HB 5451

Abstract

Creates the Department of Early Childhood Act. Creates the Department of Early Childhood to begin operation on July 1, 2024 and transfers to it certain rights, powers, duties, and functions currently exercised by various agencies of State Government. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026 the Department of Early Childhood shall be the lead State agency for administering and providing early childhood education and care programs and services to children and families including: home-visiting services; early intervention services; preschool services; child care services; licensing for day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes; and other early childhood education and care programs and administrative functions historically managed by the State Board of Education, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Children and Family Services. Makes conforming changes to various Acts including the Department of Human Services Act, the Illinois Early Learning Council Act, the Illinois Procurement Code, the School Code, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Early Intervention Services System Act and the Children and Family Services Act. Effective immediately. House Committee Amendment No. 1 Deletes reference to: 20 ILCS 5/5-126 new Adds reference to: 225 ILCS 10/2.11 rep. 225 ILCS 10/2.09 from Ch. 23, par. 2212.09 225 ILCS 10/3 from Ch. 23, par. 2213 225 ILCS 10/3.01 new 225 ILCS 10/4 from Ch. 23, par. 2214 225 ILCS 10/4.01 new 225 ILCS 10/4.1 from Ch. 23, par. 2214.1 225 ILCS 10/4.2a new 225 ILCS 10/4.3 from Ch. 23, par. 2214.3 225 ILCS 10/4.3a new 225 ILCS 10/4.4 from Ch. 23, par. 2214.4 225 ILCS 10/4.4a new 225 ILCS 10/4.5 225 ILCS 10/5 from Ch. 23, par. 2215 225 ILCS 10/5.01 new 225 ILCS 10/5.1 from Ch. 23, par. 2215.1 225 ILCS 10/5.1a new 225 ILCS 10/5.2 225 ILCS 10/5.2a new 225 ILCS 10/5.8 225 ILCS 10/5.9 225 ILCS 10/5.10 225 ILCS 10/5.11 225 ILCS 10/6 from Ch. 23, par. 2216 225 ILCS 10/6.1 new 225 ILCS 10/7 from Ch. 23, par. 2217 225 ILCS 10/7.01 new 225 ILCS 10/7.2 from Ch. 23, par. 2217.2 225 ILCS 10/7.10 225 ILCS 10/8 from Ch. 23, par. 2218 225 ILCS 10/8a new 225 ILCS 10/8.1 from Ch. 23, par. 2218.1 225 ILCS 10/8.1a new 225 ILCS 10/8.2 from Ch. 23, par. 2218.2 225 ILCS 10/8.2a new 225 ILCS 10/8.5 225 ILCS 10/8.6 new 225 ILCS 10/9 from Ch. 23, par. 2219 225 ILCS 10/9.01 new 225 ILCS 10/9.1 from Ch. 23, par. 2219.1 225 ILCS 10/9.1c 225 ILCS 10/9.2 225 ILCS 10/10 from Ch. 23, par. 2220 225 ILCS 10/11 from Ch. 23, par. 2221 225 ILCS 10/11.1 from Ch. 23, par. 2221.1 225 ILCS 10/11.1a new 225 ILCS 10/11.2 from Ch. 23, par. 2221.2 225 ILCS 10/11.3 new 225 ILCS 10/12 from Ch. 23, par. 2222 225 ILCS 10/12.1 new 225 ILCS 10/15 from Ch. 23, par. 2225 225 ILCS 10/15.1 new 225 ILCS 10/16 from Ch. 23, par. 2226 225 ILCS 10/16.1 new 225 ILCS 10/17 from Ch. 23, par. 2227 225 ILCS 10/18 from Ch. 23, par. 2228 225 ILCS 10/18.1 new Replaces everything after the enacting clause. Creates the Department of Early Childhood Act. Creates the Department of Early Childhood to begin operation on July 1, 2024 and transfers to it certain rights, powers, duties, and functions currently exercised by various agencies of State Government. Provides that, beginning July 1, 2026 the Department of Early Childhood shall be the lead State agency for administering and providing early childhood education and care programs and services to children and families including: home-visiting services; early intervention services; preschool services; child care services; licensing for day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes; and other early childhood education and care programs and administrative functions historically managed by the State Board of Education, the Department of Human Services, and the Department of Children and Family Services. Amends the Child Care Act of 1969. Provides that the Department of Early Childhood (rather than the Department of Children and Family Services) administers day care centers, day care homes, and group day care homes. Makes conforming changes to various Acts including the Department of Human Services Act, the Illinois Early Learning Council Act, the Illinois Procurement Code, the School Code, the Illinois Public Aid Code, the Early Intervention Services System Act and the Children and Family Services Act. Effective immediately, except the provisions amending the Child Care Act of 1969 take effect July 1, 2026.