H.R. 9707 – MOM Act | Legislate.dev

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Updated February 8, 2026 at 7:01 PM UTC

The MOM Act directs the Department of Health and Human Services to set up a block‑grant program for states. The grants must be used to provide child‑care services that help teenage mothers stay in school or work, reducing their reliance on welfare. It applies to any mother under 18 who has given birth and is not permanently separated from her child.

Key Provisions

Creates a grant program where HHS gives block grants to states for this purpose.
States must spend the money on child‑care for eligible mothers who are enrolled in elementary, secondary, or at least half‑time college courses, or who are employed after schooling.
Defines an "eligible mother" as a person under 18 who has given birth and is not permanently separated from the child, regardless of marital status.

Legislative Activity

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1 earlier action

HouseIntro Referral Latest Action

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Education and Workforce Committee

January 3, 2023

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HouseIntro Referral

Introduced in House

January 3, 2023

HouseIntro Referral

Referred to the House Committee on Education and Labor.

Education and Workforce Committee

January 3, 2023

Bill Text

Latest available legislative text

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Introduced in HouseIssued January 3, 2023

I

117th CONGRESS

2d Session

H. R. 9707

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

January 3, 2023

Mr. Gohmert introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on Education and Labor

A BILL

To direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish a block grant program to provide incentives to underage mothers to stay in school and remain off of welfare, and for other purposes.

1.

Short title

This Act may be cited as the Making Opportunities for Mothers Act or the MOM Act.

2.

Grant program

(a)

Establishment

The Secretary of Health and Human Services shall establish a grant program under which the Secretary makes block grants to States to be administered in accordance with this section.

(b)

Use of grant

A State that receives a grant under subsection (a) shall use such grant to pay the cost of—

(1)

child care services for an eligible mother who is a student enrolled in elementary school or secondary school or enrolled on not less than a half-time basis in an institution of higher education, which enable such mother to attend the courses in which she is enrolled; and

(2)

child care services for an eligible mother described in paragraph (1) who has employment after attending the courses in which she is enrolled, which enable such mother to be so employed.

(c)

Definitions

In this section:

(1)

Elementary school

The term elementary school has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(2)

Eligible Mother

(A)

In general

The term eligible mother means an individual who—

(i)

has not attained the age of 18;

(ii)

has given birth to a child; and

(iii)

has not been permanently separated from such child.

(B)

Rule of construction

Nothing in this Act shall be construed to make a mother ineligible for payments or services under this Act by virtue of being married.

(3)

Institution of higher education

The term institution of higher education has the meaning given the term in section 102 of the Higher Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 1002).

(4)

Secondary school

The term secondary school has the meaning given such term in section 8101 of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act of 1965 (20 U.S.C. 7801).

(5)

State

In this section, the term State means the several States and the District of Columbia.