SF 4979
Introduction - 94th Legislature (2025 - 2026)
Posted on 04/08/2026 09:30 a.m.
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A bill for an act
relating to early education; establishing the Task Force on Early Childhood
Educator Licensure; requiring a report; providing for appointments; appropriating
money.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
Section 1. new text begin TASK FORCE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR LICENSURE.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end
new text begin Definitions. new text end
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(a) For the purposes of this section, the following terms have
the meanings given.
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(b) "Commissioner" means the commissioner of children, youth, and families.
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(c) "Early childhood" means the period of life from birth to the start of kindergarten.
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(d) "Metropolitan area" has the same meaning given in Minnesota Statutes, section
473.121, subdivision 2.
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(e) "Task force" means the Task Force on Early Childhood Educator Licensure.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end
new text begin Establishment. new text end
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The Task Force on Early Childhood Educator Licensure is
established to generate a framework for individual licensure for early childhood educators
in Minnesota.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end
new text begin Membership. new text end
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(a) The task force consists of the following members, appointed
by the governor, except as otherwise specified:
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(1) two members of the house of representatives, one appointed by the speaker of the
house and one appointed by the house of representatives Democratic-Farmer-Labor caucus
leader;
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(2) two members of the senate, one appointed by the senate majority leader and one
appointed by the senate minority leader;
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(3) two employees of a child care center licensed under Minnesota Rules, chapter 9503,
one from greater Minnesota and one from the metropolitan area;
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(4) two individuals who are license holders of a family child care program licensed under
Minnesota Rules, chapter 9502, one from greater Minnesota and one from the metropolitan
area;
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(5) two employees of an early child care and education program operated by a public
school district or charter school, one from greater Minnesota and one from the metropolitan
area;
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(6) one representative of a federally recognized Tribe in Minnesota who has expertise
in the Tribal early care and education system;
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(7) one representative of a Head Start or Early Head Start program;
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(8) two parents of children currently attending or who have attended any type of early
care and education program in the past three years, one from greater Minnesota and one
from the metropolitan area;
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(9) one pediatrician with expertise in developmental and behavioral pediatrics or early
childhood mental health, or a licensed mental health professional with expertise in early
childhood development;
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(10) one faculty member or researcher of a higher education or research institution with
expertise in early childhood education or development; and
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(11) the commissioner or the commissioner's designee.
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(b) In making appointments under this subdivision, the governor must, to the extent
practicable, reflect the racial, ethnic, cultural, and linguistic diversity of children, families,
and early childhood educators in Minnesota and include representation from individuals
with experience serving children with disabilities.
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(c) Appointments must be made by August 1, 2026.
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(d) Members of the task force serve at the pleasure of the appointing authority or until
the task force expires. Vacancies must be filled by the appointing authority consistent with
the qualifications required by this subdivision.
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end
new text begin Officers; meetings. new text end
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(a) The commissioner or the commissioner's designee must
convene the first meeting of the task force by September 1, 2026.
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(b) At the first meeting, the task force must elect a chair and may elect other officers as
deemed necessary.
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(c) The task force must meet at least monthly or as determined by the chair. The task
force must meet sufficiently enough to accomplish the tasks identified in this section.
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(d) Meetings of the task force are subject to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.
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new text begin Subd. 5. new text end
new text begin Administration. new text end
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(a) Members must serve without compensation.
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(b) The commissioner must provide support staff, office space, and administrative
services for the task force.
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new text begin Subd. 6. new text end
new text begin Duties. new text end
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(a) The task force must, at a minimum:
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(1) propose a plan for a new individual-based licensure system for early childhood
educator qualifications;
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(2) establish clear comparable competency frameworks in the plan for demonstrating
professional qualifications aside from a postsecondary degree; and
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(3) identify a method for increasing early childhood educator compensation in accordance
with requiring individual licensure and educators achieving different levels of licensure.
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(b) At its discretion, the task force may examine other related issues consistent with this
section.
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new text begin Subd. 7. new text end
new text begin Report. new text end
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On or before March 1, 2027, the task force must submit a report to the
chairs and ranking minority members of the legislative committees with jurisdiction over
child care licensing summarizing the work of the task force and outlining the findings and
recommendations of the task force. The report must include an implementation timeline to
transition the state to its recommendation for individual licensure for early childhood
educators.
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new text begin Subd. 8. new text end
new text begin Expiration. new text end
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The task force expires the day after submitting its report under
subdivision 7.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end
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This section is effective the day following final enactment.
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Sec. 2. new text begin TASK FORCE ON EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATOR LICENSURE;
APPROPRIATION.
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$....... in fiscal year 2027 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner of
children, youth, and families for the Task Force on Early Childhood Educator Licensure
established under section 1. This is a onetime appropriation.
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