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S. 1878 116th Congress Senate

Universal Child Care and Early Learning Act

Official title: A bill to establish universal child care and early learning programs.

Introduced: June 18, 2019 Introduced by: Elizabeth Warren Democratic · Massachusetts See on congress.gov
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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 2 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 18, 2019
Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
Jun 18, 2019
Introduced in Senate
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 Latest action June 18, 2019

Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Universal Child Care and Early Learning Act

This bill provides funds to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for an affordable child care and early learning program. Children who are at least six weeks of age but not yet required to attend school may participate in the program regardless of family income, disability status, citizenship status, or employment of a family member.

Under the program, HHS must support sponsors (e.g., states, local governments, tribal organizations, and nonprofit community organizations) that provide child care and early learning services for families.

Families must pay a subsidized fee, based on their income, for the services. The fees are waived for children from families with incomes below 200% of the poverty line. The fees are capped at 7% of a family's income regardless of the family's income level.

 Related & companion bills 1
 Bill text 1 version

Source documents hosted by congress.gov.

 Committees of jurisdiction 1
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APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). S. 1878: Universal Child Care and Early Learning Act. 116th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-1878/
MLA
"S. 1878: Universal Child Care and Early Learning Act." 116th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-1878/.
Bluebook (legal)
S. 1878, 116th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-1878/.
Markdown link
[S. 1878: Universal Child Care and Early Learning Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/116-S-1878/)
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