Skip to main content
HR 840 116th Congress House Armed Forces and National Security Child care and development Mental health Veterans' medical care

Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act

Introduced: January 29, 2019 Introduced by: Brownley, Julia Democratic · California See on congress.gov
Sign in to write a letter Sign in to watch
This bill died when the 116th Congress ended
It never became law before the 116th Congress (2019–2020) adjourned, and bills don't carry over to the next Congress. It would have to be reintroduced. You can still save it for reference, but it won't receive updates.
 Everywhere this bill has been 49 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Feb 11, 2019
Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Feb 8, 2019
The Clerk was authorized to correct section numbers, punctuation, and cross references, and to make other necessary technical and conforming corrections in the engrossment of H.R. 840.
Feb 8, 2019
Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Feb 8, 2019
On passage Passed by recorded vote: 400 - 9 (Roll no. 75).
Feb 8, 2019
On motion to recommit with instructions Failed by recorded vote: 200 - 214 (Roll no. 74).
Feb 8, 2019
The previous question on the motion to recommit with instructions was ordered without objection.
Feb 8, 2019
DEBATE - The House proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Barr motion to recommit with instructions. The instructions contained in the motion seek to require the bill to be reported back to the House with an amendment to add a subsection to section 2 pertaining to additional requirements for child care providers.
Feb 8, 2019
Mr. Barr moved to recommit with instructions to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs. (text: CR H1479)
Feb 8, 2019
The House adopted the amendment in the nature of a substitute as agreed to by the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union.
Feb 8, 2019
The previous question was ordered pursuant to the rule.
Feb 8, 2019
The House rose from the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union to report H.R. 840.
Feb 8, 2019
MOMENT OF SILENCE - Mr. Hoyer addressed the Committee and led a moment of silence in memory of the life and legacy of the Honorable John Dingell.
Feb 8, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Slotkin amendment No. 21.
Feb 8, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sherrill amendment No. 20.
Feb 8, 2019
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Sherrill amendment, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Ms. Sherrill demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on agreeing to the amendment until a time to be announced.
Feb 8, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sherrill amendment No. 19.
Feb 8, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Golden amendment No. 18.
Feb 8, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Golden amendment No. 17.
Feb 8, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Delgado amendment No. 16.
Feb 8, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Delgado amendment No. 15.
Feb 8, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Kuster amendment No. 14.
Feb 8, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Moore amendment No. 13.
Feb 8, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sherrill amendment No. 12.
Feb 8, 2019
The House resolved into Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union for further consideration.
Feb 8, 2019
Considered as unfinished business. (consideration: CR H1469-1482)
Feb 7, 2019
Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union rises leaving H.R. 840 as unfinished business.
Feb 7, 2019
On motion that the committee rise Agreed to by voice vote.
Feb 7, 2019
Mr. Takano moved that the committee rise.
Feb 7, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cloud amendment No. 11.
Feb 7, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Sablan amendment No. 10.
Feb 7, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rodney Davis amendment No. 9.
Feb 7, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cisneros amendment No. 8.
Feb 7, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Cisneros amendment No. 7.
Feb 7, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Barr amendment No. 6.
Feb 7, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Lee (NV) amendment No. 5.
Feb 7, 2019
POSTPONED PROCEEDINGS - At the conclusion of debate on the Bergman amendment, the Chair put the question on agreeing to the amendment and by voice vote, announced that the ayes had prevailed. Mr. Bergman demanded a recorded vote and the Chair postponed further proceedings on agreeing to the amendment until a time to be announced.
Feb 7, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Bergman amendment No. 4.
Feb 7, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Rose of NY amendment No. 3.
Feb 7, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Radewagen amendment No. 2.
Feb 7, 2019
DEBATE - Pursuant to the provisions of H. Res. 105, the Committee of the Whole proceeded with 10 minutes of debate on the Brindisi amendment No. 1.
Feb 7, 2019
GENERAL DEBATE - The Committee of the Whole proceeded with one hour of general debate on H.R. 840.
Feb 7, 2019
The Speaker designated the Honorable Stacey E. Plaskett to act as Chairwoman of the Committee.
Feb 7, 2019
House resolved itself into the Committee of the Whole House on the state of the Union pursuant to H. Res. 105 and Rule XVIII.
Feb 7, 2019
Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 840 and H. Res. 86. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 840 under a structured rule. Rule provides that H. Res. 86 is adopted. Rule also provides for consideration of motions to suspend the rules through the legislative day of February 15, 2019.
Feb 7, 2019
Considered under the provisions of rule H. Res. 105. (consideration: CR H1418-1431; text of amendment in the nature of a substitute: CR H1422)
Feb 6, 2019
Rules Committee Resolution H. Res. 105 Reported to House. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 840. Rule provides for consideration of H.R. 840 under a structured rule. Rule provides that H. Res. 86 is adopted. Rule also provides for consideration of motions to suspend the rules through the legislative day of February 15, 2019.
Feb 1, 2019
Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
Jan 29, 2019
Referred to the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs.
Jan 29, 2019
Introduced in House
 Votes taken on this bill 2
DateChamberWhat was voted onResultYes–No
Feb 8, 2019 House · vote #75 On Passage Passed 400–9 See who voted →
Feb 8, 2019 House · vote #74 On Motion to Recommit with Instructions Failed 200–214 See who voted →
 Amendments to this bill 21

Amendments propose changes to this bill. Members vote on amendments separately before the final bill vote. An agreed amendment becomes part of the bill; a failed amendment does not.

20 agreed to 1 failed

AmendmentSponsorPurposeStatusLatest action
HAMDT 40 Slotkin, Elissa An amendment numbered 21 printed in House Report 116-6 to provide authority for the Secretary of Veterans Aff… Agreed to Feb 8, 2019
HAMDT 39 — An amendment numbered 20 printed in House Report 116-6 to amend the bill to specifically include Military Sex… Agreed to Feb 8, 2019
HAMDT 38 — Amendment states that child care providers may not provide child care if they employ an individual who has be… Agreed to Feb 8, 2019
HAMDT 37 Golden, Jared F. An amendment numbered 18 printed in House Report 116-6 to direct the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to submit … Agreed to Feb 8, 2019
HAMDT 36 Golden, Jared F. An amendment numbered 17 printed in House Report 116-6 to expand the scope of services under which a veteran … Agreed to Feb 8, 2019
HAMDT 35 — An amendment numbered 16 printed in House Report 116-6 to include under definitions in the Health Care Servic… Agreed to Feb 8, 2019
HAMDT 34 — An amendment numbered 15 printed in House Report 116-6 to add extended day programs to the child care service… Agreed to Feb 8, 2019
HAMDT 33 — An amendment numbered 14 printed in House Report 116-6 to require the Secretary to establish criteria for fur… Agreed to Feb 8, 2019
HAMDT 32 Moore, Gwen An amendment numbered 13 printed in House Report 116-6 to require annual reports on participation in this pro… Agreed to Feb 8, 2019
HAMDT 31 — An amendment numbered 12 printed in House Report 116-6 to require the Secretary to provide public notificatio… Agreed to Feb 8, 2019
HAMDT 23 Bergman, Jack Amendment sought to prohibit the VA from constructing new structures to be used as childcare centers. Failed Feb 8, 2019
HAMDT 30 Cloud, Michael An amendment numbered 11 printed in House Report 116-6 to direct the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to c… Agreed to Feb 7, 2019
HAMDT 29 — An amendment numbered 10 printed in House Report 116-6 to clarify that veterans who receive telemental health… Agreed to Feb 7, 2019
HAMDT 28 — An amendment numbered 9 printed in House Report 116-6 to prevent interpretation by the VA that only one of th… Agreed to Feb 7, 2019
HAMDT 27 Cisneros, Gilbert Ray An amendment numbered 8 printed in House Report 116-6 to include intensive health care services related to ph… Agreed to Feb 7, 2019
HAMDT 26 Cisneros, Gilbert Ray An amendment numbered 7 printed in House Report 116-6 to require the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to conduct… Agreed to Feb 7, 2019
HAMDT 25 Barr, Andy An amendment numbered 6 printed in House Report 116-6 to require a study of the effects of child care assista… Agreed to Feb 7, 2019
HAMDT 24 Lee, Susie An amendment numbered 5 printed in House Report 116-6 to specify that all Vet Centers, not just Vet Centers l… Agreed to Feb 7, 2019
HAMDT 22 — An amendment numbered 3 printed in House Report 116-6 to include substance or drug abuse counseling in the de… Agreed to Feb 7, 2019
HAMDT 21 Radewagen, Aumua Amata Coleman An amendment numbered 2 printed in House Report 116-6 to clarify that the child care benefit be made availabl… Agreed to Feb 7, 2019
HAMDT 20 — An amendment numbered 1 printed in House Report 116-6 to clarify that veterans who receive covered health car… Agreed to Feb 7, 2019
 Ask about this bill AI · grounded in the bill text

Have a question about what this bill does? Ask in plain English; the answer is drawn from the bill's actual text and official record, and it'll tell you when something isn't in the text rather than guess.

AI answers can be imperfect; always confirm against the full bill text.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Veterans' Access to Child Care Act

This bill directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide child care assistance to an eligible veteran who is actively participating in treatment by attending appointments for any period that the veteran (1) receives covered health care services at a VA facility, and (2) is required to travel to and return from such facility for the receipt of such services.

The bill defines covered health care services to mean regular mental health care services, intensive mental health care services, health care services related to substance or drug abuse counseling, intensive health care services related to physical therapy for a service-connected disability, emergency mental health care services, or such other intensive health care services that the VA determines would be more accessible to veterans if child care assistance is provided.

The term eligible veteran is defined as a veteran who is the primary caretaker of a child and who is (1) receiving covered health care services from the VA, or (2) needs and would receive such services from the VA but for the lack of child care.

The bill provides for various types of child care assistance, as the VA considers appropriate. Such child care shall not be provided by any center or agency that employs a person who has been convicted of a sex crime, a crime involving a child victim, a violent crime, or a drug felony.

The bill requires the VA to inform eligible veterans of the available child care assistance.

The VA must post an easily accessible notice on a VA website describing the child care assistance benefit and eligibility requirements.

What's happening now February 11, 2019

Received in the Senate and Read twice and referred to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs.

 Related & companion bills 1
  • HRES 105 Procedurally related Providing for consideration of the bill (H.R. 840) to amend title 38, United States Code, to direct the Secretary of Ve…
 Bill text 3 versions

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 3
 Cosponsors 11
All 11 Democratic 10 Republican 1
D
Cohen, Steve
Tennessee · Feb 8, 2019
 D
Horsford, Steven
Nevada · Feb 7, 2019
 D
Carbajal, Salud O.
California · Feb 6, 2019
 D
Cisneros, Gilbert Ray
California · Feb 6, 2019
 D
Courtney, Joe
Connecticut · Feb 6, 2019
 D
Houlahan, Chrissy
Pennsylvania · Feb 6, 2019
 D
Moore, Gwen
Wisconsin · Feb 6, 2019
 D
Raskin, Jamie
Maryland · Feb 6, 2019
 R
Van Drew, Jefferson
New Jersey · Feb 6, 2019
 D
Clarke, Yvette D.
New York · Jan 30, 2019
 D
Norton, Eleanor Holmes
District of Columbia · Jan 30, 2019
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 840: Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-840/
MLA
"H.R. 840: Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-840/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 840, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-840/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 840: Veterans’ Access to Child Care Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-HR-840/)
Report a problem