38 U.S.C. § 7809 — Child-care centers

(a)(1) The Secretary^*, through the Service, must arrange for child^*-care centers at Department^* facilities under this section. The Secretary must operate a center only to the extent the Secretary determines, based on demand, that operating it is in the Department’s best interest and is practical. The centers must be available to Department employees’ children and, if space is available, to children of other Federal Government employees and children of employees of affiliated schools and corporations created under section 7361 of this title. (2) The Service must have an official responsible for all matters involving child-care services provided under this section. (b) The Service must set reasonable charges for services at each center. The Secretary must approve the charges. For a center operated directly by the Service, the charges must cover the center’s operating expenses, including assigned personnel. For a center operated by a for-profit contractor, the charges must take into account the value of the space and services provided under subsection (c)(1). (c) When establishing or operating a center, the Secretary—(1) must provide, at no cost to the center, space in existing Department facilities and utilities, custodial services, and other services and amenities the Secretary considers necessary for the children’s health and safety; (2) may, with reimbursement, convert the space provided under paragraph (1) for use as the center and provide needed furniture, office machines and equipment, telephone service, and other operating items, but may provide basic telephone service and surplus furniture and equipment without reimbursement; (3) must provide for parents of children receiving care to participate, directly or through a parent^* advisory committee, in setting operating policies and overseeing their implementation; (4) must require a process to determine whether prospective center employees and volunteers are fit and suitable; and (5) must require compliance with all State^* and local health, safety, and child-care-center laws, ordinances, and regulations. (d) The Secretary must issue regulations to carry out this section. (e) In this section, “parent advisory committee” means a committee made up of and selected by parents of children receiving care at a center operated under this section.