SF 1845

2nd Engrossment - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/24/2017 09:40am

A bill for an act
relating to state government; establishing the early education access fund on July
1, 2020; requiring the Legislative Coordinating Commission to provide for a study
of Minnesota early childhood care and education programs; requiring a report;
appropriating money; proposing coding for new law as Minnesota Statutes, chapter
119C.

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

Section 1.

new text begin [119C.01] EARLY EDUCATION ACCESS FUND.
new text end

new text begin On July 1, 2020, the early education access fund is established to coordinate
appropriations and programs for children attending high-quality early child care and education
programs of their parents' choice.
new text end

Sec. 2. new text begin EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION PROGRAM STUDY.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin Study authorized. new text end

new text begin (a) The Legislative Coordinating Commission must
provide for a study of Minnesota early childhood care and education programs. The
Legislative Coordinating Commission must use a request for proposal process to select a
vendor to conduct the study. The commissioners of education, human services, and health
must make reasonable efforts to provide information consistent with the purpose of the
study and required recommendation elements of the study report under subdivision 2.
new text end

new text begin (b) The selected vendor must consult with individuals or groups representing child care
providers, early childhood special education programs, Head Start programs, voluntary
prekindergarten programs, school readiness programs, early learning scholarship programs,
community education programs, organizations and coalitions advocating to increase child
access to high-quality early childhood care and education, and families of children eligible
for early childhood care and education programs. The individuals and groups consulted
must represent public and private, including faith-based, providers of these services and
programs.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Report requirements. new text end

new text begin No later than January 15, 2018, the Legislative
Coordinating Commission must deliver a report completed by the vendor under subdivision
1 to the chairs and ranking minority members of the senate and house of representatives
committees having jurisdiction over early childhood education, health, and human services.
At a minimum, the report must make recommendations relating to:
new text end

new text begin (1) integrating state resources for child care assistance provided through the basic sliding
fee program under Minnesota Statutes, section 119B.03, and the Minnesota family investment
program under Minnesota Statutes, chapter 256J;
new text end

new text begin (2) aligning family income eligibility requirements for early childhood care and education
programs under Minnesota Statutes, chapters 119B, 124D, and 256J;
new text end

new text begin (3) coordinating outreach to families eligible to provide uniform notification about
available program options;
new text end

new text begin (4) reducing duplicative paperwork and administrative burden and increasing the stability
of funding for families of children eligible for early childhood care and education programs;
new text end

new text begin (5) maximizing child care assistance program integrity and payment mechanisms to
increase fund accountability and efficiency;
new text end

new text begin (6) transferring powers and duties related to the quality rating and improvement system
under Minnesota Statutes, section 124D.142;
new text end

new text begin (7) providing for local and state information technology investments and data sharing
agreements necessary to support a system of coordinated care and education;
new text end

new text begin (8) coordinating internal and external evaluation of early childhood care and education
programs to measure and report on their effectiveness and efficiency; and
new text end

new text begin (9) transferring or consolidating powers and duties related to other early childhood care
and education programs currently administered by the Department of Education, the
Department of Human Services, or the Department of Health.
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

Sec. 3. new text begin APPROPRIATION; EARLY CHILDHOOD CARE AND EDUCATION
PROGRAM STUDY.
new text end

new text begin $....... in fiscal year 2018 is appropriated from the general fund to the Legislative
Coordinating Commission for the early childhood care and education program study.
new text end