# Reducing Federal Burden for Head Start Programs

**Action Urgency Score:** 20/100

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Agency | Health and Human Services Department; Children and Families Administration |
| Type | Proposed rule |
| Action | Notice of proposed rulemaking. |
| Published | 2026-08-07 |
| Comments close | 2026-10-06 |
| Significant | No |
| CFR parts | 45 CFR 1301, 45 CFR 1302, 45 CFR 1303, 45 CFR 1304, 45 CFR 1305 |
| Summary | This NPRM proposes to rescind and replace the Head Start Program Performance Standards (Performance Standards), last revised in 2024. The proposed Performance Standards would significantly reduce Federal bureaucratic burden on programs; defer to State policies wherever possible; return substantial local control to Head Start agencies delivering the services and to parents as the primary caregivers and decision-makers for their children; reduce unnecessary duplication of Head Start regulations with Federal statute and other regulations; and emphasize the critical role of health, nutrition, and  |
| Document number | 2026-16134 |

## Why this score


Source: Federal Register API (Office of the Federal Register) (https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2026/08/07/2026-16134/reducing-federal-burden-for-head-start-programs). Last refreshed: 2026-11-04T21:40:49.974Z.
Data from the Federal Register API; the published Federal Register document is authoritative. Informational only, not legal advice.