S 1115

Abstract

A BILL TO AMEND CHAPTER 152, TITLE 59 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS, BY ADDING SECTION 59-152-22, TO PROVIDE FOR A DIRECTOR TO SERVE AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND ADMINISTRATIVE HEAD OF FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS AND TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DIRECTOR; TO AMEND CHAPTER 152, TITLE 59 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS, BY ADDING SECTION 59-152-55, TO PROVIDE THAT THE DIRECTOR MAY FORM AND CONTRACT WITH A PRIVATE NONPROFIT FOUNDATION TO FINANCIALLY SUPPORT THE EFFORTS OF FIRST STEPS, AMONG OTHER THINGS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-152-10 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF FIRST STEPS, TO DESIGNATE IT AS AN AGENCY INSTEAD OF AN INITIATIVE, TO ELIMINATE LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS, AND TO PROVIDE ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR THE AGENCY AND ITS DIRECTOR; TO AMEND SECTION 59-152-20 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE PURPOSE OF FIRST STEPS, TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 59-152-25 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO DEFINITIONS CONCERNING FIRST STEPS, TO REVISE NECESSARY DEFINITIONS; TO AMEND SECTION 59-152-30 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE GOALS FOR FIRST STEPS, TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES; TO AMEND SECTION 59-152-32 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE LONG-RANGE INITIATIVE OF FIRST STEPS, TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES AND REMOVE OBSOLETE LANGUAGE; TO AMEND SECTION 59-152-33 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE ROLE OF THE DEPARTMENT IN THE SCHOOL READINESS ASSESSMENT, TO MAKE CONFORMING CHANGES AND REMOVE OBSOLETE LANGUAGE; TO AMEND SECTION 59-152-40 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO OVERSIGHT OF FIRST STEPS BY A BOARD OF TRUSTEES, TO ELIMINATE THIS OVERSIGHT AND TO PROVIDE THAT THE EARLY CHILDHOOD ADVISORY COUNCIL SHALL SERVE AS AN ADVISORY BOARD TO THE DEPARTMENT AND TO PROVIDE RELATED DUTIES OF THE COUNCIL; TO AMEND SECTION 59-152-50 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE ESTABLISHMENT OF THE OFFICE OF SOUTH CAROLINA FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS AND RELATED DUTIES, TO ELIMINATE THE EXISTING PROVISIONS AND PROVIDE DUTIES OF THE DEPARTMENT; TO AMEND SECTION 59-152-60 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE CREATION, FUNCTION, AND DUTIES OF LOCAL FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIP BOARDS, TO ELIMINATE THE EXISTING PROVISIONS AND ESTABLISH REGIONAL FIRST STEPS OFFICES, TO SPECIFY THE MEMBERSHIP OF EACH REGION, AND TO PROVIDE RELATED DUTIES OF THE DIRECTOR; TO AMEND SECTION 59-152-70 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF LOCAL FIRST STEPS PARTNERSHIPS, TO PROVIDE FOR THE CREATION OF ADVISORY BOARDS FOR EACH REGIONAL OFFICE, TO PROVIDE REQUIREMENTS CONCERNING THE COMPOSITION OF THE ADVISORY BOARDS, AND TO PROVIDE ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS ARE NOT ENTITLED TO PER DIEM OR COMPENSATION; TO REPEAL ARTICLE 17 OF CHAPTER 11, TITLE 63 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO THE FIRST STEPS TO SCHOOL READINESS BOARD OF TRUSTEES; TO REPEAL SECTION 59-152-90 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO LOCAL PARTNERSHIP GRANT FUNDING PROCEDURES; TO REPEAL SECTION 59-152-100 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO LOCAL PARTNERSHIP GRANT USE REQUIREMENTS; TO REPEAL SECTION 59-152-120 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO LOCAL PARTNERSHIP GRANT FUNDING USE RESTRICTIONS; TO REPEAL SECTION 59-152-130 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO LOCAL PARTNERSHIP MATCHING FUNDS; TO REPEAL SECTION 59-152-140 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO CARRY FORWARD FUNDS; TO REPEAL SECTION 59-152-150 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO FISCAL ACCOUNTABILITY MEASURES FOR LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS; AND TO REPEAL SECTION 59-152-160 OF THE 1976 CODE, RELATING TO INTERNAL EVALUATION POLICIES AND PROCEDURES.