U.S. Senators Maggie Hassan (D-NH), a member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, and Todd Young (R-IN) introduced bipartisan legislation S. 976 to improve access to affordable childcare for families with parents working nontraditional hours. Representative Ashley Hinson (R-IA) also introduced the bill H.R. 3639 in the House and has received support from numerous bipartisan co-sponsors. The After Hours Child Care Act would improve childcare, so parents can remain in the workforce and provide for their families while working outside traditional work hours. 

“Effectively addressing the nation’s childcare crisis is critical to maintaining a stable workforce. Unfortunately, the needs of working families are not uniform and require innovative and flexible solutions,” said Director of the Bipartisan Policy Center’s Early Childhood Initiative Linda Smith. “The need has never been greater than it is for hard-working families whose shifts require them to be on-site during non-traditional hours, especially for our first responders, hospital workers, manufacturers, and those in the service industry. Senators Young and Hassan’s bill is a critical step in the right direction in supporting state and industry efforts to secure safe, quality childcare for their employees.” 

“As everyone with a young child knows, parenting is a 24-hour job. Our bipartisan bill would help ensure that parents who are working to provide for their family outside regular business hours can still access necessary childcare,” Senator Hassan said. “I will continue working with Senator Young to build support for this important legislation, which will help bring peace of mind to parents across New Hampshire, provide children with the support that they need to thrive, and ensure that parents can go to work and participate in the economy.” 

“Hoosier parents rely on affordable childcare in order to remain attached to the workforce, advance their careers, and feed their families,” said Senator Young. “Currently, childcare options are extremely limited for families, especially in rural Indiana communities.” 

The After Hours Child Care Act would expand capacity for an existing childcare program, support efforts to establish an on-site childcare program at a workplace, ensure that federal funds supplement existing efforts by requiring a 25% match, and require a report every two years on the bill’s effectiveness in order to sustainably improve childcare availability. The access to childcare services would go beyond the traditional work times and enable families to grow and thrive. 

Please use our pre-drafted letters to urge your senators to co-sponsor and support the After Hours Child Care Act. If they have already sponsored or co-sponsored the bill, you can send a message of thanks.