Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025
The source supplies the latest action, but no lifecycle stage.
Latest action (24 Jan 2025): Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
What this bill does
H.R. 728, the Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025, would change which families qualify for Head Start programs. It would specifically include children from families receiving assistance through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and federal housing assistance, commonly known as Section 8. The bill also clarifies and codifies eligibility for families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Additionally, families participating in state-funded food assistance programs with eligibility rules similar to SNAP would also qualify.
This legislation affects families with young children who are currently eligible for or could become eligible for the mentioned public assistance programs. By expanding the definition of "public assistance" within the Head Start Act, the bill aims to make Head Start services accessible to a broader group of low-income families. Head Start provides educational and developmental services to eligible preschool-aged children.
The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 24, 2025, and was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce. It has not yet advanced beyond its initial introduction stage. If passed by the House, it would then move to the Senate for consideration.
Plain-English summary generated by Bill100 AI from the official record. Always verify against the source below.
Official summary
Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025
This bill expands eligibility for Head Start programs to include the children of families eligible for specified public assistance programs.
Specifically, the bill expands Head Start eligibility to include the children of families that qualify for the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and federal housing assistance (commonly known as Section 8). The bill also provides statutory authority for the eligibility of families that qualify for Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Families that qualify for state-funded food assistance programs with eligibility standards identical or substantially similar to the standards for SNAP must also be eligible for Head Start.
Timeline
24 Jan 2025
Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce.
Common questions
- What does H.R. 728 do?
- H.R. 728, the Expanding Head Start Eligibility Act of 2025, would change which families qualify for Head Start programs. It would specifically include children from families receiving assistance through the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), the Food Distribution Program on Indian Reservations (FDPIR), and federal housing assistance, commonly known as Section 8. The bill also clarifies and codifies eligibility for families receiving Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Supplemental Security Income (SSI), and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). Additionally, families participating in state-funded food assistance programs with eligibility rules similar to SNAP would also qualify. This legislation affects families with young children who are currently eligible for or could become eligible for the mentioned public assistance programs. By expanding the definition of "public assistance" within the Head Start Act, the bill aims to make Head Start services accessible to a broader group of low-income families. Head Start provides educational and developmental services to eligible preschool-aged children. The bill was introduced in the House of Representatives on January 24, 2025, and was referred to the Committee on Education and Workforce. It has not yet advanced beyond its initial introduction stage. If passed by the House, it would then move to the Senate for consideration.
- Has H.R. 728 become law?
- The source does not supply a confirmed lifecycle stage for H.R. 728. Check the latest action and official source below.
- Who sponsored H.R. 728?
- H.R. 728 was sponsored by Rep. Garamendi, John [D-CA-8] (D-CA), with 28 cosponsors.
- What's the latest action on H.R. 728?
- Referred to the House Committee on Education and Workforce. (24 Jan 2025).
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