Bill Summary
This legislation mandates that the Secretaries of Veterans Affairs and Education produce a comprehensive report within 180 days of the bill's enactment. The report will focus on the state of childcare services available to veteran families, evaluating their availability, accessibility, and affordability. Specifically, it will assess current childcare options, identify any gaps in services, and analyze barriers that veteran families face in accessing childcare, such as costs, geographical distance, and eligibility criteria. The term "veteran family" is defined according to existing legal standards. The goal of the report is to provide Congress with a clearer understanding of the childcare landscape for veteran families, which could inform future policies and resource allocation.
Possible Impacts
Here are three examples of how the legislation could affect people:
1. **Increased Awareness of Childcare Needs**: The report mandated by this legislation could raise awareness among policymakers and the public about the specific childcare needs of veteran families. By highlighting the availability, accessibility, and affordability of childcare, it could lead to increased advocacy for resources and support tailored to veterans, potentially resulting in improved childcare services and funding directed toward this demographic.
2. **Identification of Gaps and Barriers**: The assessment and evaluation components of the report are likely to identify gaps in current childcare options and barriers faced by veteran families. For example, if the report finds that many veteran families are located in rural areas with limited childcare facilities, this could prompt local governments or organizations to create targeted programs, ultimately improving access to childcare services for these families.
3. **Informed Policy Changes**: The findings from the joint report could inform future legislation and policies regarding childcare support for veteran families. If barriers such as high costs or strict eligibility criteria are identified, lawmakers may use this information to push for regulations that make childcare more affordable or accessible, directly impacting the lives of veteran families by alleviating some of the financial and logistical burdens associated with childcare.
[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 6026 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
119th CONGRESS
1st Session
H. R. 6026
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of
Education to submit a report on the availability, accessibility, and
affordability of childcare for veteran families.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
November 12, 2025
Mr. Gottheimer (for himself and Mrs. Hinson) introduced the following
bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce,
and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to
be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for
consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the
committee concerned
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Secretary of
Education to submit a report on the availability, accessibility, and
affordability of childcare for veteran families.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. DEPARTMENT OF VETERANS AFFAIRS AND DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
JOINT REPORT ON CHILDCARE FOR VETERAN FAMILIES.
(a) In General.--Not later than 180 days after the date of the
enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Veterans and the Secretary of
Education shall submit to Congress a joint report on the availability,
accessability, and affordability of childcare for veteran families.
Such report shall include--
(1) an assessment of childcare options available to veteran
families as of the date of the submission of the report;
(2) an identification of gaps in childcare options for
veteran families; and
(3) an evaluation of barriers to childcare for veteran
families, including--
(A) cost;
(B) geographic distance; and
(C) eligibility criteria.
(b) Veteran Family Defined.--In this section, the term ``veteran
family'' has the meaning given such term in section 2044 of title 38,
United States Code.
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