Update on Our Priorities

As of July 16, 2025

AFSCME supports the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act

AFSCME is proud to support the bipartisan Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act (H.R. 2722), which will help more law enforcement and corrections officers get access to child care. Many AFSCME members in law enforcement and corrections work long and irregular hours, making it even harder to get regular child care services. This legislation will help with recruitment and retention because it will provide more than $100 million over the next five years to create child care programs that support law enforcement and corrections officers. It will also help advance the number of women taking on these essential roles in public safety.

One important part of this bill is that it now includes corrections officers in the definition of law enforcement. AFSCME was instrumental in winning this expansion to the legislation so that members in corrections will have access to these resources if the legislation becomes law. Our union worked hard to make this change, and we are proud to have helped get it done.

This bill will create a pilot program run by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. States can apply for grants and partner with local law enforcement, child care centers and community groups. The money can be used to support law enforcement officers with child care costs, train child care workers, help with start-up costs, care for sick or disabled children, and more. Smaller agencies will get special attention, with 20% of the funds set aside for those Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs) with fewer than 200 officers.

To make sure the program works for families in law enforcement, there will be two studies. A four-year study will investigate which other first responders have unmet child care needs. The two-year study will determine who is using the programs, how child care providers are meeting the needs of the communities, and what types of partnerships are being created to apply for these funds.

This bill is based on an existing program created to support officers of the San Diego Police Department and has support from both Democrats and Republicans. Although we know many workers need child care, this legislation will be a step forward for AFSCME members in law enforcement and corrections. Our union supports child care services for all workers with expanded hours. If this pilot program is successful, it could be expanded across the country, including in areas where dedicated child care providers are AFSCME members.