August 27, 2026
Ms. Williams of Georgia (for herself, Ms. Norton, Mr. Jackson of Illinois, Mrs. Beatty, and Ms. Tlaib) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and in addition to the Committee on Financial Services, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned
To amend the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 to require eligible recipients of certain grants to develop a comprehensive economic development strategy that directly or indirectly increases the accessibility of affordable, quality care-based services, and for other purposes.
Section 1. Short title
This Act may be cited as the Care is an Economic Development Strategy Act
or the CEDS Act
.
Sec. 2. Comprehensive economic development strategies
(a) In general
Section 302(a)(3)(A) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3162(a)(3)(A)) is amended—
(1)
by striking and
before balances resources
; and
(2)
by inserting , and directly or indirectly increases the accessibility of affordable, quality care-based services, including child care, early childhood education, disability and long-term care, and elder care
after sound management of development
.
(b) Guidance
(1) In general
Not later than 1 year after the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary of Commerce shall issue guidance on implementing the amendments made by subsection (a), to include how to increase access to the affordable, quality care-based services described in section 302(a)(3)(A) of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3162(a)(3)(A)) in a comprehensive economic development strategy developed under section 302 of such Act.
(2) Existing comprehensive economic development strategies
In issuing the guidance under paragraph (1), with respect to a grant recipient whose comprehensive economic development strategy has been approved under section 302 of the Public Works and Economic Development Act of 1965 (42 U.S.C. 3162) before the date of enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall ensure that such grant recipient is only required to update such comprehensive economic development strategy to comply with the amendments made by this Act when a regularly scheduled update to such comprehensive economic development strategy is required.