Costa Backs Bipartisan Bill to Expand Child Care for Police Officers

WASHINGTON – Congressman Jim Costa (CA-21) joined the Problem Solvers Caucus in backing the bipartisan Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act, which seeks to combat the recent rise in law enforcement resignations and retirements by addressing the need for reliable child care. Costa is a cosponsor of this legislation.

“Access to affordable, quality child care is essential to recruiting and maintaining a strong police workforce in our communities,” said Costa. “I’m proud to champion this legislation to make childcare more affordable and remove barriers for working parents who serve on the frontlines.”

Law enforcement officers often work nontraditional hours, and accessible child care is a critical need for officers and their families. The proposed grant pilot program outlined in the legislation would operate under the Child Care Development Block Grant Program to fund the establishment of local law enforcement childcare facilities throughout the country. Expanded childcare options will aid the recruitment and retention of exceptional officer candidates at a time when law enforcement agencies have fewer employees than they did five years ago.

The bipartisan legislation was introduced by Congressman Scott Peters (CA-50) and has 18 cosponsors, equally Republican and Democratic, thirteen of whom are Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus.

The bill is supported by the National Fraternal Order of Police (FOP) and the National Association of Police Organizations (NAPO).

The full text of the bill can be found HERE.