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HF 641

as introduced - 86th Legislature (2009 - 2010) Posted on 02/09/2010 01:40am

KEY: stricken = removed, old language.
underscored = added, new language.

Current Version - as introduced

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A bill for an act
relating to early childhood education; creating an Office of Early Learning;
proposing coding for new law in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 4.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1.

new text begin [4.046] OFFICE OF EARLY LEARNING.
new text end

new text begin (a) An Office of Early Learning is established to coordinate a high-quality early
childhood system in Minnesota to make such programs more effective and to improve
the educational outcomes of all children. The governor must appoint, and the senate
must confirm, a director who is a recognized expert in the field of early childhood care
and education who will facilitate communication and coordinate prekindergarten and
child care programs under the administration of the Departments of Education, Health,
and Human Services.
new text end

new text begin (b) The director of the Office of Early Learning must coordinate Departments of
Education, Health, and Human Services staff efforts to:
new text end

new text begin (1) consolidate and coordinate resources and public funding streams for early
childhood education and child care, and ensure the accountability and coordinated
development of all early childhood education and child care services to children from
birth to age five;
new text end

new text begin (2) work with the Departments of Education, Health, and Human Services and the
Minnesota Early Learning Foundation (MELF) to create common standards for quality
early childhood programming and rules for teacher training and certification;
new text end

new text begin (3) create a seamless transition from early childhood programs to kindergarten;
new text end

new text begin (4) encourage family choice by ensuring a mixed system of high-quality public and
private programs, with local points of entry, staffed by well-qualified professionals;
new text end

new text begin (5) ensure parents a decisive role in the planning, operation, and evaluation of
programs that aid families in the care of children;
new text end

new text begin (6) provide consumer education and accessibility to early childhood education
and child care resources;
new text end

new text begin (7) advance the quality of early childhood education and child care programs in order
to support the healthy development of children and preparation for their success in school;
new text end

new text begin (8) develop a seamless service delivery system with local points of entry for early
childhood education and child care programs administered by local, state, and federal
agencies;
new text end

new text begin (9) develop and manage an effective data collection system to support the necessary
functions of a coordinated system of early childhood education and child care in order to
enable accurate evaluation of its impact;
new text end

new text begin (10) respect and be sensitive to family values and cultural heritage; and
new text end

new text begin (11) establish the administrative framework for and promote the development of
early childhood education and child care services in order to provide that these services,
staffed by well-qualified professionals, are available in every community for all families
that express a need for them.
new text end

new text begin (c) The director of the Office of Early Learning must coordinate activities with the
State Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care under section 124D.141.
new text end

new text begin (d) The director of the Office of Early Learning must report to the legislative
committees with jurisdiction over the early childhood education and child care programs
by February 1 of each year on the status of the work required under paragraph (b) and
any statutory changes necessary to improve quality and increase access. The director
also must present to these same legislative committees by February 1, 2009, a detailed
plan, with an implementation timeline, to colocate state early childhood education and
child care assistance programs and services.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

new text begin This section is effective the day following final enactment.
new text end