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HR 3179 98th Congress House

Child and Family Development Act

Official title: A bill to strengthen the development of children and the functioning of families by establishing a comprehensive Federal child care program designed to improve… Show full official titleShow less

Official title: A bill to strengthen the development of children and the functioning of families by establishing a comprehensive Federal child care program designed to improve the quality and availability of child care services while protecting parental rights, and for other purposes.

Introduced: June 1, 1983 See on congress.gov
Social Welfare Child developmentChild healthChildren and youthDay care
More subjectsShow fewer subjects
Domestic Relations and FamiliesEducationFamiliesFamily policyFederal aid to child welfareFederal-state relationsFood and Food IndustryHealthNutritionNutrition policyParent and childPreschool educationSchool-age child careStates
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This bill died when the 98th Congress ended
It never became law before the 98th Congress (1983–1984) 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 3 steps
Introduced
In committee
Reported out
Passed House
Passed Senate
To President
Became law
Jun 17, 1983
Referred to Subcommittee on Human Resources.
Jun 1, 1983
Referred to House Committee on Education and Labor.
Jun 1, 1983
Introduced in House
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 Latest action June 17, 1983

Referred to Subcommittee on Human Resources.

 Plain-English summary Congressional Research Service

Child and Family Development Act - Declares that the Congress affirms the right and responsibility of parents to participate in programs involving their children and that nothing in this Act shall be construed to authorize any public agency or private organization or its representative to intervene in any child-rearing decision of the parents.

Directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to carry out a complete study and assessment of child care needs in the United States. Directs the Secretary to take specified factors into consideration and to complete such study and assessment, and transmit the results to the Congress, within 90 days after the date of enactment of this Act.

Directs the Secretary to prepare and promulgate a comprehensive plan and program to provide services to meet the Nation's child care needs (including day care, education, health, and nutrition). Sets forth required provisions for the plan and program. Directs the Secretary to promptly transmit the plan and program, with recommendations, to the Congress. Requires that a specified minimum period of time after transmittal to the Congress pass before the plan or program or later modifications by the Secretary become effective.

Sets forth priorities in the distribution of child care funds by the plan and program. Prohibits the plan and program from affecting levels or sources of funding for the Head Start program and specified programs under the Social Security Act and the Elementary and Secondary Education Act. Requires that such plan and program provide for strengthened developmental programming for children and parent education and required certification of teachers under such Acts.

Requires that the plan and program include: (1) provision of additional Federal funds to improve child care programs; and (2) incentives for development of improved child care facilities.

Sets forth administrative provisions and requirements for State plans for the administration of child care programs.

Directs the Secretary to submit an annual report, with recommendations, to the Congress on the administration and operation of this Act and of the plan and program.

Authorizes appropriations.

 Committees of jurisdiction 2
 Cosponsors 1
All 1 Democratic 1
D
Markey, Edward J.
Massachusetts · Jun 1, 1983
Cite this page click to expand
APA
U.S. Congress. (2026). H.R. 3179: Child and Family Development Act. 98th Congress. Open America. https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3179/
MLA
"H.R. 3179: Child and Family Development Act." 98th Congress, 2026, Open America, https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3179/.
Bluebook (legal)
H.R. 3179, 98th Cong. (2026), https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3179/.
Markdown link
[H.R. 3179: Child and Family Development Act](https://openamerica.io/bill/98-HR-3179/)
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