H.R. 9958

Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026

Sponsor: Jahana Hayes

22 cosponsors
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Official summary

Written by the Congressional Research Service.

Head Start Expansion and Improvement Act of 2026

This bill reauthorizes through FY2032 and otherwise revises Head Start programs.

Specifically, the bill expands eligibility for Head Start programs to include families with incomes below 138% of the federal poverty level. The bill also adds a definition for public assistance under the Head Start Act to include Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF); Supplemental Security Income (SSI); the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP); the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC); or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).

The bill directs the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to establish a program to make grants to Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies) to construct or improve facilities. HHS must also establish and carry out a program to make grants to Head Start agencies for increasing the compensation paid to employees.

The bill also provides student loan forgiveness for certain Head Start and Early Head Start child care workers. In particular, the Department of Education must cancel the outstanding balance of principal, interest, and fees due on Federal Direct Loans for a borrower who (1) has been employed full-time by a Head Start or Early Head Start program for three years, and (2) has provided care or instruction to children enrolled in such a program.

Text of the bill

Expand all
Sec. 5. Grants for Head Start infrastructure

The Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following:

Text this section adds to the law

657C. Grants for Head Start infrastructure

(a) Establishment of grant program. The Secretary shall establish a program to make grants to Head Start agencies (including Early Head Start agencies to construct or improve facilities to provide Head Start services (including Early Head Start services)).

(b) Eligibility for grants. To be eligible to receive a grant under subsection (a), a Head Start agency shall submit to the Secretary an application in such form, and containing such information as the Secretary may require.

(c) Priority. The Secretary shall give priority for grants requested by eligible applicants respect to facilities that—

(1) were built before 1970;

(2) have not had a major renovation since its construction;

(3) have received 1 or more findings in the safe and clean environments key performance area (KPA);

(4) have hazardous conditions, materials, or equipment that may cause harm to children, families, or staff;

(5) have an environment that is not free of air pollutants, including mold, smoke, lead, pesticides, and herbicides, as well as soil and water pollutants; and

(6) lack preparedness for fire and other emergencies.

(d) Use of funds. Eligible use of grant funds to improve and update Head Start infrastructure include—

(1) updates, renovations, and repairs to address structural issues;

(2) building or acquiring additional classroom space, common areas, play areas;

(3) updating heating, cooling, and ventilation systems;

(4) building and expanding playgrounds and outdoor spaces;

(5) removing, renovating, and acquiring furnishings;

(6) installing and updating bathroom facilities, including the installation of child-size sinks and toilets;

(7) reducing or removing toxic industrial compounds;

(8) updates to safety and emergency preparedness, such as upgrading sprinkler systems and installing emergency lighting;

(9) weatherization;

(10) improvements to water, sewer, and plumbing systems; and

(11) establishing, expanding, or improving technology to support children’s academic and socio-emotional learning.

(e) Authorization of appropriations. There is authorized to be appropriated to carry out this section $1,000,000,000 for each of the fiscal years 2027 through 2030.