HB 1822

Abstract

Creates the Early Childhood Program Eligibility Screening Act. Establishes the Early Childhood Program Eligibility Screening Program to coordinate the enrollment of children into early childhood programs that receive 90% or more of their funding through federal and State funds and that provide services to children from birth to 5 years of age. Sets forth requirements for the program. Provides that the program shall be implemented and administered by the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development, which shall act in cooperation with other programs serving young children in the community. Requires the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development to develop a Universal Early Childhood Program Application. Provides that each early childhood program in a community that receives 90% or more of its funding through federal and State funds and that provides services to children from birth to 5 years of age shall use the application to determine a family's eligibility for any and all of the community's early childhood programs. Sets forth what must be included on the application. Contains provisions concerning enrollment and placement. Provides for rulemaking. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Reinserts the contents of the bill with the following changes. Renames the Act to the Early Childhood Program Recruitment and Eligibility Screening Pilot Program Act. Renames the program created under the Act to the Early Childhood Program Recruitment and Eligibility Screening Pilot Program. Provides that the State Board of Education (rather than the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development) shall implement and administer the pilot program. Removes early intervention services or programs, Child and Family Connections offices, the Child Find Project, and the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program as programs included in the pilot program. Provides that the Early Childhood Program Recruitment and Eligibility Screening Pilot Program shall begin with the 2021-2022 school year and shall operate for a period of 2 school years in which either Pilot Program One or Pilot Program Two shall be implemented as determined by the location of the participating entity; defines "participating entity". Provides that the State Board of Education (rather than the Governor's Office of Early Childhood Development) shall develop a Universal Early Childhood Program Application. Adds an effective date of July 1, 2021.