S.Amdt. 5982

SA 5982, submitted by Ms. Rosen, aims to add a new section to bill S. 4784. This addition requires the Secretary of Defense to create and publish a Department-wide best practices guide for people who want to start and run a Family Child Care home on a military installation.

The purpose of this amendment is to help people become providers by providing clear information and reducing barriers. The guide must be publicly available on a Department of Defense website and must include:

• An overview of how to become a certified provider.
• Standardized details on licensing, certification, background checks, training, and inspections.
• Information on grants, subsidies, reimbursement, startup support, and financial assistance.
• Requirements for emergency preparedness, safety standards, and liability coverage.
• Tips for reducing administrative barriers.

The Secretary of Defense must consult with military installations, departments, program administrators, and successful providers to make the guide. The Secretary will also encourage military departments to create their own appendices with specific policies, housing considerations, and contact resources.

To hold the department accountable, the Secretary of Defense must brief congressional defense committees within 18 months of the Act's enactment. This briefing will cover the implementation of the section, efforts to increase awareness for military families, identified barriers to starting child care homes, and recommendations to improve child care capacity.