H.R. 7677

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 7677 Reported in House (RH)]

<DOC>

Union Calendar No. 513
119th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 7677

[Report No. 119-593]

To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a 
study regarding fraud prevention measures in certain Federal early 
childhood education, child care, and child nutrition programs, and for 
other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

February 25, 2026

Mr. Owens introduced the following bill; which was referred to the 
Committee on Education and Workforce

April 6, 2026

Additional sponsor: Ms. Letlow

April 6, 2026

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed
[Strike out all after the enacting clause and insert the part printed 
in italic]
[For text of introduced bill, see copy of bill as introduced on 
February 25, 2026]

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a 
study regarding fraud prevention measures in certain Federal early 
childhood education, child care, and child nutrition programs, and for 
other purposes.

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the 
United States of America in Congress assembled,

SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.

This Act may be cited as the ``Closing the Provider Fraud Gap Act 
of 2026''.

SEC. 2. GAO STUDY AND REPORT ON PROVIDER-RELATED FRAUD.

(a) Study.--The Comptroller General of the United States shall 
conduct a study regarding fraud prevention measures in Federal early 
childhood education, child care, and child nutrition programs that 
shall include an analysis of--
(1) the effectiveness of procedures and measures to prevent 
fraud carried out by providers of services under such programs;
(2) whether the data the Federal Government receives in 
connection with such programs (including through audits and 
reporting requirements) is--
(A) sufficient to successfully identify fraud 
carried out under such programs; and
(B) used effectively by the Federal Government to 
identify potential fraud carried out under such 
programs; and
(3) with respect to the Child Care and Development Block 
Grant program established under the Child Care and Development 
Block Grant Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.)--
(A) the program integrity results for States that 
have delegated responsibilities related to program 
management and administration to counties, local 
municipalities, or other entities; and
(B) whether any corrective action plans have been 
implemented by States to improve program integrity 
results, including any measurable outcomes from 
implementing such a corrective action plan.
(b) Report.--Not later than 2 years after the date of enactment of 
this section, the Comptroller General of the United States shall submit 
to the Committee on Education and Workforce of the House of 
Representatives and the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and 
Pensions of the Senate a report containing--
(1) the results of the study conducted under subsection 
(a); and
(2) any regulatory or legislative recommendations to 
improve fraud prevention measures in Federal early childhood 
education, child care, and child nutrition programs.
(c) Federal Early Childhood Education, Child Care, and Child 
Nutrition Programs Defined.--For the purposes of this section, the term 
``Federal early childhood education, child care, and child nutrition 
programs'' includes--
(1) Head Start programs (including Early Head Start 
programs) carried out under the Head Start Act (42 U.S.C. 9831 
et seq.);
(2) the Child and Adult Care Food Program under section 17 
of the Richard B. Russell National School Lunch Act (42 U.S.C. 
1766); and
(3) the Child Care and Development Block Grant program 
established under the Child Care and Development Block Grant 
Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. 9857 et seq.).
Union Calendar No. 513

119th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 7677

[Report No. 119-593]

_______________________________________________________________________

A BILL

To require the Comptroller General of the United States to conduct a 
study regarding fraud prevention measures in certain Federal early 
childhood education, child care, and child nutrition programs, and for 
other purposes.

_______________________________________________________________________

April 6, 2026

Reported with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole 
House on the State of the Union, and ordered to be printed