HF 4497

2nd Engrossment - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/07/2022 12:26pm

A bill for an act
relating to early childhood; requiring reports on the information technology
supporting and the data practices governing child care and early learning programs;
creating and funding an account to modernize early childhood programs'
information technology; appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin MODERNIZING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY FOR PROGRAMS
IMPACTING YOUNG CHILDREN.
new text end

new text begin (a) The commissioner of information technology services shall develop and implement,
to the extent that there is funding available in the early childhood information technology
account in the special revenue fund, a plan to modernize the information technology systems
that support the programs impacting early childhood, including child care and early learning
programs and those serving young children administered by the Departments of Education
and Human Services and other departments with programs impacting early childhood as
identified by the Children's Cabinet. The commissioner may contract for the services
contained in this section.
new text end

new text begin (b) The plan must support the goal of creating information technology systems for early
childhood programs that collect, analyze, share, and report data on program participation,
school readiness, early screening, and other childhood indicators. The plan must include
strategies to:
new text end

new text begin (1) increase the efficiency and effectiveness with which early childhood programs serve
children and families;
new text end

new text begin (2) improve coordination among early childhood programs for families; and
new text end

new text begin (3) assess the impact of early childhood programs on children's outcomes, including
school readiness.
new text end

new text begin (c) In developing and implementing the plan required under this section, the contractor
must consult with the commissioners of education and human services and other departments
with programs impacting early childhood as identified by the Children's Cabinet; the
Children's Cabinet; and other stakeholders.
new text end

new text begin (d) By February 1 of each year, the commissioner must provide a preliminary report on
the status of the plan's development and implementation to the committees of the legislature
with jurisdiction over early childhood programs.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EARLY CHILDHOOD INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY ACCOUNT.
new text end

new text begin The early childhood information technology account is created in the special revenue
fund. Money in the account is appropriated to the commissioner of information technology
services for developing and implementing a plan to modernize the information technology
systems that support programs impacting early childhood, including child care and early
learning programs and those serving young children.
new text end

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; DATA SHARING AMONG PROGRAMS IMPACTING
YOUNG CHILDREN.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
management and budget to: (1) identify any administrative rules and practices that prevent
or complicate data sharing among child care and early learning programs administered by
the Departments of Education and Human Services and other departments with programs
impacting early childhood as identified by the Children's Cabinet; and (2) support ongoing
efforts to address any barriers to data sharing. The commissioner must consult with the
commissioners of education, human services, and information technology services; the
Children's Cabinet; and other stakeholders. The commissioner of management and budget
must report preliminary findings to the committees of the legislature with jurisdiction over
early childhood programs by February 1, 2023, and make a final report by February 1, 2024.
This is a onetime appropriation and is available until June 30, 2024.
new text end

Sec. 4. new text begin APPROPRIATION; EARLY CHILDHOOD INFORMATION
TECHNOLOGY ACCOUNT.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund for transfer to the early
childhood information technology account.
new text end