U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand is calling for the passage of the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act, a bipartisan bill that would deliver $24 million annually for five years to help law enforcement agencies create child care programs for their personnel.
Speaking during a virtual press conference, Gillibrand emphasized that law enforcement officers shouldn’t have to choose between serving their communities and caring for their children.
“Police officers play a vital role in keeping communities safe, and officers should not have to choose between taking care of their children and staying in the police force,” Gillibrand said. “This bill would help give aspiring police officers safe, viable child care options while also providing stability to current officers struggling to find care that works with their nontraditional work schedules.”
The legislation, cosponsored by Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and led in the House by Representative Scott Peters (D-CA), would fund a national pilot program providing grants of up to $3 million to law enforcement agencies. At least 20% of the grant funds would be reserved for departments with fewer than 200 officers to ensure small and rural departments are supported.
The proposal aims to improve police recruitment and retention. Recent data shows that more than 70% of law enforcement agencies are struggling to attract new officers, with child care challenges often cited as a factor—particularly among women, who remain underrepresented in police leadership roles.
The bill has broad support from organizations including the Fraternal Order of Police, International Association of Chiefs of Police, National Association of Police Organizations, and AFSCME, among others.
Gillibrand said she is committed to working across the aisle to pass the measure, which she called “a win-win for officers and communities.”
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