2780 AMH BOLD FORL 024

HB 2780 - H AMD

By Representative Boldt

Strike everything after the enacting clause and insert the following:

"NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. The legislature finds that the early years of a child's life are critical to the child's healthy brain development and the quality of caregiving during those early years can significantly impact the child's intellectual and emotional growth and social adjustment.

The legislature further finds that early learning programs that are responsive to family economic necessities and changing workforce dynamics, yet also strive to preserve family stability and personal responsibility will best support families in preparing for and maintaining children's success in school and life.

It is therefore the purpose of this act to initiate a process to develop goals for early learning and child care programs throughout the state.

NEW SECTION. Sec. 2. (1) There is established an early learning legislative work group to make recommendations for developing specific goals for early learning programs in the state.

(2) Members of the work group shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate. Membership of the work group shall consist of members of the house children and family services committee, education committee, and appropriations committee and the senate children and family services and corrections committee, education committee, and ways and means committee. Cochairs of the work group shall be appointed by the speaker of the house of representatives and the president of the senate.

(3) The work group shall:

(a) Define legislative expectations and provide policy direction for quality early learning programs;

(b) Identify the most efficient ways to improve the administration and fiscal management of quality early learning programs in the state;

(c) Seek involvement from families, community groups, educators, and state agencies involved with early learning programs throughout the state.

(4) The work group shall use legislative facilities and staff from the office of program research and senate committee services.

(5) The work group shall report its recommendations to the legislature by January 10, 2005."

EFFECT:

Establishes an Early Learning Legislative Work Group, rather than an Early Learning and Child Care Legislative Work Group, to make recommendations for developing specific goals for early learning programs in the state, rather than to make recommendations for developing a strategic vision and specific goals for early learning and child care programs and services in the state.

Requires the Work Group to:

--define legislative expectations and provide policy direction for quality early learning programs, rather than for a statewide strategic plan for quality early learning and child care programs and services;

--identify the most efficient ways to improve the administration and fiscal management of quality early learning programs in the state, rather than identify the most efficient system for the administration and fiscal management of quality early learning and child care programs and services in the state;

--seek involvement from families, community groups, educators rather than stakeholder groups, and state agencies involved with early learning programs, rather than early learning and child care programs and services, throughout the state.

Eliminates the requirement that the Work Group make recommendations regarding consolidation of early learning and child care programs and services in the state.

Eliminates the requirement that the Work Group report its progress to the Legislature by December 5, 2004, but retains the requirement that the Work Group report its recommendations to the legislature by January 10, 2005.