as introduced - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 03/17/2022 02:22pm
Engrossments | ||
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Introduction | Posted on 03/17/2022 |
A bill for an act
relating to early childhood; requiring the commissioner of human services to
develop a cost estimation model for early care and learning programs and a child
care provider wage scale; requiring reports; appropriating money.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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(a) The commissioner of human services shall develop a cost estimation model for
providing early care and learning in the state. In developing the model, the commissioner
shall:
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(1) consult with relevant entities and stakeholders, including but not limited to the State
Advisory Council on Early Childhood Education and Care under Minnesota Statutes, section
124D.141; county administrators; child care resource and referral organizations under
Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.19, subdivision 1; and organizations representing
caregivers, teachers, and directors; and
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(2) ensure that the model can estimate variation in the cost of early care and learning by
differences in:
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(i) quality of care;
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(ii) geographic area;
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(iii) type of child care provider and associated licensing standards;
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(iv) age of child;
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(v) whether the early care and learning is inclusive, caring for children with disabilities
alongside children without disabilities; and
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(vi) provider and staff compensation, including benefits such as professional development
stipends, health benefits, and retirement benefits.
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(b) By January 30, 2023, the commissioner shall report to the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over early childhood programs on the development of the cost estimation
model. The report shall include:
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(1) recommendations for how the model could be used in conjunction with a child care
provider wage scale to set provider payment rates for child care assistance under Minnesota
Statutes, chapter 119B; and
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(2) the department's plan to seek federal approval to use the model for provider payment
rates for child care assistance.
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(a) The commissioner of human services shall develop, in consultation with the
commissioner of employment and economic development, the commissioner of education,
and relevant stakeholders, a child care provider wage scale that:
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(1) provides for wages that are equivalent to elementary school educators with similar
credentials and experience;
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(2) incentivizes child care providers and staff to increase child care-related qualifications;
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(3) incorporates payments toward compensation benefits, including professional
development stipends, health benefits, and retirement benefits; and
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(4) accounts for the business structures of different types of child care providers, including
licensed family child care providers and legal, nonlicensed family child care providers.
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(b) By January 30, 2023, the commissioner shall report to the legislative committees
with jurisdiction over early childhood programs on the development of the wage scale and
make recommendations for how the wage scale could be used to inform payment rates for
child care assistance under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 119B.
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$....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
human services to develop a cost estimation model for providing early care and learning in
the state. This is a onetime appropriation.
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$....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
human services to develop a wage scale for child care providers. This is a onetime
appropriation.
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