Bill · H.R. 2845· House(119-HR-2845)
PROSPECT Act
- Introduced
- 4/10/2025
- Last activity
- 4/10/2025 — Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
- Sponsored by
- Jahana Hayes
- Cosponsors
- - 1 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill, known as the PROSPECT Act, establishes competitive Federal grants to support community colleges and minority-serving institutions. The goal is to turn these institutions into hubs for infant and toddler child care training, talent, and access. It creates several grant types: planning, access, impact, and pipeline grants. These funds aim to expand on-campus child care for student parents and strengthen the professional workforce. Additionally, the bill updates the Child Care and Development Block Grant and increases Federal matching payments. It also includes provisions for outreach regarding dependent care allowances for Federal student aid.
Yes· 3 of 15
Does this make child care cost less?+9
The bill provides massive funding and grants to provide free or highly subsidized infant and toddler childcare.
Would children be better off under this?+8
The bill aims to improve the quality and access of care for infants and toddlers.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+8
The bill targets low-income student parents and communities of color for childcare support.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Access to Free Child Care for Students: Access grants will provide free high-quality infant and toddler child care for up to 500,000 children of student parents (Section 111(a)(1); Section 121). This helps reduce barriers to graduation and reduces postgraduation debt (Section 111(a)(1); Section 121).
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Support for High-Quality Workforce: Impact grants provide training, mentorship, and technical support to expand the supply and quality of child care in communities (Section 111(a)(3); Section 121).
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Workforce Development: Pipeline grants fund the expansion of early childhood educator preparation programs and strategic partnerships to strengthen the workforce (Section 111(a)(4); Section 121).
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Living Wages for Caregivers: The bill requires that on-campus child care staff be paid a wage that is comparable to elementary educators and provides at least a living wage (Section 112(a)(2)(F); Section 123(b)(8)).
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Increased Financial Assistance: The bill increases Federal matching payments for state expenditures on child care assistance (Section 203).
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Better Financial Aid Information: The bill updates how information regarding the dependent care allowance is shared with students, explaining how they may include it in the cost of attendance and how to apply (Section s 301).
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Requirement for Planning Before Implementation: An eligible entity must successfully complete a planning grant before it can receive access, impact, or pipeline grants (Section 112(c)).
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For Children+8Good For Low Income Households+8Good For Students+8Good For African Americans+7Good For Hispanic Americans+7Good For Women+6Good For People With Disabilities+5
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Childcare Affordability+9Improves Racial Equity+7Improves Gender Equality+6Improves Disability Rights+5Improves Poverty Reduction+5
- Economy And Finance
- Increases Job Creation+5Improves Small Business Support+3
- Education And Technology
- Improves College Affordability+7
- 4/10/2025
- Referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce, and in addition to the Committee on Ways and Means, 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.
- 1 Cosponsor added.
- Introduced in House
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Donald NorcrossDemocrat · New Jersey