HF 4497

1st Engrossment - 92nd Legislature (2021 - 2022) Posted on 04/04/2022 05:08pm

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;
appropriating money.

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

Section 1. new text begin APPROPRIATION; MODERNIZING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY
FOR PROGRAMS IMPACTING YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
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new text begin (a) $....... in fiscal year 2023 is appropriated from the general fund to the commissioner
of management and budget to develop and implement 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 and families 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. This is a onetime appropriation and is
available until June 30, 2025.
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:
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new text begin (1) increase the efficiency and effectiveness with which early childhood programs serve
children and families;
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new text begin (2) improve coordination among early childhood programs for families; and
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new text begin (3) assess the impact of early childhood programs on children's outcomes, including
school readiness.
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new text begin (c) In developing and implementing the plan required under this section, the contractor
must consult with the commissioners of education, human services, and information
technology 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, 2023, 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 APPROPRIATION; DATA SHARING AMONG PROGRAMS IMPACTING
YOUNG CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
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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