42 USC 9858j - Reports, hotline, and Web site

U.S Code last checked for updates: Aug 16, 2025

§ 9858j.

Reports, hotline, and Web site

(a)

Report by Secretary

(b)

National toll-free hotline and Web site

(1)

In general

The Secretary shall operate, directly or through the use of grants or contracts, a national toll-free hotline and Web site, to—

(A)

develop and disseminate publicly available child care consumer education information for parents and help parents access safe and quality child care services in their community, with a range of price options, that best suits 1

 So in original. Probably should be “suit”.

their family’s needs; and

(B)

to allow persons to report (anonymously if desired) suspected child abuse or neglect, or violations of health and safety requirements, by an eligible child care provider that receives assistance under this subchapter or a member of the provider’s staff.

(2)

Requirements

The Secretary shall ensure that the hotline and Web site meet the following requirements:

(A)

Referral to local child care providers

(B)

Information

The Web site shall provide to consumers, directly or through linkages to State databases, at a minimum—

(i)

a localized list of all eligible child care providers, differentiating between licensed and license-exempt providers;

(ii)

any provider-specific information from a Quality Rating and Improvement System or information about other quality indicators, to the extent the information is publicly available and to the extent practicable;

(iii)

any other provider-specific information about compliance with licensing, and health and safety requirements to the extent the information is publicly available and to the extent practicable;

(iv)

referrals to local resource and referral organizations from which consumers can find more information about child care providers; and

(v)

State information about child care subsidy programs and other financial supports available to families.

(C)

Nationwide capacity

(D)

Information at all hours

(E)

Services in different languages

(F)

High-quality consumer education and referral

(3)

Prohibition

(Pub. L. 97–35, title VI, § 658L, as added Pub. L. 101–508, title V, § 5082(2), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–244; amended Pub. L. 102–401, § 3(a),

cite as: 42 USC 9858j