SF 92

1st 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.
new text end

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.
new text end

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;
new text end

new text begin (4) the commissioner of human services or the commissioner's designee;
new text end

new text begin (5) five public members appointed jointly by the majority and minority leader in the
senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the minority leader in the house
of representatives who are recognized experts in early care and education, including one
school counselor and one early educator;
new text end

new text begin (6) one representative from the Minnesota Early Learning Foundation; and
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new text begin (7) three public members appointed jointly by the majority and minority leader in the
senate, the speaker of the house of representatives, and the minority leader in the house of
representatives who are community or business leaders.
new text end

new text begin (b) Members appointed by the majority and minority leader in the senate, the speaker
of the house of representatives, and the minority leader in the house of representatives
serve staggered three-year terms. Board members must nominate and elect a chairperson
and other officers from among the public members. Members initially appointed to the
board shall assign themselves by lot to terms of one, two, or three years. The chairperson
must notify the governor on the assignment of these 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. Members' terms, compensation, removal, and
vacancies are governed by section 15.0575.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Duties. new text end

new text begin (a) The board shall recommend to the governor and the legislature:
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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;
new text end

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.
new text end

new text begin (b) The board shall convene separate policy work groups to make recommendations
to the governor and the legislature on:
new text end

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.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 4. new text end

new text begin Board expiration. new text end

new text begin The State Advisory Board on School Readiness
expires January 1, 2013.
new text end

new text begin EFFECTIVE DATE. new text end

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