The abrupt closure of Sullivan County Head Start earlier this year has prompted a Hudson Valley lawmaker to introduce legislation in Congress.

Rep. Marc Molinaro (R - NY-19) introduced the "Head Start Accountability Act," according to his office, seeking stronger oversight over programs like Sullivan County Head Start. That program reopened under a new name in April, offering some services in Riverside, Waverly and Woodbourne.

A release from Molinaro's office said the Head Start closure in Sullivan County left "nearly 400 families without childcare and nearly 100 providers without a job."

The release says the bill would require the Department of Health and Human Services' inspector general's office to "investigate local head start programs when a financial audit is not submitted so corrections can be made before a closure occurs." At the time of Sullivan County Head Start's closing in February, the program pointed to what it called "unforeseen circumstances," but federal officials blamed a mismanagement of funds.