Sec. 401. Coast Guard child care improvements
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Section 2922(b)(2) of title 14, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following: In the case of an active duty member with two or more children attending a Coast Guard child development center, the Commandant may modify the fees to be charged for attendance for the second and any subsequent child of such member by an amount that is 15 percent less than the amount of the fee otherwise chargeable for the attendance of the first such child enrolled at the center, or another fee as the Commandant determines appropriate, consistent with multiple children. .
Section 2923(a) of title 14, United States Code, is amended to read as follows: The Commandant shall require each Coast Guard child development center to meet standards of operation— that the Commandant considers appropriate to ensure the health, safety, and welfare of the children and employees at the center; and necessary for accreditation by an appropriate national early childhood programs accrediting entity. . Subchapter II of chapter 29 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting at the end the following:
The Commandant may operate a child care subsidy program to provide financial assistance to eligible providers that provide child care services or youth program services to members of the Coast Guard and any other individual the Commandant considers appropriate, if— providing such financial assistance— is in the best interests of the Coast Guard; and enables supplementation or expansion of the provision of Coast Guard child care services, while not supplanting or replacing Coast Guard child care services; and the Commandant ensures, to the extent practicable, that the eligible provider is able to comply, and does comply, with the regulations, policies, and standards applicable to Coast Guard child care services.
A provider of child care services or youth program services is eligible for financial assistance under this section if the provider— is licensed to provide such services under applicable State and local law; is registered in an au pair program of the Department of State; is a family home daycare; or is a provider of family child care services that— otherwise provides federally funded or federally sponsored child development services; provides such services in a child development center owned and operated by a private, not-for-profit organization; provides a before-school or after-school child care program in a public school facility; conducts an otherwise federally funded or federally sponsored school-age child care or youth services program; conducts a school-age child care or youth services program operated by a not-for-profit organization; provides in-home child care, such as a nanny or an au pair; or is a provider of another category of child care services or youth program services the Commandant considers appropriate for meeting the needs of members or civilian employees of the Coast Guard.
To provide financial assistance under this subsection, the Commandant may use any funds appropriated for the Coast Guard for operation and maintenance. . The analysis for chapter 29 of title 14, United States Code, is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 2926 the following: 2927. Child care subsidy program. . The Commandant shall— evaluate potential eligible uses for the child care subsidy program established under section 2927 of title 14, United States Code (referred to in this paragraph as the program ); and expand the eligible uses of funds for the program to accommodate the child care needs of members of the Coast Guard (including such members with nonstandard work hours and surge or other deployment cycles), including by providing funds directly to such members instead of care providers.
In evaluating potential eligible uses under subparagraph (A), the Commandant shall consider au pairs, nanny services, nanny shares, in-home child care services, care services such as supplemental care for children with disabilities, and any other child care delivery method the Commandant considers appropriate. In establishing expanded eligible uses of funds for the program, the Commandant shall ensure that such uses— are in the best interests of the Coast Guard; provide flexibility for members of the Coast Guard, including such members and employees with nonstandard work hours; and ensure a safe environment for dependents of such members and employees.
Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall publish an updated Commandant Instruction Manual (referred to in this paragraph as the manual ) that describes the expanded eligible uses of the program. Not later than 18 months after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Commandant shall submit to the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation of the Senate and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure of the House of Representatives a report outlining the expansion of the program.
The report required by clause
(i)shall include the following: An analysis of the considerations described in subparagraph (B). A description of the analysis used to identify eligible uses that were evaluated and incorporated into the manual under subparagraph (D). A full analysis and justification with respect to the forms of care that were ultimately not included in the manual. Any recommendation with respect to funding or additional authorities necessary, including proposals for legislative change, to meet the current and anticipated future child care subsidy demands of the Coast Guard.