Senate bill funds child care for police working nights and weekends

What does this do?

S 2337 establishes a pilot grant program under the Department of Health and Human Services to help police departments create or expand child care options that match non-traditional officer schedules, including overnight shifts, weekends, and holidays. State-level child care agencies would receive and distribute the funds. Money can cover startup costs, staff training, direct child care subsidies, and facility construction or renovation.

Who does it affect?

The bill primarily affects law enforcement officers with children who work non-traditional hours. It also targets police departments, especially smaller ones with fewer than 200 officers, which may struggle to recruit and retain officers partly due to child care challenges.

Why does it matter?

The program runs from 2026 through 2030 and includes a study on whether similar gaps exist for other first responders such as firefighters and emergency medical workers. Departments must contribute a rising share of their own funding, starting at 10 percent in year one and reaching roughly 33 percent by year three.

What does it cost, and who pays?

• Up to $24M available per year
• No single award over $3M
• 20% reserved for small depts