(a) Department-wide family child care guide required
Not later than one year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall publish a Department-wide best practices guide for individuals seeking to establish and operate a Family Child Care home on a military installation.
(b) Consultation requirement
In developing the guide required under subsection (a), the Secretary of Defense shall consult with military departments, military installations, Family Child Care program administrators, and established Family Child Care providers operating under successful Family Child Care programs across the Department of Defense to identify and incorporate best practices, lessons learned, and approaches that have demonstrated success in expanding participation and reducing barriers to establishing and operating Family Child Care homes.
(c) Required elements
The guide required under subsection (a) shall include, at a minimum—
an overview of the process for becoming a certified Family Child Care provider;
standardized information regarding training, inspections, background checks, licensing, and certification requirements;
guidance regarding available financial assistance, startup support, subsidies, grants, and reimbursement opportunities;
information on liability coverage, safety standards, and emergency preparedness requirements;
recommendations for reducing administrative barriers to establishing Family Child Care homes; and
any additional information the Secretary determines appropriate to support prospective Family Child Care providers.
(d) Public availability
The Secretary shall make the guide required under subsection (a) publicly available on an internet website of the Department of Defense in a searchable and accessible format for military families.
(e) Service-specific appendices
(1) In general
The Secretary of Defense shall encourage the Secretaries of the military departments to publish and maintain service-specific appendices accompanying the guide required under subsection (a).
(2) Contents
A service-specific appendix under paragraph (1) may include—
service-specific policies or procedures;
installation-level best practices;
information regarding unique operational requirements or child care demands within the military department concerned;
guidance regarding military housing considerations related to Family Child Care homes; and
points of contact and resources specific to the military department concerned.
(f) Briefing
Not later than 18 months after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Defense shall provide a briefing to the congressional defense committees regarding—
actions taken to implement this section;
efforts to improve awareness of Family Child Care opportunities among military spouses and families;
barriers identified in the establishment of Family Child Care homes; and
recommendations for legislative or administrative action to improve military child care capacity.