South OC Times

This week, Congressman Darrell Issa, representing California's 48th District, reintroduced the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act alongside House colleagues Rep. Scott Peters (CA-50), Rep. David Valadao (CA-22), and Rep. Josh Harder (CA-09). The bipartisan bill seeks to address police staffing shortages across the nation by easing childcare challenges faced by law enforcement officers who often work nights, weekends, and holidays.

Rep. Issa stated, "We have a responsibility to provide our police officers with the tools, training, and equipment they need to safeguard our streets and protect our communities." He emphasized that the bill is an innovative approach to support law enforcement officers in balancing their professional duties with parenting responsibilities.

The legislation proposes establishing a pilot program to supply grants to law enforcement agencies for childcare benefits. It authorizes funding for five fiscal years which can be used by agencies to construct or operate new centers exclusively for police departments, offer scholarships to subsidize childcare costs, or assist in care for children with disabilities. Additionally, it allows law enforcement agencies, local governments, and childcare providers to determine their respective responsibilities while requiring local entities to contribute a scaled matching requirement over a three-year grant period. Notably, 20% of the total grant funding will be set aside for police departments employing fewer than 200 officers.

In recent developments related to this initiative, San Diego opened the nation's first childcare center specifically for local police in 2023. Boone County in Missouri began constructing a public safety childcare center in April 2025.

Supporting organizations include the 30x30 Initiative, International Union of Police Associations (IUPA), National Association of Police Organizations, Fraternal Order of Police, and Peace Officers Research Association of California (PORAC).

For more information on the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act's full text is available online.

Darrell Issa represents California’s 48th Congressional District covering central and eastern parts of San Diego County and portions of Riverside County including Fallbrook, Valley Center, Ramona among other areas. Previously he served as Chairman of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform from 2011-2015.