licensing, improper expenditures, or other conduct constituting fraud under law.
Content is narrow and administratively focused so it is plausible, but standalone bills often stall and permanency/legal concerns add uncertainty.
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill makes clear, targeted substantive changes by adding statutory debarment requirements and definitions to two existing programs and by creating reciprocal debarment. The proposal specifies the legal trigger for debarment and the responsible federal official but leaves procedural, resourcing, and accountability details underdeveloped.
Liberals worry about access and reinstatement; conservatives prioritize strict deterrence.
Liberals worry about access and reinstatement; conservatives prioritize strict deterrence.
Generally supportive of stronger anti-fraud safeguards to protect taxpayers and program integrity, but cautious about impacts on access and small providers.
Concerned that "permanent" debarment could be overly punitive and reduce child care options in underserved areas.
Wants clear due-process protections and pathways for reinstatement for honest mistakes.
Favors stronger fraud deterrence while insisting on proportionality and administrative capacity.
Sees merit in cross-debarment to prevent program shopping, but wants due-process clarity, transparent standards, and funding for investigations.
Would back the bill if procedural safeguards and implementation resources are added.
Strongly supportive of rigorous anti-fraud measures and permanent debarment to deter misuse of federal funds.
Views cross-debarment as an efficient way to prevent fraudsters from shifting between programs.
Less worried about provider shortages than about protecting taxpayer money and accountability.
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Reached or meaningfully advanced
Still ahead
Still ahead
Still ahead
Content is narrow and administratively focused so it is plausible, but standalone bills often stall and permanency/legal concerns add uncertainty.
The bill has not accumulated any surfaced votes yet.
Liberals worry about access and reinstatement; conservatives prioritize strict deterrence.
Content is narrow and administratively focused so it is plausible, but standalone bills often stall and permanency/legal concerns add uncer…
Relative to its intended legislative type, this bill makes clear, targeted substantive changes by adding statutory debarment requirements and definitions to two existing programs and by creating reciprocal debarment. Th…
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