SF 92

2nd Engrossment - 85th Legislature (2007 - 2008) Posted on 12/15/2009 12:00am

A bill for an act
relating to early childhood education; establishing an advisory school readiness
board to make recommendations to the governor and the legislature on
developing a coordinated, efficient, and cost-effective system for delivering
early childhood programs throughout the state; proposing coding for new law
in Minnesota Statutes, chapter 124D.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [124D.141] STATE ADVISORY BOARD ON SCHOOL READINESS.
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new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Establishment. new text end

new text begin A 13-member State Advisory Board on School
Readiness is established in the Office of the Governor to advise the governor and the
legislature on developing a coordinated, efficient, and cost-effective system for delivering
throughout Minnesota early childhood programs that focus on early care and education,
health care, and family support.
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new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Board members; terms. new text end

new text begin (a) The advisory board includes the following
13 members:
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new text begin (1) the commissioner of employment and economic development or the
commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (2) the commissioner of health or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (3) the commissioner of education or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (4) the commissioner of human services or the commissioner's designee;
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new text begin (5) four public members with experience in early childhood care and school
counseling and administration, appointed as follows: one by the senate majority leader
and one by the senate minority leader, one by the speaker and one by the minority leader
of the house of representatives;
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new text begin (6) one representative from the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation; and
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new text begin (7) four public members who are community or business leaders, appointed as
follows: one by the senate majority leader and one by the senate minority leader, one by
the speaker and one by the minority leader of the house of representatives.
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new text begin The appointments required under this paragraph must be completed by September 1, 2007.
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new text begin (b) The commissioner of education shall convene the first meeting of the board.
Board members must nominate and elect a chairperson and other officers from among
the public members. Members shall serve a term of two years and may be reappointed
for subsequent terms. The board shall meet regularly at the times and places the board
determines. Meetings shall be called by the chair or at the written request of any three
members. The removal of members and vacancies on the board are governed by section
15.059.
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new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) As conclusive evidence becomes available, the board shall make
periodic reports and recommendations to the governor and the chairs of the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction over education policy and finance regarding:
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new text begin (1) the most effective method to improve the coordination and delivery of early care
and education services that integrates child care, preschools, and family support services
and programs;
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new text begin (2) a multiyear plan for effectively and efficiently coordinating and integrating
state services for early care and education, improving service delivery and standards
of care, avoiding duplication and fragmentation of service, and enhancing public and
private investment;
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new text begin (3) methods for measuring the quality, quantity, and effectiveness of early care and
education programs throughout the state;
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new text begin (4) how to identify and measure school readiness indicators on a regular basis;
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new text begin (5) how to track, enhance, integrate, and coordinate federal, state, and local funds
allocated for early care and education and related family support services;
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new text begin (6) policy changes to improve children's ability to start school ready to learn; and
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new text begin (7) how to provide technical assistance to community efforts that promote school
readiness and encourage community organizations to collaborate in promoting school
readiness.
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new text begin (b) The board shall convene separate policy work groups to make recommendations
to the governor and the legislature on:
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new text begin (1) financing early childhood programs;
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new text begin (2) building a coordinated service delivery system based on an assessment of early
childhood systems and available state and federal funding;
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new text begin (3) integrating a coordinated, collaborative health care component, including
medical homes, parent education, family support, health and early education, into early
childhood programs and avoiding duplication of services;
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new text begin (4) enhancing the quality and measuring the cost of child care and preschool
programs; and
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new text begin (5) improving the wages, benefits, and supply of early childhood professionals.
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new text begin (c) By January 15 each year, the board shall report to the chairs of the legislative
committees and divisions with jurisdiction over education policy and finance regarding its
activities and progress and forward the recommendations required under paragraph (a).
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new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Expiration. new text end

new text begin This section expires January 1, 2013.
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new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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