Connecticut 2013 Regular Session

Connecticut House Bill HB06359 Compare Versions

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11 General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 6359
2-January Session, 2013 *_____HB06359KID___051413____*
2+January Session, 2013 *_____HB06359FIN___041513____*
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44 General Assembly
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66 Substitute Bill No. 6359
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88 January Session, 2013
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10+*_____HB06359FIN___041513____*
1111
1212 AN ACT CONCERNING AN EARLY CHILDHOOD SYSTEM.
1313
1414 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened:
1515
1616 Section 1. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2013) (a) There shall be an Office of Early Childhood. The office shall be under the direction of the executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, whose appointment shall be made by the Governor. Such appointment shall be in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-5 to 4-8, inclusive, of the general statutes, as amended by this act. The executive director shall be responsible for implementing the policies and directives of the office. Said office shall be within the Department of Education for administrative purposes only pursuant to section 4-38f of the general statutes.
1717
1818 (b) The office shall be responsible for: (1) The delivery of services to children; (2) administering the coordinated system of early care and education and child development, pursuant to section 10-16bb of the general statutes, as amended by this act; (3) developing and implementing an early childhood information system with the capability of tracking (A) the health, safety and school readiness of all children receiving early care and education from any local or regional board of education or any program receiving public funding, in a manner similar to the system described in section 10-10a of the general statutes, (B) the characteristics of the existing and potential workforce serving such children in any local or regional school district or in a program receiving any public funding, and (C) the characteristics of the programs in which such children are served; (4) developing and reporting on an early childhood accountability plan, in consultation with the Early Childhood Education Cabinet, established pursuant to section 10-16z of the general statutes, as amended by this act; (5) implementing a communications strategy for outreach to families, service providers and policymakers; (6) not later than January 1, 2015, beginning a state-wide longitudinal evaluation of the school readiness program examining the educational progress of children from prekindergarten programs to grade four, inclusive, including a study of the reliability and validity of the kindergarten assessment tool developed pursuant to subsection (h) of section 10-14n of the general statutes; (7) developing, coordinating and supporting public and private partnerships to aid early childhood initiatives; and (8) developing a plan for (A) changing the requirement for when a child five years of age may enroll in kindergarten pursuant to section 10-15c of the general statutes from January first of the school year to October first of the school year, and (B) the creation of spaces in school readiness programs for those children who reach five years of age after October first of any school year and are not eligible to enroll in kindergarten for such school year.
1919
2020 (c) Any local or regional board of education, school readiness program, as defined in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 10-16p of the general statutes, receiving any public funding, or any child day care center described in subdivision (1) of section 19a-77 of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and licensed by the Department of Public Health or the Office of Early Childhood, shall ensure that all children and all staff in a school under the jurisdiction of such board, program or center are entered into the early childhood information system.
2121
2222 (d) The Office of Early Childhood shall constitute a successor department, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d, 4-38e and 4-39 of the general statutes, to (1) the Department of Education with respect to sections 8-210, 10-4o, 10-16n, 10-16p to 10-16r, inclusive, 10-16u, 10-16w, 10-16aa, 10-16dd, 17b-749a, 17b-749c and 17b-749g to 17b-749i, inclusive, of the general statutes, as amended by this act; (2) the Department of Social Services with respect to section 15 of this act and sections 17b-705a, 17b-12, 17b-730, 17b-733 to 17b-736, inclusive, 17b-738, 17b-739, 17b-749, 17b-749d to 17b-749f, inclusive, 17b-749j, 17b-749k, 17b-750 to 17b-751a, inclusive, 17b-751d and 17b-751e of the general statutes, as amended by this act; (3) the Department of Developmental Services with respect to sections 17a-248, 17a-248b to 17a-248d, inclusive, and 17a-248g of the general statutes, as amended by this act; and (4) the Department of Public Health with respect to sections 10a-194c, 12-634, 17a-28, 17a-101, 17b-90, 19a-77, 19a-79, 19a-80, 19a-80f, 19a-82 and 19a-86 to 19a-87e, inclusive, of the general statutes, as amended by this act.
2323
2424 Sec. 2. Section 4-5 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
2525
2626 As used in sections 4-6, 4-7 and 4-8, the term "department head" means Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, Commissioner of Administrative Services, Commissioner of Revenue Services, Banking Commissioner, Commissioner of Children and Families, Commissioner of Construction Services, Commissioner of Consumer Protection, Commissioner of Correction, Commissioner of Economic and Community Development, State Board of Education, Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection, Commissioner of Agriculture, Commissioner of Public Health, Insurance Commissioner, Labor Commissioner, Liquor Control Commission, Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, Commissioner of Social Services, Commissioner of Developmental Services, Commissioner of Motor Vehicles, Commissioner of Transportation, Commissioner of Veterans' Affairs, Commissioner of Housing, Commissioner of Rehabilitation Services, the executive director of the Office of Early Childhood and the executive director of the Office of Military Affairs. As used in sections 4-6 and 4-7, "department head" also means the Commissioner of Education and the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education.
2727
2828 Sec. 3. Section 10-16bb of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
2929
3030 (a) On and after July 1, 2013, [there shall be] the Office of Early Childhood shall administer a coordinated system of early care and education and child development. The coordinated system of early care and education and child development shall consist of comprehensive and aligned policies, responsibilities, practices and services for young children and their families, including prenatal care and care for children from birth to eight years of age, inclusive, to ensure optimal health, safety and learning for each child, and that are in accordance with the plan developed by the planning director pursuant to section 10-16cc.
3131
3232 (b) The Office of Early Childhood, in administering the coordinated system of early care and education and child development, shall (1) create a unified set of reporting requirements for the programs described in subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-16cc, as amended by this act, for the purpose of collecting the data elements necessary to perform quality assessments and longitudinal analysis; (2) compare and analyze the data collected pursuant to reporting requirements created under subdivision (1) of this subsection with the data collected in the state-wide public school information system, pursuant to section 10-10a, for population-level analysis of children and families; (3) develop and update appropriate early learning standards and assessment tools for children from birth to five years of age, inclusive, that are age and developmentally appropriate and that are aligned with existing learning standards as of July 1, 2013, and assessment tools for students in grades kindergarten to twelve, inclusive; (4) continually monitor and evaluate all early childhood education and child care programs and services, focusing on program outcomes in satisfying the health, safety, developmental and educational needs of all children; (5) develop indicators that assess strategies designed to strengthen the family through parental involvement in a child's development and education, including children with special needs; (6) increase the availability of early childhood education and child care programs and services and encourage the providers of such programs and services to work together to create multiple options that allow families to participate in programs that serve the particular needs of each family; (7) provide information and technical assistance to persons seeking early childhood education and child care programs and services; (8) assist state agencies and municipalities in obtaining available federal funding for early childhood education and child care programs and services; (9) provide technical assistance and consultation to licensed providers of early childhood education and child care programs and services and assist any potential provider of such programs and services in obtaining the necessary licensure and certification; (10) incorporate the quality rating and improvement system developed by the [Department of Education] office that covers home-based, center-based and school-based early child care and learning; (11) maintain a system of accreditation facilitation to assist early childhood education and child care programs and services in achieving national standards and program improvement; (12) create partnerships between state agencies and philanthropic organizations to assist in the implementation of the coordinated system of early care and education and child development; (13) align the system's policy and program goals with those of the Early Childhood Education Cabinet, pursuant to section 10-16z, as amended by this act, and the Head Start advisory committee, pursuant to section 10-16n, as amended by this act; (14) ensure a coordinated and comprehensive state-wide system of professional development for providers of early childhood education and child care programs and services; (15) develop family-centered services that assist families in their communities; (16) provide families with opportunities for choice in services including quality child care; (17) integrate early childhood education and special education services; (18) emphasize targeted research-based interventions; (19) organize services into a coherent system; (20) coordinate a comprehensive and accessible delivery system for early childhood education and child care services; (21) focus on performance measures to ensure that services are accountable, effective and accessible to the consumer; (22) promote universal access to early childhood care and education; (23) ensure nonduplication of monitoring and evaluation; (24) encourage, promote and coordinate funding for the establishment and administration of local and regional early childhood councils that implement local and regional birth-to-eight systems; and (25) perform any other activities that will assist in the provision of early childhood education and child care programs and services.
3333
3434 (c) The Office of Early Childhood, in administering the coordinated system of early care and education and child development, shall collaborate with local and regional early childhood councils to implement the coordinated system of early care and education and child development at the local level. Such early childhood councils shall: (1) Develop and implement a comprehensive plan for an early childhood system for the community served by such early childhood council, (2) develop policy and program planning, (3) encourage community participation by emphasizing substantial parental involvement, (4) collect, analyze and evaluate data with a focus on program and service outcomes, (5) allocate resources, and (6) perform any other functions that will assist in the provision of early childhood programs and services. Such early childhood councils may enter into memoranda of agreement with the local or regional school readiness council, described in section 10-16r, as amended by this act, of the town or region served by such early childhood council to perform the duties and functions of a school readiness council, in accordance with the provisions of said section 10-16r, or if no such local or regional school readiness council exists for the town or region of such early childhood council, perform the duties and functions of a school readiness council, in accordance with the provisions of section 10-16r, as amended by this act.
3535
3636 (d) The Office of Early Childhood, in administering the coordinated system of early care and education and child development, may enter into memoranda of agreement with and accept donations from nonprofit and philanthropic organizations to accomplish the purposes of this section.
3737
3838 Sec. 4. Section 10-16cc of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
3939
4040 (a) On or before July 15, 2011, the Governor shall appoint, in consultation with the Early Childhood Education Cabinet, established under section 10-16z, as amended by this act, a planning director for the planning and development of the coordinated system of early care and education and child development described in section 10-16bb, as amended by this act, provided such appointment is made within available appropriations or funded by donations from private sources or federal funds to cover the costs of carrying out the provisions of this section. The planning director shall be within the Office of Policy and Management.
4141
4242 (b) (1) The planning director shall develop a plan for the coordinated system of early care and education and child development to be administered by the Office of Early Childhood, pursuant to section 10-16bb, as amended by this act. Such plan shall consolidate existing early childhood education and child care programs and services serving children from birth to eight years of age, inclusive, into a coordinated system that attempts to (A) reduce the academic achievement gap, (B) increase participation in early childhood education programs, (C) increase parent engagement, family literacy and parenting skills, (D) increase oral language development, (E) increase social competence, (F) decrease special education placements, and (G) support parents and guardians of young children to find employment and to remain employed and encourage such parents and guardians to attend work training programs. Consolidation may include, but not be limited to, school readiness programs, Head Start programs, the family resource center program, established pursuant to section 10-4o, child care facilities, licensing and services described in section 8-210, as amended by this act, the birth-to-three program, established pursuant to section 17a-248, as amended by this act, professional development activities relating to early childhood education and any other relevant early childhood programs and services.
4343
4444 (2) In developing such plan, the planning director shall (A) consider opportunities for consolidation between and within agencies to reduce redundancy and to improve the focus on positive outcomes for children and families; (B) seek areas of consolidation between and within agencies; (C) provide for the creation of memoranda of agreement between the coordinated system of early care and education and child development and nonprofit and philanthropic organizations; (D) identify opportunities to align services and meet the holistic needs of children and families; (E) implement an accountability framework to measure program and services outcomes; (F) identify common requirements for funding from various sources and identify waiver provisions related to such requirements that can be used to improve service delivery in the state; (G) identify barriers under state or federal law that inhibit effective consolidation of functions or utilization of interagency agreements; (H) consult with qualified local and regional planning groups; and (I) focus the memoranda of agreement to relevant program areas, such as, maternal and child health, literacy, family support, financial planning and early care and education.
4545
4646 (c) For purposes of the development of the plan for the coordinated system of early care and education and child development, the planning director may enter into memoranda of agreement with and accept donations from nonprofit and philanthropic organizations.
4747
4848 (d) The Departments of Education, Social Services, Public Health, Children and Families and Developmental Services and the Board of Regents for Higher Education shall assist the planning director in the planning and development of the plan for the coordinated system of early care and education and child development.
4949
5050 (e) (1) On and after October 1, 2011, until July 1, 2013, the planning director shall report quarterly to the Early Childhood Education Cabinet. Such report may include, but not be limited to, (A) recommendations regarding the consolidation of agencies to improve coordination within the coordinated system of early care and education and child development, (B) suggestions regarding how federal, state and local resources can be combined to maximize efficiencies in the system and outcomes for children and families, (C) suggestions to improve the manner in which state and local early childhood education initiatives are coordinated so as to provide holistic, affordable, high quality early education for young children, (D) recommendations for improvements to the coordinated system of early care and education and child development, and (E) assurances that the provisions of section 8-210, as amended by this act, are being preserved in the planning and development of the coordinated system of early care and education and child development.
5151
5252 (2) On and after January 1, 2012, until July 1, 2013, the planning director shall semiannually report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations, human services and education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. Such report may include, but not be limited to, (A) recommendations regarding the consolidation of agencies to improve coordination within the coordinated system of early care and education and child development, (B) suggestions regarding how federal, state and local resources can be combined to maximize efficiencies in the system and outcomes for children and families, (C) suggestions to improve the manner in which state and local early childhood education initiatives are coordinated so as to provide holistic, high quality early education for young children, (D) recommendations for improvements to the coordinated system of early care and education and child development, and (E) assurances that the provisions of section 8-210, as amended by this act, are being preserved in the planning and development of the coordinated system of early care and education and child development.
5353
5454 [(3) On or before January 30, 2013, the planning director shall report to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to appropriations, human services and education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. Such report shall include recommendations as to which department shall be the lead agency and where the staff of the coordinated system of early care and education and child development will be located.]
5555
5656 Sec. 5. Subsection (a) of section 10-266p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
5757
5858 (a) The State Board of Education shall administer a priority school district grant program to assist certain school districts to improve student achievement and enhance educational opportunities. The grant program shall include the priority school district portions of the grant programs established pursuant to sections [10-16p,] 10-265f, 10-265m and 10-266t. The grant program and its component parts shall be for school districts in (1) the eight towns in the state with the largest population, based on the most recent federal decennial census, (2) towns which rank for the first fiscal year of each biennium from one to eleven when all towns are ranked in descending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine based on the number of children under the temporary family assistance program, as defined in subdivision (17) of section 10-262f, plus the mastery count of the town, as defined in subdivision (13) of section 10-262f, and (3) towns which rank for the first fiscal year of each biennium one to eleven when all towns are ranked in descending order from one to one hundred sixty-nine based on the ratio of the number of children under the temporary family assistance program as so defined to the resident students of such town, as defined in subdivision (22) of section 10-262f, plus the grant mastery percentage of the town, as defined in subdivision (12) of section 10-262f. The State Board of Education shall utilize the categorical grant program established under this section and sections 10-266q and 10-266r and other educational resources of the state to work cooperatively with such school districts during any school year to improve their educational programs or [to provide early childhood education or] early reading intervention programs. The component parts of the grant shall be allocated according to the provisions of sections [10-16p,] 10-265f, 10-265m and 10-266t. Subject to the provisions of subsection (c) of section 10-276a, the State Board of Education shall allocate one million dollars to each of the eight towns described in subdivision (1) of this subsection and five hundred thousand dollars to each of the towns described in subdivisions (2) and (3) of this subsection, except the towns described in subdivision (1) of this subsection shall not receive any additional allocation if they are also described in subdivision (2) or (3) of this subsection.
5959
6060 Sec. 6. Section 10-16n of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
6161
6262 (a) The [Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, shall establish a competitive grant program to assist nonprofit agencies and local and regional boards of education, which are federal Head Start grantees, in (1) establishing extended-day and full-day, year-round, Head Start programs or expanding existing Head Start programs to extended-day or full-day, year-round programs, (2) enhancing program quality, and (3) increasing the number of children served. The [commissioner] executive director, after consultation with the committee established pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, shall establish criteria for the grants, provided at least twenty-five per cent of the funding for such grants shall be for the purpose of enhancing program quality. Nonprofit agencies or boards of education seeking grants pursuant to this section shall make application to the [Commissioner of Education] executive director on such forms and at such times as the [commissioner] executive director shall prescribe. All grants pursuant to this section shall be funded within the limits of available appropriations or otherwise from federal funds and private donations. All full-day, year-round Head Start programs funded pursuant to this section shall be in compliance with federal Head Start performance standards.
6363
6464 (b) The [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood shall annually allocate to each town in which the number of children under the [aid to dependent children] temporary family assistance program, as defined in subdivision [(14)] (17) of section 10-262f, equals or exceeds nine hundred children, determined for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1996, an amount equal to one hundred fifty thousand dollars plus eight and one-half dollars for each child under the [aid to dependent children] temporary family assistance program, provided such amount may be reduced proportionately so that the total amount awarded pursuant to this subsection does not exceed two million seven hundred thousand dollars. The [department] office shall award grants to the local and regional boards of education for such towns and nonprofit agencies located in such towns which meet the criteria established pursuant to subsection (a) of this section to maintain the programs established or expanded with funds provided pursuant to this subsection in the fiscal years ending June 30, 1996, and June 30, 1997. Any funds remaining in the allocation to such a town after grants are so awarded shall be used to increase allocations to other such towns. Any funds remaining after grants are so awarded to boards of education and nonprofit agencies in all such towns shall be available to local and regional boards of education and nonprofit agencies in other towns in the state for grants for such purposes.
6565
6666 (c) There is established a committee to advise the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood concerning the coordination, priorities for allocation and distribution, and utilization of funds for Head Start and concerning the competitive grant program established under this section, and to evaluate programs funded pursuant to this section. The committee shall consist of the following members: (1) One member designated by the Commissioner of Social Services; (2) six members who are directors of Head Start programs, two from community action agency program sites or school readiness liaisons, one of whom shall be appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate and one by the speaker of the House of Representatives, two from public school program sites, one of whom shall be appointed by the majority leader of the Senate and one by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, and two from other nonprofit agency program sites, one of whom shall be appointed by the minority leader of the Senate and one by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; (3) one member designated by the Commission on Children; (4) one member designated by the Early Childhood Education Cabinet; (5) two members designated by the Head Start Association, one of whom shall be the parent of a present or former Head Start student; (6) one member designated by the Connecticut Association for Community Action who shall have expertise and experience concerning Head Start; (7) one member designated by the Region I Office of Head Start within the federal Administration of Children and Families of the Department of Health and Human Services; and (8) the director of the Head Start Collaboration Office.
6767
6868 (d) The [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, for purposes of this section.
6969
7070 Sec. 7. Section 10-16p of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
7171
7272 (a) As used in sections 10-16o to 10-16s, inclusive, as amended by this act, 10-16u, as amended by this act, 17b-749a, as amended by this act, and 17b-749c, as amended by this act:
7373
7474 (1) "School readiness program" means a nonsectarian program that (A) meets the standards set by the [department] Office of Early Childhood pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and the requirements of section 10-16q, as amended by this act, and (B) provides a developmentally appropriate learning experience of not less than four hundred fifty hours and one hundred eighty days for eligible children, except as provided in subsection (d) of section 10-16q, as amended by this act;
7575
7676 (2) "Eligible children" means children three and four years of age and children five years of age who are not eligible to enroll in school pursuant to section 10-15c, or who are eligible to enroll in school and will attend a school readiness program pursuant to section 10-16t;
7777
7878 (3) "Priority school" means a school in which forty per cent or more of the lunches served are served to students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations, excluding such a school located in a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p, as amended by this act, or in a former priority school district receiving a grant pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and, on and after July 1, 2001, excluding such a school in a transitional school district receiving a grant pursuant to section 10-16u, as amended by this act;
7979
8080 (4) "Severe need school" means a school in a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p, as amended by this act, or in a former priority school district in which forty per cent or more of the lunches served are served to students who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches;
8181
8282 (5) "Accredited" means accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young Children, a Head Start on-site program review instrument or a successor instrument pursuant to federal regulations, or otherwise meeting such criteria as may be established by the [commissioner] executive director, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services, unless the context otherwise requires;
8383
8484 (6) "Year-round" means fifty weeks per year, except as provided in subsection (d) of section 10-16q, as amended by this act;
8585
8686 [(7) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Education; and
8787
8888 (8) "Department" means the Department of Education.]
8989
9090 (7) "Executive director" means the executive director of the Office of Early Childhood; and
9191
9292 (8) "Office" means the Office of Early Childhood.
9393
9494 (b) (1) The [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood shall be the lead agency for school readiness. For purposes of this section and section 10-16u, as amended by this act, school readiness program providers eligible for funding from the [Department of Education] office shall include local and regional boards of education, regional educational service centers, family resource centers and providers of child day care centers, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, Head Start programs, preschool programs and other programs that meet such standards established by the [Commissioner of Education] executive director. The [department] office shall establish standards for school readiness programs. The standards may include, but need not be limited to, guidelines for staff-child interactions, curriculum content, including preliteracy development, lesson plans, parent involvement, staff qualifications and training, transition to school and administration. The [department] office shall develop age-appropriate developmental skills and goals for children attending such programs. [The commissioner, in consultation with the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, the Commissioner of Social Services and other appropriate entities, shall develop a professional development program for the staff of school readiness programs.]
9595
9696 (2) For purposes of this section:
9797
9898 (A) Prior to July 1, 2015, "staff qualifications" means there is in each classroom an individual who has at least the following: (i) A childhood development associate credential or an equivalent credential issued by an organization approved by the Commissioner of Education and twelve credits or more in early childhood education or child development, as determined by the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, after consultation with the [Commissioners of Education and Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, from an institution of higher education (1) accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or State Board of Education, and (2) regionally accredited; (ii) an associate's degree with twelve credits or more in early childhood education or child development, as determined by the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, after consultation with the [Commissioners of Education and Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, from such an institution; (iii) a four-year degree with twelve credits or more in early childhood education or child development, as determined by the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, after consultation with the [Commissioners of Education and Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, from such an institution; or (iv) certification pursuant to section 10-145b with an endorsement in early childhood education or special education;
9999
100100 (B) From July 1, 2015, to June 30, 2020, "staff qualifications" means that for each early childhood education program accepting state funds for infant, toddler and preschool spaces associated with such program's child day care program or school readiness program, (i) at least fifty per cent of those individuals with the primary responsibility for a classroom of children hold (I) certification pursuant to section 10-145b with an endorsement in early childhood education or early childhood special education, or (II) a bachelor's degree with a concentration in early childhood education, including, but not limited to, a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child study, child development or human growth and development, from an institution of higher education (1) accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or State Board of Education, and (2) regionally accredited, provided such bachelor's degree program is approved by the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Department of Education, and (ii) such remaining individuals with the primary responsibility for a classroom of children hold an associate degree with a concentration in early childhood education, including, but not limited to, an associate's degree in early childhood education, child study, child development or human growth and development, from an institution of higher education (1) accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or State Board of Education, and (2) regionally accredited, provided such associate degree program is approved by the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Department of Education; and
101101
102102 (C) On and after July 1, 2020, "staff qualifications" means that for each early childhood education program accepting state funds for infant, toddler and preschool spaces associated with such program's child day care program or school readiness program, one hundred per cent of those individuals with the primary responsibility for a classroom of children hold (i) certification pursuant to section 10-145b with an endorsement in early childhood education or early childhood special education, or (ii) a bachelor's degree with a concentration in early childhood education, including, but not limited to, a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child study, child development or human growth and development, from an institution of higher education (1) accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or State Board of Education, and (2) regionally accredited, provided such bachelor's degree program is approved by the Board of Regents for Higher Education and the Department of Education.
103103
104104 (3) Any individual with a bachelor's degree who, on or before June 30, 2015, is employed as a teacher by an early childhood education program that accepts state funds for infant, toddler and preschool spaces associated with such program's child day care program or school readiness program and meets the staff qualifications required under subparagraph (A) of subdivision (2) of this subsection shall be considered to meet the staff qualifications required under subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subdivision (2) of this subsection. No such early childhood education program shall terminate any such individual from employment for purposes of meeting the staff qualification requirements set forth in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subdivision (2) of this subsection. Any such individual who terminates his or her employment with such early childhood education program and accepts a teacher position at another early childhood education program accepting state funds for spaces associated with such program's child day care program or school readiness program shall submit documentation of such individual's progress toward meeting the staff qualification requirements set forth in subparagraph (B) or (C) of subdivision (2) of this subsection in a manner determined by the [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood.
105105
106106 (4) Any individual with a bachelor's degree other than those bachelor's degrees specified in subparagraphs (A) and (B) of subdivision (2) of this subsection may submit documentation concerning such degree for review and assessment by the [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood as to whether such degree has a sufficient concentration in early childhood education so as to satisfy the requirements set forth in said subparagraphs (A) and (B).
107107
108108 (c) The [Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services,] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall establish a grant program to provide spaces in accredited school readiness programs for eligible children who reside in priority school districts pursuant to section 10-266p, as amended by this act, or in former priority school districts as provided in this subsection. Under the program, the grant shall be provided, in accordance with this section, to the town in which such priority school district or former priority school district is located. Eligibility shall be determined for a five-year period based on an applicant's designation as a priority school district for the initial year of application, except that if a school district that receives a grant pursuant to this subsection is no longer designated as a priority school district at the end of such five-year period, such former priority school district shall continue to be eligible to receive a grant pursuant to this subsection. Grant awards shall be made annually contingent upon available funding and a satisfactory annual evaluation. The chief elected official of such town and the superintendent of schools for such priority school district or former priority school district shall submit a plan for the expenditure of grant funds and responses to the local request for proposal process to the [Departments of Education and Social Services. The departments shall jointly review such plans and shall each approve the portion of such plan within its jurisdiction for funding] executive director. The executive director shall review and approve such plans. The plan shall: (1) Be developed in consultation with the local or regional school readiness council established pursuant to section 10-16r, as amended by this act; (2) be based on a needs and resource assessment; (3) provide for the issuance of requests for proposals for providers of accredited school readiness programs, provided, after the initial requests for proposals, facilities that have been approved to operate a child care program financed through the Connecticut Health and Education Facilities Authority and have received a commitment for debt service from the Department of Social Services, pursuant to section 17b-749i, as amended by this act, on or before June 30, 2014, and on and after July 1, 2014, from the Office of Early Childhood, are exempt from the requirement for issuance of annual requests for proposals; and (4) identify the need for funding pursuant to section 17b-749a, as amended by this act, in order to extend the hours and days of operation of school readiness programs in order to provide child day care services for children attending such programs.
109109
110110 (d) [(1) The Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services,] The executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall establish a competitive grant program [to provide spaces in accredited school readiness programs] for eligible children who reside [(A)] (1) in an area served by a priority school or a former priority school, [as provided for in subdivision (2) of this subsection, (B)] (2) in a town ranked one to fifty when all towns are ranked in ascending order according to town wealth, as defined in subdivision (26) of section 10-262f, whose school district is not a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p, as amended by this act, or [(C)] (3) in a town formerly a town described in [subparagraph (B)] subdivision (2) of this [subdivision, as provided for in subdivision (2) of this] subsection. A town or regional school readiness council awarded a grant pursuant to this subsection shall use the funds to (A) purchase spaces for such children from providers of accredited school readiness programs, or (B) provide wraparound services to such children and their families. A town in which a priority school is located, a regional school readiness council, pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-16r, for a region in which such a school is located or a town described in [subparagraph (B)] subdivision (2) of this [subdivision] subsection may apply for such a grant in an amount not to exceed one hundred seven thousand dollars per priority school or town. Eligibility shall be determined for a five-year period based on an applicant's designation as having a priority school or being a town described in [subparagraph (B)] subdivision (2) of this [subdivision] subsection for the initial year of application. Grant awards shall be made annually contingent upon available funding and a satisfactory annual evaluation. The chief elected official of such town and the superintendent of schools of the school district or the regional school readiness council shall submit a plan, as described in subsection (c) of this section, for the expenditure of such grant funds to the [Department of Education] executive director. In awarding grants pursuant to this subsection, the [commissioner] executive director shall give preference to applications submitted by regional school readiness councils and may, within available appropriations, provide a grant in excess of one hundred seven thousand dollars to towns with two or more priority schools in such district. [A town or regional school readiness council awarded a grant pursuant to this subsection shall use the funds to purchase spaces for such children from providers of accredited school readiness programs.]
111111
112112 [(2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, if a town received a grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection and is no longer eligible to receive such a grant, the town may receive a phase-out grant for each of the three fiscal years following the fiscal year such town received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.
113113
114114 (B) The amount of such phase-out grants shall be determined as follows: (i) For the first fiscal year following the fiscal year such town received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in an amount that does not exceed seventy-five per cent of the grant amount such town received for the town or school's final year of eligibility pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection; (ii) for the second fiscal year following the fiscal year such town received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in an amount that does not exceed fifty per cent of the grant amount such town received for the town's or school's final year of eligibility pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection; and (iii) for the third fiscal year following the fiscal year such town received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in an amount that does not exceed twenty-five per cent of the grant amount such town received for the town's or school's final year of eligibility pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection.
115115
116116 (C) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, and each fiscal year thereafter, any town that received a grant pursuant to subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2010, shall continue to receive a grant under this subsection even if the town no longer meets the criteria for such grant pursuant to subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection.]
117117
118118 (e) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2009, and each fiscal year thereafter, priority school districts and former priority school districts shall receive grants based on the sum of the products obtained by (A) multiplying the district's number of contracted slots on March thirtieth of the fiscal year prior to the fiscal year in which the grant is to be paid, by the per child cost pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 10-16q, as amended by this act, except that such per child cost shall be reduced for slots that are less than year-round, and (B) multiplying the number of additional or decreased slots the districts have requested for the fiscal year in which the grant is to be paid by the per child cost pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of section 10-16q, as amended by this act, except such per child cost shall be reduced for slots that are less than year-round. If said sum exceeds the available appropriation, such number of requested additional slots shall be reduced, as determined by the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, to stay within the available appropriation.
119119
120120 (2) (A) If funds appropriated for the purposes of subsection (c) of this section are not expended, the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may deposit such unexpended funds in the account established under section 10-16aa, as amended by this act, and use such unexpended funds in accordance with the provisions of section 10-16aa, as amended by this act.
121121
122122 (B) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2012, and each fiscal year thereafter, if funds appropriated for the purposes of subsection (c) of this section are not expended, an amount up to five hundred thousand dollars of such unexpended funds may be available for the provision of professional development for early childhood education program providers offered by a professional development and program improvement system within the Connecticut State University System and available for use in accordance with the provisions of this subparagraph for the subsequent fiscal year. The [Commissioner of Education] executive director may use such unexpended funds on and after July 1, 2012, [in consultation with the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education,] to support early childhood education programs accepting state funds in satisfying the staff qualifications requirements of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section. The [Department of Education] executive director shall use any such funds to provide assistance to individual staff members, giving priority to those staff members attending an institution of higher education (1) accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or State Board of Education, and (2) regionally accredited, at a maximum of five thousand dollars per staff member per year for the cost of higher education courses leading to a bachelor's degree or, not later than December 31, 2013, an associate's degree, as such degrees are described in said subparagraphs (B) and (C) at an in-state public institution of higher education or a Connecticut-based for-profit or nonprofit institution of higher education, provided such staff members have applied for all available federal and state scholarships and grants, and such assistance does not exceed such staff members' financial need. Individual staff members shall apply for such unexpended funds in a manner determined by the [Department of Education] executive director. The [Commissioner of Education] executive director shall determine [, in consultation with the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education,] how such unexpended funds shall be distributed.
123123
124124 (C) If funds appropriated for the purposes of subsection (c) of this section are not expended pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, deposited pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, or used pursuant to subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, the [Commissioner of Education] executive director may use such unexpended funds to support local school readiness programs. The [commissioner] executive director may use such funds for purposes including, but not limited to, (i) assisting local school readiness programs in meeting and maintaining accreditation requirements, (ii) providing training in implementing the preschool assessment and curriculum frameworks, including training to enhance literacy teaching skills, (iii) developing a state-wide preschool curriculum, (iv) developing student assessments for students in grades kindergarten to two, inclusive, (v) developing and implementing best practices for parents in supporting preschool and kindergarten student learning, (vi) developing and implementing strategies for children to transition from preschool to kindergarten, (vii) providing for professional development, including assisting in career ladder advancement, for school readiness staff, and (viii) providing supplemental grants to other towns that are eligible for grants pursuant to subsection (c) of this section.
125125
126126 [(3) Notwithstanding subdivision (2) of this subsection, for the fiscal years ending June 30, 2008, to June 30, 2013, inclusive, the Department of Education may retain up to one hundred ninety-eight thousand two hundred dollars of the amount appropriated for purposes of this section for coordination, program evaluation and administration.]
127127
128128 (f) Any school readiness program that receives funds pursuant to this section or section 10-16u, as amended by this act, shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, gender, religion or disability. For purposes of this section, a nonsectarian program means any public or private school readiness program that is not violative of the Establishment Clause of the Constitution of the State of Connecticut or the Establishment Clause of the Constitution of the United States of America.
129129
130130 (g) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, no funds received by a town pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-16u, as amended by this act, shall be used to supplant federal, state or local funding received by such town for early childhood education, provided a town may use an amount determined in accordance with this subsection for coordination, program evaluation and administration. Such amount shall be at least twenty-five thousand dollars but not more than seventy-five thousand dollars and shall be determined by the [Department of Education, in consultation with the Department of Social Services,] executive director based on the school readiness grant award allocated to the town pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-16u, as amended by this act, and the number of operating sites for coordination, program evaluation and administration. Such amount shall be increased by an amount equal to local funding provided for early childhood education coordination, program evaluation and administration, not to exceed twenty-five thousand dollars. Each town that receives a grant pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-16u, as amended by this act, shall designate a person to be responsible for such coordination, program evaluation and administration and to act as a liaison between the town and the [Departments of Education and Social Services] executive director. Each school readiness program that receives funds pursuant to this section or section 10-16u, as amended by this act, shall provide information to the [department] executive director or the school readiness council, as requested, that is necessary for purposes of any school readiness program evaluation.
131131
132132 (h) For the first three years a town receives grants pursuant to this section, such grants may be used, with the approval of the [commissioner] executive director, to prepare a facility or staff for operating a school readiness program and shall be adjusted based on the number of days of operation of a school readiness program if a shorter term of operation is approved by the [commissioner] executive director.
133133
134134 (i) A town may use grant funds to purchase spaces for eligible children who reside in such town at an accredited school readiness program located in another town. A regional school readiness council may use grant funds to purchase spaces for eligible children who reside in the region covered by the council at an accredited school readiness program located outside such region.
135135
136136 (j) Children enrolled in school readiness programs funded pursuant to this section shall not be counted (1) as resident students for purposes of subdivision (22) of section 10-262f, or (2) in the determination of average daily membership pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) of section 10-261.
137137
138138 (k) Up to two per cent of the amount of the appropriation for this section may be allocated to the competitive grant program pursuant to subsection (d) of this section. The determination of the amount of such allocation shall be made on or before August first.
139139
140140 Sec. 8. Section 10-16q of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
141141
142142 (a) Each school readiness program shall include: (1) A plan for collaboration with other community programs and services, including public libraries, and for coordination of resources in order to facilitate full-day and year-round child care and education programs for children of working parents and parents in education or training programs; (2) parent involvement, parenting education and outreach; (3) (A) record-keeping policies that require documentation of the name and address of each child's doctor, primary care provider and health insurance company and information on whether the child is immunized and has had health screens pursuant to the federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment Services Program under 42 USC 1396d, and (B) referrals for health services, including referrals for appropriate immunizations and screenings; (4) a plan for the incorporation of appropriate preliteracy practices and teacher training in such practices; (5) nutrition services; (6) referrals to family literacy programs that incorporate adult basic education and provide for the promotion of literacy through access to public library services; (7) admission policies that promote enrollment of children from different racial, ethnic and economic backgrounds and from other communities; (8) a plan of transition for participating children from the school readiness program to kindergarten and provide for the transfer of records from the program to the kindergarten program; (9) a plan for professional development for staff, including, but not limited to, training (A) in preliteracy skills development, and (B) designed to assure respect for racial and ethnic diversity; (10) a sliding fee scale for families participating in the program pursuant to section 17b-749d, as amended by this act; and (11) an annual evaluation of the effectiveness of the program. [On and after July 1, 2000, school readiness programs shall use the assessment measures developed pursuant to section 10-16s in conducting their annual evaluations.]
143143
144144 [(b) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2006, the per child cost of the Department of Education school readiness component of the program offered by a school readiness provider shall not exceed six thousand six hundred fifty dollars.]
145145
146146 [(2)] (b) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2009] 2014, and each fiscal year thereafter, the per child cost of the [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood school readiness program offered by a school readiness provider shall not exceed eight thousand three hundred forty-six dollars.
147147
148148 [(3)] (2) Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection (e) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act, the [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood shall not provide funding to any school readiness provider that (A) on or before January 1, 2004, first entered into a contract with a town to provide school readiness services pursuant to this section and is not accredited on January 1, 2007, or (B) after January 1, 2004, first entered into a contract with a town to provide school readiness services pursuant to this section and does not become accredited by the date three years after the date on which the provider first entered into such a contract, except that the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may grant an extension of time for a school readiness program to become accredited or reaccredited, provided (i) prior to such extension, the [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood conducts an on-site assessment of any such program and maintains a report of such assessment completed in a uniform manner, as prescribed by the [commissioner] executive director, that includes a list of conditions such program must fulfill to become accredited or reaccredited, (ii) on or before June 30, 2014, the program is licensed by the Department of Public Health if required to be licensed by chapter 368a, and on and after July 1, 2014, the program is licensed by the Office of Early Childhood if required to be licensed by chapter 368a, (iii) the program has a corrective action plan that shall be prescribed by and monitored by the [Commissioner of Education] Office of Early Childhood, and (iv) the program meets such other conditions as may be prescribed by the [commissioner] executive director. During the period of such extension, such program shall be eligible for funding pursuant to said section 10-16p.
149149
150150 [(4)] (3) A school readiness provider may provide child day care services and the cost of such child day care services shall not be subject to such per child cost limitation.
151151
152152 (c) A local or regional board of education may implement a sliding fee scale for the cost of services provided to children enrolled in a school readiness program.
153153
154154 (d) A town or school readiness council may file a waiver application to the [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood on forms provided by the [department] office for the purpose of seeking approval of a school readiness schedule that varies from the minimum hours and number of days provided for in subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act, or from the definition of a year-round program pursuant to subdivision [(7) of said] (6) of subsection (a) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act. The [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood may [, in consultation with the Department of Social Services,] approve any such waiver if the [departments find] office finds that the proposed schedule meets the purposes set forth in the provisions of section 10-16o concerning the development of school readiness programs and maximizes available dollars to serve more children or address community needs.
155155
156156 Sec. 9. Subsection (b) of section 10-16r of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
157157
158158 (b) The local school readiness council shall: (1) Make recommendations to the chief elected official and the superintendent of schools on issues relating to school readiness, including any applications for grants pursuant to sections 10-16p, as amended by this act, 10-16u, as amended by this act, 17b-749a, as amended by this act, and 17b-749c, as amended by this act; (2) foster partnerships among providers of school readiness programs; (3) assist in the identification of (A) the need for school readiness programs and the number of children not being served by such a program, and (B) for priority school districts pursuant to section 10-266p, as amended by this act, the number of children not being served by such a program and the estimated operating cost of providing universal school readiness to eligible children in such districts who are not being served; (4) submit biennial reports to the [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood on the number and location of school readiness spaces and estimates of future needs; (5) submit biennial reports on factors identified pursuant to subdivision (3) of this subsection; (6) cooperate with the [department] office in any program evaluation [and, on and after July 1, 2000, use measures developed pursuant to section 10-16s] for purposes of evaluating the effectiveness of school readiness programs; (7) identify existing and prospective resources and services available to children and families; (8) facilitate the coordination of the delivery of services to children and families, including (A) referral procedures, and (B) before and after-school child care for children attending kindergarten programs; (9) exchange information with other councils, the community and organizations serving the needs of children and families; (10) make recommendations to school officials concerning transition from school readiness programs to kindergarten; and (11) encourage public participation.
159159
160160 Sec. 10. Section 10-16s of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
161161
162162 [(a)] The executive director of the Office of Early Childhood and the Commissioners of Education, [and] Children and Families, Developmental Services, Social Services and Public Health shall develop an agreement to define the duties and responsibilities of their departments concerning [school readiness programs] implementation of the coordinated system of early care and education and child development, pursuant to section 10-16bb, as amended by this act. The executive director and commissioners shall consult with other affected state agencies. [The agreement shall include, but not be limited to, a multiyear interagency agreement to establish and implement an integrated school readiness plan. Functions to be described and responsibilities to be undertaken by the two departments shall be delineated in the agreement. On or before January 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, the Commissioners of Education and Social Services shall submit such agreement, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the Early Childhood Education Cabinet, established pursuant to section 10-16z, and to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and human services.]
163163
164164 [(b) On or before January 1, 2008, the commissioners shall adopt assessment measures of school readiness programs for use by such programs in conducting their annual evaluations pursuant to section 10-16q. The commissioners may adopt the assessment measures used for Head Start programs.]
165165
166166 Sec. 11. Section 10-16u of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
167167
168168 For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2002] 2014, and each fiscal year thereafter, the [Commissioner of Education, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services,] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall provide grants, within available appropriations, to eligible school readiness program providers pursuant to subsection (b) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act, to provide spaces in accredited school readiness programs for eligible children who reside in transitional school districts pursuant to section 10-263c, except for transitional school districts eligible for grants pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act. Under the program, the grant shall be provided to the town in which such transitional school district is located. Eligibility shall be determined for a five-year period based on a school district's designation as a transitional school district in the initial year of application, except that grants pursuant to this section shall not be provided for transitional school districts eligible for grants pursuant to subsection (c) of said section 10-16p. Grant awards shall be made annually contingent upon available funding and a satisfactory annual evaluation. The chief elected official of such town and the superintendent of schools for such transitional school district shall submit a plan for the expenditure of grant funds and responses to the local request for proposal process to the [Departments of Education and Social Services. The departments shall jointly review such plans and shall each approve the portion of such plan within its jurisdiction for funding. The plan shall] executive director. The executive director shall review and approve such plans, provided such plans meet the requirements specified in subsection (c) of said section 10-16p.
169169
170170 Sec. 12. Section 10-16w of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
171171
172172 [Within available appropriations, the Commissioner of Education] The executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall provide, within available appropriations, technical assistance and training to school readiness programs to assist in the application of preschool curriculum guidelines adopted by the State Board of Education.
173173
174174 Sec. 13. Section 10-16z of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
175175
176176 (a) There is established the Early Childhood Education Cabinet. The cabinet shall consist of: (1) The executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, or the executive director's designee, (2) the Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee, [(2) one representative from the Department of Education who is responsible for programs required under the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act, 20 USC 1400 et seq., as amended from time to time, appointed by the Commissioner of Education,] (3) the Commissioner of Social Services, or the commissioner's designee, (4) [a representative from an institution of higher education in this state appointed by] the president of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, or the president's designee, (5) the Commissioner of Public Health, or the commissioner's designee, (6) the Commissioner of Developmental Services, or the commissioner's designee, (7) the Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee, (8) the executive director of the Commission on Children, or the executive director's designee, (9) the project director of the Connecticut Head Start State Collaboration Office, (10) a parent or guardian of a child who attends or attended a school readiness program appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives, (11) a representative of a local provider of early childhood education appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, (12) a representative of the Connecticut Family Resource Center Alliance appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives, (13) a representative of a state funded child care center appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, (14) two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, one of whom is a member of [the House of Representatives] a board of education for a town designated as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u, and one of whom is a parent who has a child attending a school in [a priority school] an educational reform district, as defined in section 10-262u, (15) two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of whom is [a member of the Senate] an instructor of a preschool program and one of whom is a representative of a public elementary school with a prekindergarten program, (16) two appointed by the Governor, one of whom is a representative of the Connecticut Head Start Association and one of whom is a representative of the business or philanthropic community in this state, and (17) the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management, or the secretary's designee. [The chairperson of the council shall be appointed from among its members by the Governor.]
177177
178178 (b) The executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall serve as the cochairperson of the cabinet. The other cochairperson of the cabinet shall be appointed from among its members by the Governor. The cabinet shall meet at least quarterly. Members shall not be compensated for their services. Any member who fails to attend three consecutive meetings or who fails to attend fifty per cent of all meetings held during any calendar year shall be deemed to have resigned from the cabinet.
179179
180180 [(b)] (c) Within available appropriations and such private funding as may be available, the Early Childhood Education Cabinet shall (1) [coordinate among state agencies, as well as public and private partnerships, the development of services that enhance the health, safety and learning of children from birth to nine years of age, inclusive] assist the Office of Early Childhood in the administration of the coordinated system of early care and education and child development, pursuant to section 10-16bb, as amended by this act, (2) not later than December 1, 2009, and annually thereafter, develop an annual plan of action that assigns the appropriate state agency to complete the tasks specified in the federal Head Start Act of 2007, P.L. 110-134, as amended from time to time, and (3) not later than March 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, submit an annual state-wide strategic report, pursuant to said federal Head Start Act, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, addressing the progress such agencies have made toward the completion of such tasks outlined under said federal Head Start Act and this subsection to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and human services.
181181
182182 [(c)] (d) The Early Childhood Education Cabinet shall be within the [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood for administrative purposes only.
183183
184184 Sec. 14. Section 10-16aa of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
185185
186186 There is established an account to be known as the competitive district grant account which shall be a separate, nonlapsing account within the General Fund. The account shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the account. Moneys in the account shall be expended by the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood for the purposes of providing grants to competitive school districts to (1) make slots available in preschool school readiness programs, and (2) provide wraparound services to children and their families. For purposes of this section, "competitive school district" means a school district described in subdivision (1) of subsection (d) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act, that has more than nine thousand students enrolled in schools in the district.
187187
188188 Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2013) The Office of Early Childhood is designated as the state agency for the administration of the child care development block grant pursuant to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990.
189189
190190 Sec. 16. Section 17b-2 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
191191
192192 The Department of Social Services is designated as the state agency for the administration of (1) [the child care development block grant pursuant to the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act of 1990; (2)] the Connecticut energy assistance program pursuant to the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Act of 1981; [(3)] (2) programs for the elderly pursuant to the Older Americans Act; [(4)] (3) the state plan for vocational rehabilitation services for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1994; [(5)] (4) the refugee assistance program pursuant to the Refugee Act of 1980; [(6)] (5) the legalization impact assistance grant program pursuant to the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; [(7)] (6) the temporary assistance for needy families program pursuant to the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996; [(8)] (7) the Medicaid program pursuant to Title XIX of the Social Security Act; [(9)] (8) the supplemental nutrition assistance program pursuant to the Food and Nutrition Act of 2008; [(10)] (9) the state supplement to the Supplemental Security Income Program pursuant to the Social Security Act; [(11)] (10) the state child support enforcement plan pursuant to Title IV-D of the Social Security Act; and [(12)] (11) the state social services plan for the implementation of the social services block grants and community services block grants pursuant to the Social Security Act. The Department of Social Services is designated a public housing agency for the purpose of administering the Section 8 existing certificate program and the housing voucher program pursuant to the Housing Act of 1937.
193193
194194 Sec. 17. Subsections (c) to (e), inclusive, of section 17b-705a of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
195195
196196 (c) On or after July 1, [2012] 2013, and monthly thereafter, the [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall compile a list of the names of family child care providers who have participated in the child care subsidy program established pursuant to section 17b-749, as amended by this act, within the previous six calendar months. Such list shall be considered a public record, as defined in section 1-200.
197197
198198 (d) For purposes of sections 4-65a and 5-270 and subsection (a) of section 5-278, the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood shall be considered an executive branch employer and an organization representing family child care providers that has been designated by the State Board of Labor Relations, pursuant to section 5-275 or subsection (g) of this section, as the exclusive bargaining agent of such providers, shall have the right to bargain with the state concerning the terms and conditions of participation of family child care providers in the program covered by this section, including, but not limited to, (1) state reimbursement rates, (2) benefits, (3) payment procedures, (4) contract grievance arbitration, and (5) training, professional development and other requirements and opportunities appropriate for family child care providers.
199199
200200 (e) (1) If the organization representing family child care providers and the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood do not reach an agreement not later than one hundred fifty days after negotiations have begun, the parties shall jointly select an arbitrator. The arbitrator selected shall have experience as an impartial arbitrator of labor-management disputes, and shall not be an individual employed as an advocate or consultant for labor or management in labor-management disputes. If the parties fail to agree on an arbitrator not later than one hundred sixty days after negotiations have begun, the selection of the arbitrator shall be made using the procedures under the voluntary labor arbitration rules of the American Arbitration Association.
201201
202202 (2) Each party shall submit to the arbitrator, and to each other, a proposal setting forth such party's position on how each of the unresolved issues shall be resolved.
203203
204204 (3) The arbitrator shall convene a hearing to allow the parties to provide evidence and argument to the arbitrator. The parties shall have the right to submit written briefs to the arbitrator. The arbitration record shall be officially closed at the close of the hearing, or the arbitrator's receipt of briefs, whichever is later.
205205
206206 (4) The arbitrator's authority is limited to selecting the complete proposal of one party or the other on any unresolved issue. The arbitrator shall issue an award not later than forty-five days after the close of the record.
207207
208208 (5) The factors to be considered by the arbitrator in arriving at a decision are: (A) The nature and needs of the family child care program and the needs and welfare of parents and children served by that program, including interests in better recruitment, retention and quality with respect to the covered family child care provider; (B) the history of negotiations between the parties including those leading to the instant proceeding; (C) the existing conditions of employment of similar groups of workers; (D) changes in the cost of living; and (E) the interests and welfare of the covered family child care providers.
209209
210210 (6) The costs of the arbitrator and any fees associated with the arbitration proceeding shall be shared equally by the parties.
211211
212212 (7) Any agreement or award reached pursuant to this section shall be submitted to the General Assembly for approval by filing the agreement or award with the clerks of the House and Senate. No provision of any agreement or award resulting from the collective bargaining process which would require supercedence of any law or regulation shall take effect without affirmative legislative approval.
213213
214214 (8) Notwithstanding any other provision of this section, any provision in any agreement or award which would require an additional appropriation in order to maintain the levels of services provided by existing appropriations shall be presented to the General Assembly for approval in accordance with the budgetary process applicable to appropriations, including, but not limited to, affirmative legislative approval. Other provisions of the agreement or award shall be deemed approved unless affirmatively rejected by a majority of either house not later than thirty days after the filing with the clerk of that chamber, provided the thirty-day period shall not begin or expire unless the General Assembly is in regular session. Once approved by the General Assembly, any provision of an agreement or award need not be resubmitted by the parties to such agreement or award as part of a future agreement approval process unless changes in the language of such provision are negotiated by the parties.
215215
216216 Sec. 18. Section 17b-12 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
217217
218218 The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may accept and receive, on behalf of the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood or on behalf of the Children's Trust Fund established pursuant to section 17b-751, as amended by this act, any bequest or gift of personal property for services for a person who is, or members of whose immediate family are, receiving assistance or services from the [Department of Social Services, or both,] Office of Early Childhood or for services for a former recipient of assistance from the Department of Social Services or a potential recipient of assistance from the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood or for programs or services described in section 17b-751, as amended by this act. Any federal funds generated by virtue of any such bequest or gift may be used for the extension of services to such person or family members.
219219
220220 Sec. 19. Section 17b-730 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
221221
222222 (a) The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood is authorized to take advantage of any federal statutes and regulations relating to child day care and shall have the power to administer any federally-assisted child day care program in the event that said federal statutes or regulations require that said federally-assisted program be administered by a single state agency.
223223
224224 (b) The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood is authorized to take advantage of Title V of Public Law 88-452, entitled "Economic Opportunity Act of 1964", with respect to providing work training, aid and assistance to persons eligible for state-administered general assistance or public assistance, and to administer the same in such manner as is required for the receipt of federal funds therefor.
225225
226226 Sec. 20. Section 17b-733 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
227227
228228 The [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood shall be the lead agency for child day care services in Connecticut. The [department] office shall: (1) Identify, annually, existing child day care services and maintain an inventory of all available services; (2) provide technical assistance to corporations and private agencies in the development and expansion of child day care services for families at all income levels, including families of their employees and clients; (3) study and identify funding sources available for child day care including federal funds and tax benefits; (4) study the cost and availability of liability insurance for child day care providers; (5) provide, in conjunction with the Departments of Education and Higher Education, ongoing training for child day care providers including preparing videotaped workshops and distributing them to cable stations for broadcast on public access stations, and seek private donations to fund such training; (6) encourage child day care services to obtain accreditation; (7) develop a range of financing options for child care services, including the use of a tax-exempt bond program, a loan guarantee program and establishing a direct revolving loan program; (8) promote the colocation of child day care and school readiness programs pursuant to section 4b-31; (9) establish a performance-based evaluation system; (10) develop for recommendation to the Governor and the General Assembly measures to provide incentives for the private sector to develop and support expanded child day care services; (11) provide, within available funds and in conjunction with the temporary family assistance program as defined in section 17b-680, child day care to public assistance recipients; (12) develop and implement, with the assistance of the [Child Day Care Council] Early Childhood Education Cabinet and the Departments of [Public Health,] Social Services, Education, Higher Education, Children and Families, Economic and Community Development and Consumer Protection, a state-wide coordinated child day care and early childhood education training system (A) for child day care centers, group day care homes and family day care homes that provide child day care services, and (B) that makes available to such providers and their staff, within available appropriations, scholarship assistance, career counseling and training, advancement in career ladders, as defined in section 4-124bb, through seamless articulation of levels of training, program accreditation support and other initiatives recommended by the Departments of Social Services, Education and Higher Education; (13) plan and implement a unit cost reimbursement system for state-funded child day care services such that, on and after January 1, 2008, any increase in reimbursement shall be based on a requirement that such centers meet the staff qualifications, as defined in subsection (b) of section 10-16p, as amended by this act; (14) develop, within available funds, initiatives to increase compensation paid to child day care providers for educational opportunities, including, but not limited to, (A) incentives for educational advancement paid to persons employed by child day care centers receiving state or federal funds, and (B) support for the establishment and implementation by the Labor Commissioner of apprenticeship programs for child day care workers pursuant to sections 31-22m to 31-22q, inclusive, which programs shall be jointly administered by labor and management trustees; (15) evaluate the effectiveness of any initiatives developed pursuant to subdivision (14) of this section in improving staff retention rates and the quality of education and care provided to children; and (16) report annually to the Governor and the General Assembly on the status of child day care in Connecticut. Such report shall include (A) an itemization of the allocation of state and federal funds for child care programs; (B) the number of children served under each program so funded; (C) the number and type of such programs, providers and support personnel; (D) state activities to encourage partnership between the public and private sectors; (E) average payments issued by the state for both part-time and full-time child care; (F) range of family income and percentages served within each range by such programs; and (G) age range of children served.
229229
230230 Sec. 21. Section 17b-734 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
231231
232232 The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall establish and administer a program of grants to municipalities and state agencies for the purpose of planning, site preparation, construction, renovation or acquisition of facilities for use as child care facilities to be used primarily by the children of employees of such municipalities or state agencies and other potential participants. If openings occur for other potential participants in such a child care facility, priority for such openings shall be given to families at or below seventy-five per cent of the state's median income.
233233
234234 Sec. 22. Subsection (a) of section 17b-735 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
235235
236236 (a) For the purposes described in section 17b-734, as amended by this act, and for the payment of any administrative expenses of the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood related thereto the State Bond Commission shall have the power, from time to time, to authorize the issuance of bonds of the state in one or more series and principal amounts not exceeding in the aggregate six million twenty-four thousand seven hundred ninety-eight dollars, provided one million dollars of said authorization shall be effective July 1, 2000.
237237
238238 Sec. 23. Section 17b-736 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
239239
240240 The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to carry out the purposes of sections 17b-734 and 17b-735, as amended by this act.
241241
242242 Sec. 24. Section 17b-737 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
243243
244244 The Commissioner of [Social Services] Education shall establish a program, within available appropriations, to provide grants to municipalities, boards of education and child care providers to encourage the use of school facilities for the provision of child day care services before and after school. In order to qualify for a grant, a municipality, board of education or child care provider shall guarantee the availability of a school site which meets the standards set on or before June 30, 2014, by the Department of Public Health and on and after July 1, 2014, by the Department of Education, in regulations adopted under sections 19a-77, as amended by this act, 19a-79, as amended by this act, 19a-80, as amended by this act, and 19a-82 to 19a-87a, inclusive, as amended by this act, and shall agree to provide liability insurance coverage for the program. Grant funds shall be used by the municipality, board of education or child care provider for the maintenance and utility costs directly attributable to the use of the school facility for the day care program, for related transportation costs and for the portion of the municipality, board of education or child care provider liability insurance cost and other operational costs directly attributable to the day care program. The municipality or board of education may contract with a child day care provider for the program. The Commissioner of [Social Services] Education may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, for purposes of this section. The commissioner may utilize available child care subsidies to implement the provisions of this section and encourage association and cooperation with the Head Start program established pursuant to section 10-16n, as amended by this act.
245245
246246 Sec. 25. Section 17b-738 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
247247
248248 The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall establish and administer a program of loans to business firms, as defined in subsection (a) of section 12-631, for the purpose of planning, site preparation, construction, renovation or acquisition of facilities, within the state, for use as licensed child day care centers, family day care homes or group day care homes to be used primarily by the children of employees of such corporations and children of employees of the municipalities in which such facilities are located. Such loans shall be made in accordance with the terms and conditions as provided in regulations adopted by the [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director, in accordance with chapter 54, shall be made for a period not to exceed five years and shall bear interest at a rate to be determined in accordance with subsection (t) of section 3-20.
249249
250250 Sec. 26. Section 17b-739 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
251251
252252 Whenever the state (1) constructs, acquires or receives as a gift any office building which accommodates three hundred or more state employees, or (2) alters, repairs or makes additions to an existing state building which accommodates three hundred or more employees and such alterations, repairs or additions affect at least twenty-five per cent of the square footage of such building, the Department of Construction Services shall notify the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood. The [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood, with the assistance of the Department of Administrative Services, shall determine the need for child care services for the employees in such building and other potential participants. If a demonstrated need for child care exists for thirty or more children of such employees and other potential participants and such care is unavailable, the Department of Construction Services shall set aside adequate space for child care facilities in such building. If openings occur for other potential participants in such a child care facility, priority for such openings shall be given to families at or below seventy-five per cent of the state's median income. Such facilities shall meet all state licensure requirements. The provisions of this section shall not apply to correctional institutions.
253253
254254 Sec. 27. Section 17b-749 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
255255
256256 (a) The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall establish and operate a child care subsidy program to increase the availability, affordability and quality of child care services for families with a parent or caretaker who is working, attending high school or who receives cash assistance under the temporary family assistance program from the Department of Social Services and is participating in an approved education, training, or other job preparation activity. Services available under the child care program shall include the provision of child care subsidies for children under the age of thirteen or children under the age of nineteen with special needs. The [department] office shall open and maintain enrollment for the child care subsidy program and shall administer such program within the existing budgetary resources available. The [department] office shall issue a notice on the [department's] office's Internet web site and shall provide written notice to recipients of program benefits and to service providers any time the [department] office closes the program to new applications, changes eligibility requirements, changes program benefits or makes any other change to the program's status or terms, provided the [department] office shall not be required to issue such notice when the [department] office expands program eligibility. Any change in the [department's] office's acceptance of new applications, eligibility requirements, program benefits or any other change to the program's status or terms for which the [department] office is required to give notice pursuant to this subsection, shall not be effective until thirty days after the [department] office issues such notice.
257257
258258 (b) The [commissioner] executive director shall establish income standards for applicants and recipients at a level to include a family with gross income up to fifty per cent of the state-wide median income, except the [commissioner] executive director (1) may increase the income level to up to seventy-five per cent of the state-wide median income, (2) upon the request of the Commissioner of Children and Families, may waive the income standards for adoptive families so that children adopted on or after October 1, 1999, from the Department of Children and Families are eligible for the child care subsidy program, and (3) on and after March 1, 2003, shall reduce the income eligibility level to up to fifty-five per cent of the state-wide median income for applicants and recipients who qualify based on their loss of eligibility for temporary family assistance. The [commissioner] executive director may adopt regulations in accordance with chapter 54 to establish income criteria and durational requirements for such waiver of income standards.
259259
260260 (c) The [commissioner] executive director, in conjunction with the Commissioner of Social Services, shall establish eligibility and program standards including, but not limited to: (1) A priority intake and eligibility system with preference given to serving recipients of temporary family assistance who are employed or engaged in employment activities under the [department's] Department of Social Services' "Jobs First" program, working families whose temporary family assistance was discontinued not more than five years prior to the date of application for the child care subsidy program, teen parents, low-income working families, adoptive families of children who were adopted from the Department of Children and Families and who are granted a waiver of income standards under subdivision (2) of subsection (b), and working families who are at risk of welfare dependency; (2) health and safety standards for child care providers not required to be licensed; (3) a reimbursement system for child care services which account for differences in the age of the child, number of children in the family, the geographic region and type of care provided by licensed and unlicensed caregivers, the cost and type of services provided by licensed and unlicensed caregivers, successful completion of fifteen hours of annual in-service training or credentialing of child care directors and administrators, and program accreditation; (4) supplemental payment for special needs of the child and extended nontraditional hours; (5) an annual rate review process for providers which assures that reimbursement rates are maintained at levels which permit equal access to a variety of child care settings; (6) a sliding reimbursement scale for participating families; (7) an administrative appeals process; (8) an administrative hearing process to adjudicate cases of alleged fraud and abuse and to impose sanctions and recover overpayments; (9) an extended period of program and payment eligibility when a parent who is receiving a child care subsidy experiences a temporary interruption in employment or other approved activity; and (10) a waiting list for the child care subsidy program that reflects the priority and eligibility system set forth in subdivision (1) of this subsection, which is reviewed periodically, with the inclusion of this information in the annual report required to be issued annually by the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood to the Governor and the General Assembly in accordance with subdivision (10) of section 17b-733, as amended by this act. Such action will include, but not be limited to, family income, age of child, region of state and length of time on such waiting list.
261261
262262 (d) Not later than January 1, 2011, an applicant determined to be eligible for program benefits shall remain eligible for such benefits for a period of not less than eight months from the date that such applicant is determined to be eligible, provided the [commissioner] executive director has not determined, during such eight-month period, that the applicant's circumstances have changed so as to render the applicant ineligible for program benefits. The [commissioner] executive director shall not make an eligibility determination for a recipient of program benefits more than one time per eight-month period, except as provided in subsection (e) of this section.
263263
264264 (e) Not later than October 15, 2011, the [commissioner] executive director shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies concerning eligibility redeterminations made on an eight-month basis. Such report shall include an analysis of overpayments of program benefits made by the [department] office and administrative costs incurred by the [department] office as a result of eligibility redeterminations made on an eight-month basis. On and after October 15, 2011, the [commissioner] executive director may make eligibility redeterminations on a six-month basis if, after January 1, 2011, the [department's] office's overpayments of program benefits have increased in comparison with the period between January 1, 2010, and December 31, 2010, as a result of having an eight-month eligibility redetermination period.
265265
266266 (f) A provider under the child care subsidy program that qualifies for eligibility and subsequently receives payment for child care services for recipients under this section shall be reimbursed for such services until informed by the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood of the recipient's ineligibility.
267267
268268 (g) All licensed child care providers and those providers exempt from licensing shall provide the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood with the following information in order to maintain eligibility for reimbursement: (1) The name, address, appropriate identification, Social Security number and telephone number of the provider and all adults who work for or reside at the location where care is provided; (2) the name and address of the child's doctor, primary care provider and health insurance company; (3) whether the child is immunized and has had health screens pursuant to the federal Early and Periodic Screening, Diagnostic and Treatment Services Program under 42 USC 1396d; and (4) the number of children cared for by the provider.
269269
270270 (h) On or after [January 1, 1998] July 1, 2013, the [commissioner] executive director shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to implement the provisions of this section.
271271
272272 (i) The [commissioner] executive director shall submit to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies a copy of the Child Care and Development Fund Plan that the [commissioner] executive director submits to the Administration for Children and Families pursuant to federal law. The copy of the plan shall be submitted to the committees not later than thirty days after submission of the plan to the Administration for Children and Families.
273273
274274 Sec. 28. Section 17b-749a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
275275
276276 (a) The [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall establish, within available appropriations, a program to (1) purchase directly or provide subsidies to parents to purchase child day care services provided by any elementary or secondary school, nursery school, preschool, day care center, group day care home, family day care home, family resource center, Head Start program, or local or regional board of education, provided, if the [commissioner] executive director purchases such services directly, he shall give preference to purchasing from providers of full-day and year-round programs; and (2) award grants to providers of school readiness programs, as defined in section 10-16p, as amended by this act, to increase the hours of operation of their programs in order to provide child care for children attending such programs. The [commissioner] executive director, for purposes of subdivision (1) of this subsection, may model the program on the program established pursuant to section 17b-749, as amended by this act.
277277
278278 (b) No funds received by a provider pursuant to this section shall be used to supplant federal funding received for early childhood education on behalf of children in an early childhood education program.
279279
280280 (c) The [Commissioner of Education] executive director shall: (1) Coordinate the development of a range of alternative programs to meet the needs of all children; (2) foster partnerships between school districts and private organizations; (3) provide information and assistance to parents in selecting an appropriate school readiness program; and (4) work to ensure, to the extent possible, that school readiness programs allow open enrollment for all children and allow families receiving benefits for such a program to choose a public or accredited private program.
281281
282282 Sec. 29. Subsection (a) of section 17b-749c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
283283
284284 (a) The [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall establish a program, within available appropriations, to provide, on a competitive basis, supplemental quality enhancement grants to providers of child day care services or providers of school readiness programs pursuant to section 10-16p, as amended by this act, and section 10-16u, as amended by this act. Child day care providers and school readiness programs may apply for a supplemental quality enhancement grant at such time and on such form as the [Commissioner of Education] executive director prescribes. Effective July 1, [2011] 2013, the [commissioner] executive director shall make funds payable to providers under such grants on a prospective basis.
285285
286286 Sec. 30. Section 17b-749d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
287287
288288 Each licensed child day care provider receiving funding directly from the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood shall adopt a sliding fee scale based on family income. The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall develop a minimum sliding fee scale which may be adjusted upward by each such licensed day care program. All income derived from such fees shall be used to support the child day care program.
289289
290290 Sec. 31. Section 17b-749e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
291291
292292 The [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood shall establish and fund five regional accreditation projects, within available appropriations. The [department] office shall select qualified applicants for each region through a request for proposal process. The [department] office shall give priority to child day care facilities where at least twenty per cent of the children live with families earning less than seventy-five per cent of the state median income level.
293293
294294 Sec. 32. Section 17b-749f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
295295
296296 (a) The [Commissioner of Social Services, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education,] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall develop and implement a performance-based evaluation system to evaluate licensed child day care centers, within available appropriations. Such a performance-based evaluation system shall be similar to the Head Start Performance Standards in 45 CFR 1304.
297297
298298 (b) The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director shall conduct, within available appropriations, a longitudinal study that examines the developmental progress of children and their families both during and following participation in a child day care program.
299299
300300 (c) The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director shall report to the General Assembly, in accordance with section 11-4a, on or before January 1, [1998] 2014, on the implementation of the performance-based evaluation system and on the longitudinal study, and annually thereafter on the cumulative results of the evaluations.
301301
302302 Sec. 33. Section 17b-749g of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
303303
304304 (a) There is established a child care facilities loan guarantee program for the purpose of guaranteeing loans for the expansion or development of child care and child development centers in the state. The program shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the program, including, but not limited to, any moneys appropriated by the state, premiums and fees for guaranteeing loans, and proceeds from the sale, disposition, lease or rental of collateral relating to loan guarantees. Any balance remaining in the program at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the program for the fiscal year next succeeding. The program shall be used to guarantee loans pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and to pay reasonable and necessary expenses incurred for administration under this section. The [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may enter into a contract with a quasi-public agency, banking institution or nonprofit corporation to provide for the administration of the program, provided no loan guarantee shall be made from the program without the authorization of the [commissioner] executive director as provided in subsection (b) of this section. The total aggregate amount of guarantees from the program, with respect to the insured portions of the loan, may not exceed at any one time an amount equal to three times the balance in the guarantee program.
305305
306306 (b) The state, acting by and in the discretion of the [Commissioner of Education] executive director, may guarantee the repayment of loans, including, but not limited to, principal and interest, to a lending institution that has provided funding for the construction, reconstruction, rehabilitation or improvement of child care and child development facilities. The total aggregate of any loan guarantee under this section shall be not less than twenty per cent and shall not exceed fifty per cent of the principal amount of the obligation, as determined by approved underwriting standards approved by the [commissioner] executive director, and upon such terms and conditions as the [commissioner] executive director may prescribe. The term of any loan guarantee shall be determined by the useful life of the improvement but in no event shall exceed thirty years. The [commissioner] executive director shall arrange by contract with each lending institution or the borrower to safeguard the interests of the program in the event of a default by the borrower, including, at the discretion of the [commissioner] executive director, provision for notice to the program of default by the borrower, for foreclosure or other realization upon any security for the loan, for the time and conditions for payment to the lending institution by the program of the amount of any loss to the lending institution guaranteed by the program and for the disposition of the proceeds realized from any security for the loan guaranteed. When it appears desirable for a temporary period upon default or threatened default by the borrower, the [commissioner] executive director may authorize payments of installments of principal or interest, or both, from the program to the lending institution, and of taxes and insurance, which payments shall be repaid under such conditions as the program may prescribe and the program may also agree to revise terms of financing when such appears pertinent. Upon request of the lending institution, the [commissioner] executive director may at any time, under such equitable terms and conditions as it may prescribe, consent to the release of the borrower from his liability under the loan or consent to the release of parts of any secured property from the lien of the lending institution.
307307
308308 (c) Priority for loan guarantees shall be given to financing child care centers and child development centers that (1) have obtained accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children or have an application pending for such accreditation, and (2) are included in a local school readiness plan, and (3) shall promote the colocation of programs endorsed by the [Commissioners of Education and Social Services] executive director pursuant to section 4b-31. School readiness programs, licensed child care providers or nonprofit developers of a child care center operating under a legally enforceable agreement with child care providers are eligible for such guaranteed loans.
309309
310310 (d) The [Commissioner of Education] executive director may adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to establish procedures and qualifications for application for guarantees under this section.
311311
312312 Sec. 34. Section 17b-749h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
313313
314314 (a) There is established a program to be known as the "child care facilities direct revolving loan program". The program shall contain any moneys required by law to be deposited in the program, including, but not limited to, any moneys appropriated by the state, premiums, fees, interest payments and principal payments on direct loans and proceeds from the sale, disposition, lease or rental of collateral relating to direct loans. Any balance remaining in the program at the end of any fiscal year shall be carried forward in the program for the next succeeding fiscal year. The program shall be used to make loans pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, to make loan guarantees and to pay reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in administering loans and loan guarantees under this section. The [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may enter into a contract with a quasi-public agency, banking institution or nonprofit corporation to provide for the administration of the loan program, provided no loan or loan guarantee shall be made from the fund without the authorization of the [commissioner] executive director as provided in subsection (b) of this section.
315315
316316 (b) The state, acting by and in the discretion of the [Commissioner of Education] executive director, may enter into a contract to provide financial assistance in the form of interest-free loans, deferred loans or guaranteed loans to child care providers or to nonprofit developers of a child care facility operating under a legally enforceable agreement with a child care provider, for costs or expenses incurred and directly connected with the expansion, improvement or development of child care facilities. Such costs and expenses may include: (1) Advances of loan proceeds for direct loans; (2) expenses incurred in project planning and design, including architectural expenses; (3) legal and financial expenses; (4) expenses incurred in obtaining required permits and approvals; (5) options to purchase land; (6) expenses incurred in obtaining required insurance; (7) expenses incurred in meeting state and local child care standards; (8) minor renovations and upgrading child care facilities to meet such standards and loans for the purpose of obtaining licensure under section 19a-77, as amended by this act; (9) purchase and installation of equipment, machinery and furniture, including equipment needed to accommodate children with special needs; and (10) other preliminary expenses authorized by the [commissioner] executive director. Loan proceeds shall not be used for the refinancing of existing loans, working capital, supplies or inventory.
317317
318318 (c) The amount of a direct loan under this section may be up to eighty per cent of the total amount of investment but shall not exceed twenty-five thousand dollars for such facility as determined by the [commissioner] executive director except that if an applicant for a loan under this section has an existing loan that is guaranteed by the child care facilities loan guarantee program, established under section 17b-749g, as amended by this act, the direct loan provided under this section shall not exceed twenty per cent of the investment. The amount of any guarantee and a direct loan under this section shall not exceed eighty per cent.
319319
320320 (d) Each provider applying for a loan under this section shall submit an application, on a form provided by the [commissioner] executive director that shall include, but is not limited to, the following information: (1) A detailed description of the proposed or existing child care facility; (2) an itemization of known and estimated costs; (3) the total amount of investment required to expand or develop the child care facility; (4) the funds available to the applicant without financial assistance from the [department] office; (5) the amount of financial assistance sought from the [department] office; (6) information relating to the financial status of the applicant, including, if available, a current balance sheet, a profit and loss statement and credit references; and (7) evidence that the loan applicant shall, as of the loan closing, own, have an option to purchase or have a lease for the term of the loan. Security for the loan may include an assignment of the lease or other subordination of any mortgage and the borrower shall be in default if the loan is not used for the intended purpose.
321321
322322 (e) Payments of principal and interest on such loans shall be paid to the State Treasurer for deposit in the child care facilities direct revolving loan program established in subsection (a) of this section.
323323
324324 (f) The [Commissioner of Education] executive director may adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, to carry out the provisions of this section. Such regulations may clarify loan procedures, repayment terms, security requirements, default and remedy provisions, and such other terms and conditions as [said commissioner] the executive director shall deem appropriate.
325325
326326 Sec. 35. Section 17b-749i of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
327327
328328 Within appropriations available to the State Treasurer for child care facilities, not already allocated toward debt service for specific child care facilities, the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may, upon submission of a request by a facility operating a child care program that is financed with tax-exempt or taxable bonds issued through the Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority, allow actual debt service, comprised of principal, interest and premium, if any, on the loan or loans, a debt service reserve fund and a reasonable repair and replacement reserve to be paid, provided such debt service terms and amounts are determined by the [commissioner] executive director, at the time the loan is entered into, to be reasonable in relation to the useful life and base value of the property.
329329
330330 Sec. 36. Section 17b-749j of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
331331
332332 The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall establish health and safety standards, within available appropriations, for the child care subsidy program. The [commissioner] executive director shall adopt regulations, in accordance with chapter 54, which shall include, but not be limited to, the following: (1) A requirement for the provider or relative to apply for reimbursement from the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood; (2) a requirement for the provider or relative to provide reasonable confirmation of physical premises safety pursuant to 45 CFR Part 98.41; and (3) minimum health and safety training appropriate to the provider setting and the prevention and control of infectious diseases, including immunization. The [commissioner] executive director shall, within available appropriations, distribute information on the availability of health and safety training and assistance.
333333
334334 Sec. 37. Section 17b-749k of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
335335
336336 (a) The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall, within available appropriations, require any person, other than a relative, providing child care services to a child in the child's home who receives a child care subsidy from the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood to submit to state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The [commissioner] executive director shall also request a check of the state child abuse registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k.
337337
338338 (b) The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director shall have the discretion to refuse payments for child care under any financial assistance program administered by him or her if the person providing such child care has been convicted in this state or any other state of a felony, as defined in section 53a-25, involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person, of cruelty to persons under section 53-20, injury or risk of injury to or impairing morals of children under section 53-21, abandonment of children under the age of six years under section 53-23 or any felony where the victim of the felony is a child under eighteen years of age, or of a violation of section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70b, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, or has a criminal record or was the subject of a substantiated report of child abuse in this state or any other state that the [commissioner] executive director reasonably believes renders the person unsuitable to provide child care.
339339
340340 Sec. 38. Section 17b-750 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
341341
342342 No child care subsidy shall be paid to an unlicensed child care provider if such provider has been convicted of any crime involving sexual assault of a minor or serious physical injury to a minor or any crime committed in any other state or jurisdiction the essential elements of which are substantially the same as such crimes. If the [commissioner] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood has reason to believe that a provider of child care services has been so convicted, the [commissioner] executive director may demand that such provider be subject to state and national criminal history records checks. If criminal history records checks are required pursuant to this section, such checks shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a.
343343
344344 Sec. 39. Section 17b-751 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
345345
346346 (a) There is established a Children's Trust Fund, the resources of which shall be used by the council established pursuant to subsection (b) of this section and the [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood with the advice of the Children's Trust Fund Council to fund programs aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect and family resource programs. Said fund is intended to be in addition to those resources that would otherwise be appropriated by the state for programs aimed at preventing child abuse and neglect and family resource programs. The Children's Trust Fund Council and the [commissioner] executive director may apply for and accept any federal funds which are available for a Children's Trust Fund and shall administer such funds in the manner required by federal law. The fund shall receive money from grants and gifts made pursuant to section 17a-18. The Children's Trust Fund Council and the [commissioner] executive director may solicit and accept funds, on behalf of the Children's Trust Fund, to be used for the prevention of child abuse and neglect and family resource programs. The [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, with the advice of the Children's Trust Fund Council, shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to administer the fund and to set eligibility requirements for programs seeking funding. Youth service bureaus may receive funds from the Children's Trust Fund.
347347
348348 (b) There shall be established, within existing resources, a Children's Trust Fund Council which shall be within the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood. The council shall be composed of [sixteen] seventeen members as follows: (1) The Commissioners of Social Services, Education, Children and Families and Public Health, or their designees; (2) a representative of the business community with experience in fund-raising, appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; (3) a representative of the business community with experience in fund-raising, appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; (4) a representative of the business community with experience in fund-raising, appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; (5) a representative of the business community with experience in fund-raising, appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; (6) a parent, appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; (7) a parent, appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; (8) a parent, appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate; (9) a person with expertise in child abuse prevention, appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives; (10) a person with expertise in child abuse prevention, appointed by the minority leader of the House of Representatives; (11) a staff member of a child abuse prevention program, appointed by the minority leader of the Senate; (12) a staff member of a child abuse prevention program, appointed by the majority leader of the House of Representatives; [and] (13) a pediatrician, appointed by the majority leader of the Senate; and (14) the executive director of the Office of Early Childhood. The council shall solicit and accept funds, on behalf of the Children's Trust Fund, to be used for the prevention of child abuse and neglect and family resource programs, and shall make grants to programs pursuant to subsection (a) of this section.
349349
350350 (c) On or before July 1, 2010, and annually thereafter, the Children's Trust Fund Council and the [commissioner] executive director shall report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a, to the Governor and the joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to human services, public health and education concerning the source and amount of funds received by the Children's Trust Fund, and the manner in which such funds were administered and disbursed.
351351
352352 Sec. 40. Section 17b-751a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
353353
354354 A grandparent or other relative caregiver who is appointed a guardian of a child or children through the Superior Court and who is not a recipient of subsidized guardianship subsidies under section 17a-126 or foster care payments from the Department of Children and Families shall, within available appropriations, be eligible to apply for grants under the Kinship Fund and Grandparents and Relatives Respite Fund administered by the Children's Trust Fund Council and the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood through the Probate Court.
355355
356356 Sec. 41. Section 17b-751d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
357357
358358 (a) The [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood shall be the lead state agency for community-based, prevention-focused programs and activities designed to strengthen and support families to prevent child abuse and neglect, in collaboration with the Children's Trust Fund Council, established pursuant to section 17b-751, as amended by this act. The responsibilities of the [department] office shall include, but not be limited to, collaborating with state agencies, hospitals, clinics, schools and community service organizations, with the guidance of the Children's Trust Fund Council, established pursuant to section 17b-751, as amended by this act, to: (1) Initiate programs to support families at risk for child abuse or neglect; (2) assist organizations to recognize child abuse and neglect; (3) encourage community safety; (4) increase broad-based efforts to prevent child abuse and neglect; (5) create a network of agencies to advance child abuse and neglect prevention; and (6) increase public awareness of child abuse and neglect issues. The [department] office, with the guidance of the Children's Trust Fund Council and subject to available state, federal and private funding, shall be responsible for implementing and maintaining programs and services, including, but not limited to: (A) The Nurturing Families Network, established pursuant to subsection (a) of section 17b-751b; (B) Family Empowerment Initiative programs; (C) Help Me Grow; (D) the Kinship Fund and Grandparent's Respite Fund; (E) Family School Connection; (F) support services for residents of a respite group home for girls; (G) legal services on behalf of indigent children; (H) volunteer services; (I) family development training; (J) shaken baby syndrome prevention; and (K) child sexual abuse prevention.
359359
360360 (b) Not later than sixty days after October 5, 2009, the [Commissioner of Social Services] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall report, in accordance with section 11-4a, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly, having cognizance of matters relating to human services and appropriations and the budgets of state agencies on the integration of the duties described in subsection (a) of this section into the department.
361361
362362 Sec. 42. Section 17b-751e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
363363
364364 Any order, regulation or contract of the Children's Trust Fund Council agency that is in force on September 1, 2009, shall continue in force and effect as an order, regulation or contract of the [Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood until amended, repealed or superseded pursuant to law.
365365
366366 Sec. 43. Section 17a-248 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
367367
368368 As used in this section and sections 17a-248b to 17a-248g, inclusive, as amended by this act, 38a-490a and 38a-516a, unless the context otherwise requires:
369369
370370 [(1) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Developmental Services.]
371371
372372 (1) "Executive director" means the executive director of the Office of Early Childhood.
373373
374374 (2) "Council" means the State Interagency Birth-to-Three Coordinating Council established pursuant to section 17a-248b, as amended by this act.
375375
376376 (3) "Early intervention services" means early intervention services, as defined in 34 CFR Part 303.12, as from time to time amended.
377377
378378 (4) "Eligible children" means children from birth to thirty-six months of age, who are not eligible for special education and related services pursuant to sections 10-76a to 10-76h, inclusive, and who need early intervention services because such children are:
379379
380380 (A) Experiencing a significant developmental delay as measured by standardized diagnostic instruments and procedures, including informed clinical opinion, in one or more of the following areas: (i) Cognitive development; (ii) physical development, including vision or hearing; (iii) communication development; (iv) social or emotional development; or (v) adaptive skills; or
381381
382382 (B) Diagnosed as having a physical or mental condition that has a high probability of resulting in developmental delay.
383383
384384 (5) "Evaluation" means a multidisciplinary professional, objective assessment conducted by appropriately qualified personnel in order to determine a child's eligibility for early intervention services.
385385
386386 (6) "Individualized family service plan" means a written plan for providing early intervention services to an eligible child and the child's family.
387387
388388 (7) "Lead agency" means the [Department of Developmental Services] Office of Early Childhood, the public [agency] entity responsible for the administration of the birth-to-three system in collaboration with the participating agencies.
389389
390390 (8) "Parent" means (A) a biological, adoptive or foster parent of a child; (B) a guardian, except for the Commissioner of Children and Families; (C) an individual acting in the place of a biological or adoptive parent, including, but not limited to, a grandparent, stepparent, or other relative with whom the child lives; (D) an individual who is legally responsible for the child's welfare; or (E) an individual appointed to be a surrogate parent.
391391
392392 (9) "Participating agencies" includes, but is not limited to, the Departments of Education, Social Services, Public Health, Children and Families and Developmental Services, the Office of Early Childhood, the Insurance Department, the Department of Rehabilitation Services and the Office of Protection and Advocacy for Persons with Disabilities.
393393
394394 (10) "Qualified personnel" means persons who meet the standards specified in 34 CFR Part 303.12(e), as from time to time amended, and who are licensed physicians or psychologists or persons holding a state-approved or recognized license, certificate or registration in one or more of the following fields: (A) Special education, including teaching of the blind and the deaf; (B) speech and language pathology and audiology; (C) occupational therapy; (D) physical therapy; (E) social work; (F) nursing; (G) dietary or nutritional counseling; and (H) other fields designated by the [commissioner] executive director that meet requirements that apply to the area in which the person is providing early intervention services, provided there is no conflict with existing professional licensing, certification and registration requirements.
395395
396396 (11) "Service coordinator" means a person carrying out service coordination, as defined in 34 CFR Part 303.22, as from time to time amended.
397397
398398 (12) "Primary care provider" means physicians and advanced practice registered nurses, licensed by the Department of Public Health, who are responsible for performing or directly supervising the primary care services for children enrolled in the birth-to-three program.
399399
400400 Sec. 44. Section 17a-248b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
401401
402402 (a) The lead agency shall establish a State Interagency Birth-to-Three Coordinating Council and shall provide staff assistance and other resources to the council. The council shall consist of the following members, appointed by the Governor: (1) Parents, including minority parents, of children with disabilities twelve years of age or younger, with knowledge of, or experience with, programs for children with disabilities from birth to thirty-six months of age, the total number of whom shall equal not less than twenty per cent of the total membership of the council, and at least one of whom shall be a parent of a child six years of age or younger, with a disability; (2) two members of the General Assembly at the time of their appointment, one of whom shall be designated by the speaker of the House of Representatives and one of whom shall be designated by the president pro tempore of the Senate; (3) one person involved in the training of personnel who provide early intervention services; (4) one person who is a member of the American Academy of Pediatrics; (5) one person from each of the participating agencies, who shall be designated by the commissioner or executive director of the participating agency and who have authority to engage in policy planning and implementation on behalf of the participating agency; (6) public or private providers of early intervention services, the total number of whom shall equal not less than twenty per cent of the total membership of the council; and (7) a representative of a Head Start program or agency. The Governor shall designate the chairperson of the council who shall not be the designee of the lead agency.
403403
404404 (b) The Governor shall appoint all members of the council for terms of three years.
405405
406406 (c) The council shall meet at least quarterly and shall provide public notice of its meetings, which shall be open and accessible to the general public. Special meetings may be called by the chairperson and shall be called at the request of the [commissioner] executive director.
407407
408408 (d) Council members who are parents of children with disabilities shall be reimbursed for reasonable and necessary expenses incurred in the performance of their duties under this section.
409409
410410 (e) The council shall: (1) Assist the lead agency in the effective performance of the lead agency's responsibilities under section 17a-248, as amended by this act, this section and sections 17a-248c to 17a-248g, inclusive, as amended by this act, 38a-490a and 38a-516a, including identifying the sources of fiscal support for early intervention services and programs, assignment of financial responsibility to the appropriate agency, promotion of interagency agreements and preparing applications and amendments required pursuant to federal law; (2) advise and assist the [commissioner] executive director and other participating agencies in the development of standards and procedures pursuant to said sections; (3) advise and assist the [commissioner] executive director and the Commissioner of Education regarding the transition of children with disabilities to services provided under sections 10-76a to 10-76h, inclusive; (4) advise and assist the [commissioner] executive director in identifying barriers that impede timely and effective service delivery, including advice and assistance with regard to interagency disputes; and (5) prepare and submit an annual report in accordance with section 11-4a to the Governor and the General Assembly on the status of the birth-to-three system. At least thirty days prior to the [commissioner's] executive director's final approval of rules and regulations pursuant to section 17a-248, as amended by this act, this section, sections 17a-248c to 17a-248g, inclusive, as amended by this act, 38a-490a and 38a-516a, other than emergency rules and regulations, the [commissioner] executive director shall submit proposed rules and regulations to the council for its review. The council shall review all proposed rules and regulations and report its recommendations thereon to the [commissioner] executive director within thirty days. The [commissioner] executive director shall not act in a manner inconsistent with the recommendations of the council without first providing the reasons for such action. The council, upon a majority vote of its members, may require that an alternative approach to the proposed rules and regulations be published with a notice of the proposed rules and regulations pursuant to chapter 54. When an alternative approach is published pursuant to this section, the [commissioner] executive director shall state the reasons for not selecting such alternative approach.
411411
412412 Sec. 45. Subsection (a) of section 17a-248c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
413413
414414 (a) The [commissioner] executive director may establish one local interagency coordinating council in each region of the state. Each council shall consist of five or more individuals interested in the welfare of children ages birth to three years with disabilities or developmental delays.
415415
416416 Sec. 46. Subsection (d) of section 17a-248d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
417417
418418 (d) The [commissioner] executive director, in coordination with the participating agencies and in consultation with the council, shall adopt regulations, pursuant to chapter 54, to carry out the provisions of section 17a-248, as amended by this act, and sections 17a-248b to 17a-248g, inclusive, as amended by this act, 38a-490a and 38a-516a.
419419
420420 Sec. 47. Subsections (d) and (e) of section 17a-248g of the general statutes are repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
421421
422422 (d) The [commissioner] executive director, in consultation with the Office of Policy and Management and the Insurance Commissioner, shall adopt regulations, pursuant to chapter 54, providing public reimbursement for deductibles and copayments imposed under an insurance policy or health benefit plan to the extent that such deductibles and copayments are applicable to early intervention services.
423423
424424 (e) The [commissioner] executive director shall establish and periodically revise, in accordance with this section, a schedule of fees based on a sliding scale for early intervention services. The schedule of fees shall consider the cost of such services relative to the financial resources of the state and the parents or legal guardians of eligible children, provided that on and after October 6, 2009, the [commissioner] executive director shall (1) charge fees to such parents or legal guardians that are sixty per cent greater than the amount of the fees charged on the date prior to October 6, 2009; and (2) charge fees for all services provided, including those services provided in the first two months following the enrollment of a child in the program. Fees may be charged to any such parent or guardian, regardless of income, and shall be charged to any such parent or guardian with a gross annual family income of forty-five thousand dollars or more, except that no fee may be charged to the parent or guardian of a child who is eligible for Medicaid. Notwithstanding the provisions of subdivision (8) of section 17a-248, as amended by this act, as used in this subsection, "parent" means the biological or adoptive parent or legal guardian of any child receiving early intervention services. The [Department of Developmental Services] lead agency may assign its right to collect fees to a designee or provider participating in the early intervention program and providing services to a recipient in order to assist the provider in obtaining payment for such services. The [commissioner] executive director may implement procedures for the collection of the schedule of fees while in the process of adopting or amending such criteria in regulation, provided the [commissioner] executive director prints notice of intention to adopt or amend the regulations in the Connecticut Law Journal within twenty days of implementing the policy. Such collection procedures and schedule of fees shall be valid until the time the final regulations or amendments are effective.
425425
426426 Sec. 48. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2014) (a) The Office of Early Childhood shall constitute a successor agency to the Department of Public Health, in accordance with the provisions of sections 4-38d and 4-39 of the general statutes, for the purpose of the conduct of regulation of child day care services pursuant to sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and sections 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, of the general statutes, as amended by this act, and for the purpose of administering the Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program authorized under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act of 2010, P.L. 111-148.
427427
428428 (b) Any order, regulation or policy of the Department of Public Health concerning child day care services that is established pursuant to sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, of the general statutes, as amended by this act, or otherwise authorized by law, that is in force on July 1, 2014, shall continue in force and effect as an order, regulation or policy until amended, repealed or superseded pursuant to law.
429429
430430 Sec. 49. Subdivision (11) of subsection (g) of section 17a-28 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
431431
432432 (11) The [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood for the purpose of (A) determining the suitability of a person to care for children in a facility licensed pursuant to section 19a-77, as amended by this act, 19a-80 or 19a-87b, as amended by this act; (B) determining the suitability of such person for licensure; or (C) an investigation conducted pursuant to section 19a-80f, as amended by this act;
433433
434434 Sec. 50. Section 19a-77 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
435435
436436 (a) As used in sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, as amended by this act, and sections 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, as amended by this act, "child day care services" shall include:
437437
438438 (1) A "child day care center" which offers or provides a program of supplementary care to more than twelve related or unrelated children outside their own homes on a regular basis;
439439
440440 (2) A "group day care home" which offers or provides a program of supplementary care (A) to not less than seven or more than twelve related or unrelated children on a regular basis, or (B) that meets the definition of a family day care home except that it operates in a facility other than a private family home;
441441
442442 (3) A "family day care home" which consists of a private family home caring for not more than six children, including the provider's own children not in school full time, where the children are cared for not less than three or more than twelve hours during a twenty-four-hour period and where care is given on a regularly recurring basis except that care may be provided in excess of twelve hours but not more than seventy-two consecutive hours to accommodate a need for extended care or intermittent short-term overnight care. During the regular school year, a maximum of three additional children who are in school full time, including the provider's own children, shall be permitted, except that if the provider has more than three children who are in school full time, all of the provider's children shall be permitted;
443443
444444 (4) "Night care" means the care provided for one or more hours between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 5:00 a.m.;
445445
446446 (5) "Year-round" program means a program open at least fifty weeks per year.
447447
448448 (b) For licensing requirement purposes, child day care services shall not include such services which are:
449449
450450 (1) (A) Administered by a public school system, or (B) administered by a municipal agency or department and located in a public school building;
451451
452452 (2) Administered by a private school which is in compliance with section 10-188 and is approved by the State Board of Education or is accredited by an accrediting agency recognized by the State Board of Education;
453453
454454 (3) Classes in music, dance, drama and art that are no longer than two hours in length; classes that teach a single skill that are no longer than two hours in length; library programs that are no longer than two hours in length; scouting; programs that offer exclusively sports activities; rehearsals; academic tutoring programs; or programs exclusively for children thirteen years of age or older;
455455
456456 (4) Informal arrangements among neighbors and formal or informal arrangements among relatives in their own homes, provided the relative is limited to any of the following degrees of kinship by blood or marriage to the child being cared for or to the child's parent: Child, grandchild, sibling, niece, nephew, aunt, uncle or child of one's aunt or uncle;
457457
458458 (5) Drop-in supplementary child care operations for educational or recreational purposes and the child receives such care infrequently where the parents are on the premises;
459459
460460 (6) Drop-in supplementary child care operations in retail establishments where the parents remain in the same store as the child for retail shopping, provided the drop-in supplementary child-care operation does not charge a fee and does not refer to itself as a child day care center;
461461
462462 (7) Drop-in programs administered by a nationally chartered boys' and girls' club;
463463
464464 (8) Religious educational activities administered by a religious institution exclusively for children whose parents or legal guardians are members of such religious institution;
465465
466466 (9) Administered by Solar Youth, Inc., a New Haven-based nonprofit youth development and environmental education organization, provided Solar Youth, Inc. informs the parents and legal guardians of any children enrolled in its programs that such programs are not licensed by the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood to provide child day care services;
467467
468468 (10) Programs administered by organizations under contract with the Department of Social Services pursuant to section 17b-851a that promote the reduction of teenage pregnancy through the provision of services to persons who are ten to nineteen years of age, inclusive; or
469469
470470 (11) Administered by the Cardinal Shehan Center, a Bridgeport-based nonprofit organization that is exclusively for school age children, provided the Cardinal Shehan Center informs the parents and legal guardians of any children enrolled in its programs that such programs are not licensed by the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood to provide child day care services.
471471
472472 (c) No registrant or licensee of any child day care services as defined in subsection (a) of this section shall be issued an additional registration or license to provide any such services at the same facility.
473473
474474 (d) When a licensee has vacated premises approved by the [department] office for the provision of child day care services and the landlord of such licensee establishes to the satisfaction of the [department] office that such licensee has no legal right or interest to such approved premises, the [department] office may make a determination with respect to an application for a new license for the provision of child day care services at such premises.
475475
476476 Sec. 51. Section 19a-79 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
477477
478478 (a) The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to carry out the purposes of sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, as amended by this act, and to assure that child day care centers and group day care homes shall meet the health, educational and social needs of children utilizing such child day care centers and group day care homes. Such regulations shall (1) specify that before being permitted to attend any child day care center or group day care home, each child shall be protected as age-appropriate by adequate immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hemophilus influenzae type B and any other vaccine required by the schedule of active immunization adopted pursuant to section 19a-7f, including appropriate exemptions for children for whom such immunization is medically contraindicated and for children whose parents object to such immunization on religious grounds, (2) specify conditions under which child day care center directors and teachers and group day care home providers may administer tests to monitor glucose levels in a child with diagnosed diabetes mellitus, and administer medicinal preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations by the [commissioner] executive director, to a child receiving child day care services at such child day care center or group day care home pursuant to the written order of a physician licensed to practice medicine or a dentist licensed to practice dental medicine in this or another state, or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-94a, or a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-12d, and the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child, (3) specify that an operator of a child day care center or group day care home, licensed before January 1, 1986, or an operator who receives a license after January 1, 1986, for a facility licensed prior to January 1, 1986, shall provide a minimum of thirty square feet per child of total indoor usable space, free of furniture except that needed for the children's purposes, exclusive of toilet rooms, bathrooms, coatrooms, kitchens, halls, isolation room or other rooms used for purposes other than the activities of the children, (4) specify that a child day care center or group day care home licensed after January 1, 1986, shall provide thirty-five square feet per child of total indoor usable space, (5) establish appropriate child day care center staffing requirements for employees certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation by the American Red Cross, the American Heart Association, the National Safety Council, American Safety and Health Institute or Medic First Aid International, Inc., (6) specify that on and after January 1, 2003, a child day care center or group day care home (A) shall not deny services to a child on the basis of a child's known or suspected allergy or because a child has a prescription for an automatic prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment used to treat an allergic reaction, or for injectable equipment used to administer glucagon, (B) shall, not later than three weeks after such child's enrollment in such a center or home, have staff trained in the use of such equipment on-site during all hours when such a child is on-site, (C) shall require such child's parent or guardian to provide the injector or injectable equipment and a copy of the prescription for such medication and injector or injectable equipment upon enrollment of such child, and (D) shall require a parent or guardian enrolling such a child to replace such medication and equipment prior to its expiration date, and (7) specify that on and after January 1, 2005, a child day care center or group day care home (A) shall not deny services to a child on the basis of a child's diagnosis of asthma or because a child has a prescription for an inhalant medication to treat asthma, and (B) shall, not later than three weeks after such child's enrollment in such a center or home, have staff trained in the administration of such medication on-site during all hours when such a child is on-site, and (8) establish physical plant requirements for licensed child day care centers and licensed group day care homes that exclusively serve school-age children. When establishing such requirements, the [department] office shall give consideration to child day care centers and group day care homes that are located in private or public school buildings. With respect to this subdivision only, the [commissioner] executive director shall implement policies and procedures necessary to implement the physical plant requirements established pursuant to this subdivision while in the process of adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form. Until replaced by policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subdivision, any physical plant requirement specified in the [department's] office's regulations that is generally applicable to child day care centers and group day care homes shall continue to be applicable to such centers and group day care homes that exclusively serve school-age children. The [commissioner] executive director shall print notice of the intent to adopt regulations pursuant to this subdivision in the Connecticut Law Journal not later than twenty days after the date of implementation of such policies and procedures. Policies and procedures implemented pursuant to this subdivision shall be valid until the time final regulations are adopted.
479479
480480 (b) The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may adopt regulations, pursuant to chapter 54, to establish civil penalties of not more than one hundred dollars per day for each day of violation and other disciplinary remedies that may be imposed, following a contested-case hearing, upon the holder of a license issued under section 19a-80, as amended by this act, to operate a child day care center or group day care home or upon the holder of a license issued under section 19a-87b, as amended by this act, to operate a family day care home.
481481
482482 (c) The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall exempt Montessori schools accredited by the American Montessori Society or the Association Montessori Internationale from any provision in regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section which sets requirements on group size or child to staff ratios or the provision of cots.
483483
484484 Sec. 52. Section 19a-80 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
485485
486486 (a) No person, group of persons, association, organization, corporation, institution or agency, public or private, shall maintain a child day care center or group day care home without a license issued in accordance with sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 19a-82 to 19a-87a, inclusive, as amended by this act. Applications for such license shall be made to the [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood on forms provided by the [commissioner] executive director and shall contain the information required by regulations adopted under said sections. The forms shall contain a notice that false statements made therein are punishable in accordance with section 53a-157b.
487487
488488 (b) (1) Upon receipt of an application for a license, the [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall issue such license if, upon inspection and investigation, said [commissioner] executive director finds that the applicant, the facilities and the program meet the health, educational and social needs of children likely to attend the child day care center or group day care home and comply with requirements established by regulations adopted under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, as amended by this act, and sections 19a-82 to 19a-87a, inclusive, as amended by this act. The [commissioner] executive director shall offer an expedited application review process for an application submitted by a municipal agency or department. The [commissioner] executive director shall have discretion to determine whether a change of operator, ownership or location request from a currently licensed person or entity, as described in subsection (a) of this section, shall require the filing of a new license application from such person or entity. Each license shall be for a term of four years, shall be nontransferable, and may be renewed upon receipt by the [commissioner] executive director of a renewal application and accompanying licensure fee. The [commissioner] executive director may suspend or revoke such license after notice and an opportunity for a hearing as provided in section 19a-84 for violation of the regulations adopted under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, as amended by this act, and sections 19a-82 to 19a-87a, inclusive, as amended by this act.
489489
490490 (2) The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall collect from the licensee of a day care center a fee of five hundred dollars prior to issuing or renewing a license for a term of four years. The [commissioner] executive director shall collect from the licensee of a group day care home a fee of two hundred fifty dollars prior to issuing or renewing a license for a term of four years. The [commissioner] executive director shall require only one license for a child day care center operated in two or more buildings, provided the same licensee provides child day care services in each building and the buildings are joined together by a contiguous playground that is part of the licensed space.
491491
492492 (c) The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, within available appropriations, shall require each prospective employee of a child day care center or group day care home in a position requiring the provision of care to a child to submit to state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The [commissioner] executive director shall also request a check of the state child abuse registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. Pursuant to the interagency agreement provided for in section 10-16s, as amended by this act, the Department of Social Services may agree to transfer funds appropriated for criminal history records checks to the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood. The [commissioner] executive director shall notify each licensee of the provisions of this subsection.
493493
494494 (d) The [commissioner] executive director shall inform each licensee, by way of a plain language summary provided not later than sixty days after the regulation's effective date, of new or changed regulations adopted under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, as amended by this act, or sections 19a-82 to 19a-87a, inclusive, as amended by this act, with which a licensee must comply.
495495
496496 Sec. 53. Section 19a-80f of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
497497
498498 (a) As used in this section, "facility" means a child day care center, a group day care home and a family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, and a youth camp, as defined in section 19a-420.
499499
500500 (b) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, the Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee, shall provide to the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood all records concerning reports and investigations of child abuse or neglect that have been reported to, or are being investigated by, the Department of Children and Families pursuant to section 17a-101g, including records of any administrative hearing held pursuant to section 17a-101k: (1) Occurring at any facility, and (2) by any staff member or licensee of any facility and by any household member of any family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, irrespective of where the abuse or neglect occurred.
501501
502502 (c) The Department of Children and Families and the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood shall jointly investigate reports of abuse or neglect occurring at any facility. All information, records and reports concerning such investigation shall be shared between agencies as part of the investigative process.
503503
504504 (d) The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall compile a listing of allegations of violations that have been substantiated by the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood concerning a facility during the prior three-year period. The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall disclose information contained in the listing to any person who requests it, provided the information may be disclosed pursuant to sections 17a-101g and 17a-101k and does not identify children or family members of those children.
505505
506506 (e) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, when the Commissioner of Children and Families has made a finding substantiating abuse or neglect: (1) That occurred at a facility, or (2) by any staff member or licensee of any facility, or by any household member of any family day care home and such finding is included on the state child abuse or neglect registry, maintained by the Department of Children and Families pursuant to section 17a-101k, such finding may be included in the listing compiled by the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood pursuant to subsection (d) of this section and may be disclosed to the public by the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood.
507507
508508 (f) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, when the Commissioner of Children and Families, pursuant to section 17a-101j, has notified the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood of a recommended finding of child abuse or neglect at a facility and if such child abuse or neglect resulted in or involves (1) the death of a child; (2) the risk of serious physical injury or emotional harm of a child; (3) the serious physical harm of a child; (4) the arrest of a person due to abuse or neglect of a child; (5) a petition filed by the Commissioner of Children and Families pursuant to section 17a-112 or 46b-129; or (6) sexual abuse of a child, the [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may include such finding of child abuse or neglect in the listing under subsection (d) of this section and may disclose such finding to the public. The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee, shall immediately notify the [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood when such child abuse or neglect is not substantiated after an investigation has been completed pursuant to subsection (b) of section 17a-101g or a recommended finding of child abuse or neglect is reversed after a hearing or appeal conducted in accordance with the provisions of section 17a-101k. The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall immediately remove such information from the listing and shall not further disclose any such information to the public.
509509
510510 (g) Notwithstanding any provision of the general statutes, all records provided by the Commissioner of Children and Families, or the commissioner's designee, to the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood regarding child abuse or neglect occurring at any facility, may be utilized in an administrative proceeding or court proceeding relative to facility licensing. In any such proceeding, such records shall be confidential, except as provided by the provisions of section 4-177c, and such records shall not be subject to disclosure pursuant to section 1-210.
511511
512512 Sec. 54. Section 19a-82 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
513513
514514 The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall utilize consultative services and assistance from the Departments of Education, Mental Health and Addiction Services and Social Services and from municipal building, fire and health departments. The [commissioner] executive director shall make periodic inspections of licensed day care centers, group day care homes and family day care homes and shall provide technical assistance to licensees and applicants for licenses to assist them to attain and maintain the standards established in regulations adopted under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, as amended by this act, 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 19a-87b, as amended by this act.
515515
516516 Sec. 55. Section 19a-86 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
517517
518518 The [commissioner] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may request the Attorney General to bring an action in the superior court for the judicial district of Hartford to enjoin any person, group of persons, association, organization, corporation, institution, or agency, public or private, from maintaining a child day care center or group day care home without a license or operating a child day care center or group day care home in violation of regulations adopted under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, as amended by this act.
519519
520520 Sec. 56. Section 19a-87 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
521521
522522 (a) Any person or officer of an association, organization or corporation who shall establish, conduct, maintain or operate a day care center or group day care home without a current and valid license shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars a day for each day that such center or home is operated without a license.
523523
524524 (b) If the [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood has reason to believe that a violation has occurred for which a civil penalty is authorized by subsection (a) of this section, he may send to such person or officer by certified mail, return receipt requested, or personally serve upon such person or officer, a notice which shall include: (1) A reference to the section or sections of the general statutes or regulations involved; (2) a short and plain statement of the matters asserted or charged; (3) a statement of the maximum civil penalty which may be imposed for such violation; and (4) a statement of the party's right to request a hearing, such request to be submitted in writing to the [commissioner] executive director not later than thirty days after the notice is mailed or served.
525525
526526 (c) If such person or officer so requests, the [commissioner] executive director shall hold a hearing on the violation asserted. The hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. If such person or officer fails to request a hearing or fails to appear at the hearing or if, after the hearing, the [commissioner] executive director finds that the person or officer has committed such violation, the [commissioner] executive director may, in his discretion, order that a civil penalty be imposed that is not greater than the penalty stated in the notice. The [commissioner] executive director shall send a copy of any order issued pursuant to this subsection by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person or officer named in such order.
527527
528528 Sec. 57. Section 19a-87a of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
529529
530530 (a) The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall have the discretion to refuse to license under sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 19a-82 to 19a-87, inclusive, as amended by this act, a person to conduct, operate or maintain a day care center or a group day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, or to suspend or revoke the license or take any other action set forth in regulation that may be adopted pursuant to section 19a-79, as amended by this act, if, the person who owns, conducts, maintains or operates such center or home or a person employed therein in a position connected with the provision of care to a child receiving child day care services, has been convicted in this state or any other state of a felony as defined in section 53a-25 involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person, of cruelty to persons under section 53-20, injury or risk of injury to or impairing morals of children under section 53-21, abandonment of children under the age of six years under section 53-23, or any felony where the victim of the felony is a child under eighteen years of age, or of a violation of section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70b, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, or has a criminal record in this state or any other state that the [commissioner] executive director reasonably believes renders the person unsuitable to own, conduct, operate or maintain or be employed by a child day care center or group day care home. However, no refusal of a license shall be rendered except in accordance with the provisions of sections 46a-79 to 46a-81, inclusive.
531531
532532 (b) Any person who is licensed to conduct, operate or maintain a child day care center or group day care home shall notify the [commissioner] executive director of any criminal conviction of the owner, conductor, operator or maintainer of the center or home or of any person employed therein in a position connected with the provision of care to a child receiving child day care services, immediately upon obtaining knowledge of the conviction. Failure to comply with the notification requirement may result in the suspension or revocation of the license or the imposition of any action set forth in regulation, and shall subject the licensed person to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars per day for each day after the person obtained knowledge of the conviction.
533533
534534 (c) It shall be a class A misdemeanor for any person seeking employment in a position connected with the provision of care to a child receiving child day care services to make a false written statement regarding prior criminal convictions pursuant to a form bearing notice to the effect that such false statements are punishable, which statement he does not believe to be true and is intended to mislead the prospective employer.
535535
536536 (d) Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a child day care center or a group day care home is operating without a current and valid license or in violation of regulations adopted under section 19a-79, as amended by this act, or in a manner which may pose a potential danger to the health, welfare and safety of a child receiving child day care services, may report such information to the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood. The [department] office shall investigate any report or complaint received pursuant to this subsection. The name of the person making the report or complaint shall not be disclosed unless (1) such person consents to such disclosure, (2) a judicial or administrative proceeding results therefrom, or (3) a license action pursuant to subsection (a) of this section results therefrom. All records obtained by the [department] office in connection with any such investigation shall not be subject to the provisions of section 1-210 for a period of thirty days from the date of the petition or other event initiating such investigation, or until such time as the investigation is terminated pursuant to a withdrawal or other informal disposition or until a hearing is convened pursuant to chapter 54, whichever is earlier. A formal statement of charges issued by the [department] office shall be subject to the provisions of section 1-210 from the time that it is served or mailed to the respondent. Records which are otherwise public records shall not be deemed confidential merely because they have been obtained in connection with an investigation under this section.
537537
538538 (e) In addition to any powers the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood may have, in any investigation (1) concerning an application, reinstatement or renewal of a license for a child day care center, a group day care home or a family day care home, as such terms are defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, (2) of a complaint concerning child day care services, as described in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, or (3) concerning the possible provision of unlicensed child day care services, the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood may administer oaths, issue subpoenas, compel testimony and order the production of books, records and documents. If any person refuses to appear, testify or produce any book, record or document when so ordered, a judge of the Superior Court may make such order as may be appropriate to aid in the enforcement of this section.
539539
540540 Sec. 58. Section 19a-87b of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
541541
542542 (a) No person, group of persons, association, organization, corporation, institution or agency, public or private, shall maintain a family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, without a license issued by the [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood. Licensure forms shall be obtained from the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood. Applications for licensure shall be made to the [commissioner] executive director on forms provided by the [department] office and shall contain the information required by regulations adopted under this section. The licensure and application forms shall contain a notice that false statements made therein are punishable in accordance with section 53a-157b. Applicants shall state, in writing, that they are in compliance with the regulations adopted by the [commissioner] executive director pursuant to subsection (f) of this section. Before a family day care home license is granted, the [department] office shall make an inquiry and investigation which shall include a visit and inspection of the premises for which the license is requested. Any inspection conducted by the [department] office shall include an inspection for evident sources of lead poisoning. The [department] office shall provide for a chemical analysis of any paint chips found on such premises. Neither the [commissioner] executive director nor the [commissioner's] executive director's designee shall require an annual inspection for homes seeking license renewal or for licensed homes, except that the [commissioner] executive director or the [commissioner's] executive director's designee shall make unannounced visits, during customary business hours, to at least thirty-three and one-third per cent of the licensed family day care homes each year. A licensed family day care home shall not be subject to any conditions on the operation of such home by local officials, other than those imposed by the [department] office pursuant to this subsection, if the home complies with all local codes and ordinances applicable to single and multifamily dwellings.
543543
544544 (b) No person shall act as an assistant or substitute staff member to a person or entity maintaining a family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, without an approval issued by the [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood. Any person seeking to act as an assistant or substitute staff member in a family day care home shall submit an application for such approval to the [department] office. Applications for approval shall: (1) Be made to the [commissioner] executive director on forms provided by the [department] office, (2) contain the information required by regulations adopted under this section, and (3) be accompanied by a fee of twenty dollars. The approval application forms shall contain a notice that false statements made in such form are punishable in accordance with section 53a-157b.
545545
546546 (c) The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, within available appropriations, shall require each initial applicant or prospective employee of a family day care home in a position requiring the provision of care to a child, including an assistant or substitute staff member, to submit to state and national criminal history records checks. The criminal history records checks required pursuant to this subsection shall be conducted in accordance with section 29-17a. The [commissioner] executive director shall also request a check of the state child abuse registry established pursuant to section 17a-101k. The [commissioner] executive director shall notify each licensee of the provisions of this subsection.
547547
548548 (d) An application for initial licensure pursuant to this section shall be accompanied by a fee of forty dollars and such license shall be issued for a term of four years. An application for renewal of a license issued pursuant to this section shall be accompanied by a fee of forty dollars and a certification from the licensee that any child enrolled in the family day care home has received age-appropriate immunizations in accordance with regulations adopted pursuant to subsection (f) of this section. A license issued pursuant to this section shall be renewed for a term of four years.
549549
550550 (e) An application for initial staff approval or renewal of staff approval shall be accompanied by a fee of fifteen dollars. Such approvals shall be issued or renewed for a term of two years.
551551
552552 (f) The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall adopt regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to assure that family day care homes, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, shall meet the health, educational and social needs of children utilizing such homes. Such regulations shall ensure that the family day care home is treated as a residence, and not an institutional facility. Such regulations shall specify that each child be protected as age-appropriate by adequate immunization against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, poliomyelitis, measles, mumps, rubella, hemophilus influenzae type B and any other vaccine required by the schedule of active immunization adopted pursuant to section 19a-7f. Such regulations shall provide appropriate exemptions for children for whom such immunization is medically contraindicated and for children whose parents object to such immunization on religious grounds. Such regulations shall also specify conditions under which family day care home providers may administer tests to monitor glucose levels in a child with diagnosed diabetes mellitus, and administer medicinal preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations by the [commissioner] executive director, to a child receiving day care services at a family day care home pursuant to a written order of a physician licensed to practice medicine in this or another state, an advanced practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-94a or a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-12d, and the written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child. Such regulations shall specify appropriate standards for extended care and intermittent short-term overnight care. The [commissioner] executive director shall inform each licensee, by way of a plain language summary provided not later than sixty days after the regulation's effective date, of any new or changed regulations adopted under this subsection with which a licensee must comply.
553553
554554 Sec. 59. Section 19a-87c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
555555
556556 (a) Any person or officer of an association, organization or corporation who shall establish, conduct, maintain or operate a family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, without a current and valid license shall be subject to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars a day for each day that such home is operated without a license.
557557
558558 (b) If the [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood has reason to believe that a violation has occurred for which a civil penalty is authorized by subsection (a) of this section, [he] the executive director may send to such person or officer by certified mail, return receipt requested, or personally serve upon such person or officer, a notice which shall include: (1) A reference to the section or sections of the general statutes or regulations involved; (2) a short and plain statement of the matters asserted or charged; (3) a statement of the maximum civil penalty which may be imposed for such violation; and (4) a statement of the party's right to request a hearing. Such request shall be submitted in writing to the [commissioner] executive director not later than thirty days after the notice is mailed or served.
559559
560560 (c) If such person or officer so requests, the [commissioner] executive director shall hold a hearing on the violation asserted. The hearing shall be held in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. If such person or officer fails to request a hearing or fails to appear at the hearing or if, after the hearing, the [commissioner] executive director finds that the person or officer has committed such violation, the [commissioner] executive director may, in his or her discretion, order that a civil penalty be imposed that is not greater than the penalty stated in the notice. The [commissioner] executive director shall send a copy of any order issued pursuant to this subsection by certified mail, return receipt requested, to the person or officer named in such order.
561561
562562 Sec. 60. Section 19a-87d of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
563563
564564 The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may request the Attorney General to bring an action, in the superior court for the judicial district in which such home is located, to enjoin any person, group of persons, association, organization, corporation, institution or agency, public or private, from maintaining a family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, without a license or in violation of regulations adopted under section 19a-87b, as amended by this act, and satisfactory proof of the lack of a license or the violation of the regulations without more shall entitle the [commissioner] executive director to injunctive relief.
565565
566566 Sec. 61. Section 19a-87e of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
567567
568568 (a) The [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may (1) refuse to license under section 19a-87b, as amended by this act, a person to own, conduct, operate or maintain a family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, (2) refuse to approve under section 19a-87b, as amended by this act, a person to act as an assistant or substitute staff member in a family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, or (3) suspend or revoke the license or approval or take any other action that may be set forth in regulation that may be adopted pursuant to section 19a-79, as amended by this act, if the person who owns, conducts, maintains or operates the family day care home, the person who acts as an assistant or substitute staff member in a family day care home or a person employed in such family day care home in a position connected with the provision of care to a child receiving child day care services, has been convicted, in this state or any other state of a felony, as defined in section 53a-25, involving the use, attempted use or threatened use of physical force against another person, or has a criminal record in this state or any other state that the [commissioner] executive director reasonably believes renders the person unsuitable to own, conduct, operate or maintain or be employed by a family day care home, or act as an assistant or substitute staff member in a family day care home, or if such persons or a person residing in the household has been convicted in this state or any other state of cruelty to persons under section 53-20, injury or risk of injury to or impairing morals of children under section 53-21, abandonment of children under the age of six years under section 53-23, or any felony where the victim of the felony is a child under eighteen years of age, a violation of section 53a-70, 53a-70a, 53a-70b, 53a-71, 53a-72a, 53a-72b or 53a-73a, illegal manufacture, distribution, sale, prescription, dispensing or administration under section 21a-277 or 21a-278, or illegal possession under section 21a-279, or if such person, a person who acts as assistant or substitute staff member in a family day care home or a person employed in such family day care home in a position connected with the provision of care to a child receiving child day care services, either fails to substantially comply with the regulations adopted pursuant to section 19a-87b, as amended by this act, or conducts, operates or maintains the home in a manner which endangers the health, safety and welfare of the children receiving child day care services. Any refusal of a license or approval pursuant to this section shall be rendered in accordance with the provisions of sections 46a-79 to 46a-81, inclusive. Any person whose license or approval has been revoked pursuant to this section shall be ineligible to apply for a license or approval for a period of one year from the effective date of revocation.
569569
570570 (b) When the [commissioner] executive director intends to suspend or revoke a license or approval or take any other action against a license or approval set forth in regulation adopted pursuant to section 19a-79, as amended by this act, the [commissioner] executive director shall notify the licensee or approved staff member in writing of the [commissioner's] executive director's intended action. The licensee or approved staff member may, if aggrieved by such intended action, make application for a hearing in writing over the licensee's or approved staff member's signature to the [commissioner] executive director. The licensee or approved staff member shall state in the application in plain language the reasons why the licensee or approved staff member claims to be aggrieved. The application shall be delivered to the [commissioner] executive director within thirty days of the licensee's or approved staff member's receipt of notification of the intended action. The [commissioner] executive director shall thereupon hold a hearing within sixty days from receipt of such application and shall, at least ten days prior to the date of such hearing, mail a notice, giving the time and place of the hearing, to the licensee or approved staff member. The provisions of this subsection shall not apply to the denial of an initial application for a license or approval under section 19a-87b, as amended by this act, provided the [commissioner] executive director shall notify the applicant of any such denial and the reasons for such denial by mailing written notice to the applicant at the applicant's address shown on the license or approval application.
571571
572572 (c) Any person who is licensed to conduct, operate or maintain a family day care home or approved to act as an assistant or substitute staff member in a family day care home shall notify the [commissioner] executive director of any conviction of the owner, conductor, operator or maintainer of the family day care home or of any person residing in the household or any person employed in such family day care home in a position connected with the provision of care to a child receiving child day care services, of a crime which affects the [commissioner's] executive director's discretion under subsection (a) of this section, immediately upon obtaining knowledge of such conviction. Failure to comply with the notification requirement of this subsection may result in the suspension or revocation of the license or approval or the taking of any other action against a license or approval set forth in regulation adopted pursuant to section 19a-79, as amended by this act, and shall subject the licensee or approved staff member to a civil penalty of not more than one hundred dollars per day for each day after the person obtained knowledge of the conviction.
573573
574574 (d) It shall be a class A misdemeanor for any person seeking employment in a position connected with the provision of care to a child receiving family day care home services to make a false written statement regarding prior criminal convictions pursuant to a form bearing notice to the effect that such false statements are punishable, which statement such person does not believe to be true and is intended to mislead the prospective employer.
575575
576576 (e) Any person having reasonable cause to believe that a family day care home, as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, is operating without a current and valid license or in violation of the regulations adopted under section 19a-87b, as amended by this act, or in a manner which may pose a potential danger to the health, welfare and safety of a child receiving child day care services, may report such information to [any office of the Department of Public Health] the Office of Early Childhood. The [department] office shall investigate any report or complaint received pursuant to this subsection. The name of the person making the report or complaint shall not be disclosed unless (1) such person consents to such disclosure, (2) a judicial or administrative proceeding results from such report or complaint, or (3) a license action pursuant to subsection (a) of this section results from such report or complaint. All records obtained by the [department] office in connection with any such investigation shall not be subject to the provisions of section 1-210 for a period of thirty days from the date of the petition or other event initiating such investigation, or until such time as the investigation is terminated pursuant to a withdrawal or other informal disposition or until a hearing is convened pursuant to chapter 54, whichever is earlier. A formal statement of charges issued by the [department] office shall be subject to the provisions of section 1-210 from the time that it is served or mailed to the respondent. Records which are otherwise public records shall not be deemed confidential merely because they have been obtained in connection with an investigation under this section.
577577
578578 Sec. 62. Section 8-210 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
579579
580580 (a) The state, acting by and in the discretion of the Commissioner of Social Services or the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, as appropriate, may enter into a contract with a municipality or a qualified private, nonprofit corporation for state financial assistance for the planning, construction, renovation, site preparation and purchase of improved or unimproved property as part of a capital development project for neighborhood facilities. Such facilities may include, but are not limited to, child day care facilities, elderly centers, multipurpose human resource centers, emergency shelters for the homeless and shelters for victims of domestic violence. The financial assistance shall be in the form of state grants-in-aid equal to (1) all or any portion of the cost of such capital development project if the grantee is a qualified private nonprofit corporation, or (2) up to two-thirds of the cost of such capital development project if the grantee is a municipality, as determined by the Commissioner of Social Services or the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, as appropriate.
581581
582582 (b) The state, acting by and in the discretion of the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, may enter into a contract with a municipality, a human resource development agency or a nonprofit corporation for state financial assistance in developing and operating child day care centers for children disadvantaged by reasons of economic, social or environmental conditions, provided no such financial assistance shall be available for the operating costs of any such day care center unless it has been licensed by the [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood pursuant to section 19a-80, as amended by this act. Such financial assistance shall be available for a program of a municipality, of a human resource development agency or of a nonprofit corporation which may provide for personnel, equipment, supplies, activities, program materials and renovation and remodeling of physical facilities of such day care centers. Such contract shall provide for state financial assistance, within available appropriations, in the form of a state grant-in-aid (1) for a portion of the cost of such program as determined by the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, if not federally assisted, or (2) equal to one-half of the amount by which the net cost of such program as approved by the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood exceeds the federal grant-in-aid thereof. The [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may authorize child day care centers provided financial assistance pursuant to this subsection to apply a program surplus to the next program year. The [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall consult with directors of child day care centers in establishing fees for the operation of such centers.
583583
584584 (c) The [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood, in consultation with representatives from child care centers, within available appropriations, shall develop guidelines for state-contracted child care center programs. The guidelines shall include standards for program quality and design and identify short and long-term outcomes for families participating in such programs. The [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood, within available appropriations, shall provide a copy of such guidelines to each state-contracted child care center. Each state-contracted child care center shall use the guidelines to develop a program improvement plan for the next twelve-month period and shall submit the plan to the [department] office. The plan shall include goals to be used for measuring such improvement. The [department] office shall use the plan to monitor the progress of the center.
585585
586586 (d) The state, acting by and in the discretion of the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may enter into a contract with a municipality, a human resource development agency or a nonprofit corporation for state financial assistance for a project of renovation of any child day care facility receiving assistance pursuant to the provisions of this section, to make such facility accessible to the physically disabled, in the form of a state grant-in-aid equal to (1) the total net cost of the project as approved by the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, or (2) the total amount by which the net cost of the project as approved by the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood exceeds the federal grant-in-aid thereof.
587587
588588 (e) Any municipality, human resource development agency or nonprofit corporation which enters into a contract pursuant to this section for state financial assistance for a day care facility shall have sole responsibility for the development of the budget of the day care program, including, but not limited to, personnel costs, purchases of equipment, supplies, activities and program materials, within the resources provided by the state under said contract. Upon local determination of a change in the type of day care service required in the area, a municipality, human resource development agency or nonprofit corporation may, within the limits of its annual budget and subject to the provisions of this subsection and sections 19a-77 to 19a-80, inclusive, as amended by this act, and 19a-82 to 19a-87a, inclusive, as amended by this act, change its day care service. An application to change the type of child day care service provided shall be submitted to the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood. Not later than forty-five days after the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood receives the application, the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood shall advise the municipality, human resource development agency or nonprofit corporation of the [Commissioner of Education's] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood's approval, denial or approval with modifications of the application. If the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood fails to act on the application not later than forty-five days after the application's submittal, the application shall be deemed approved.
589589
590590 (f) The [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may, in his discretion, with the approval of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and Management authorize the expenditure of such funds for the purposes of this section as shall enable the [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood to apply for, qualify for and provide the state's share of a federally assisted day care program.
591591
592592 Sec. 63. Subsection (a) of section 10a-194c of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
593593
594594 (a) The Connecticut Health and Educational Facilities Authority shall establish a program to finance low interest loans for child care and child development centers, family resource centers and Head Start programs that shall be known as the Connecticut Child Care Facilities Program. Loans shall be made for the purpose of new construction or renovation of existing centers or complying with federal, state and local child care requirements, including health and safety standards. For purposes of this section, "child development center" means a building used by a nonprofit school readiness program, as defined in section 10-16p, as amended by this act, and "child care center" means a nonprofit facility that is licensed by the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood as a child day care center or a group day care home, both as defined in section 19a-77, as amended by this act.
595595
596596 Sec. 64. Section 12-634 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
597597
598598 The Commissioner of Revenue Services shall grant a credit against any tax due under the provisions of chapter 207, 208, 209, 210, 211 or 212 in an amount not to exceed sixty per cent of the total cash amount invested during the taxable year by the business firm in programs operated or created pursuant to proposals approved pursuant to section 12-632 for planning, site preparation, construction, renovation or acquisition of facilities for purposes of establishing a child day care facility to be used primarily by the children of such business firm's employees and equipment installed for such facility, including kitchen appliances, to the extent that such equipment or appliances are necessary in the use of such facility for purposes of child day care, provided: (1) Such facility is operated under the authority of a license issued by the [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood in accordance with sections 19a-77, as amended by this act, to 19a-87, inclusive, as amended by this act, (2) such facility is operated without profit by such business firm related to any charges imposed for the use of such facility for purposes of child day care, and (3) the amount of tax credit allowed any business firm under the provisions of this section for any income year may not exceed fifty thousand dollars. If two or more business firms share in the cost of establishing such a facility for the children of their employees, each such taxpayer shall be allowed such credit in relation to the respective share, paid or incurred by such taxpayer, of the total expenditures for the facility in such income year. The commissioner shall not grant a credit pursuant to this section to any taxpayer claiming a credit for the same year pursuant to section 12-217x.
599599
600600 Sec. 65. Subsection (b) of section 17a-101 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
601601
602602 (b) The following persons shall be mandated reporters: Any physician or surgeon licensed under the provisions of chapter 370, any resident physician or intern in any hospital in this state, whether or not so licensed, any registered nurse, licensed practical nurse, medical examiner, dentist, dental hygienist or psychologist, a school employee, as defined in section 53a-65, social worker, police officer, juvenile or adult probation officer, juvenile or adult parole officer, member of the clergy, pharmacist, physical therapist, optometrist, chiropractor, podiatrist, mental health professional or physician assistant, any person who is a licensed or certified emergency medical services provider, any person who is a licensed or certified alcohol and drug counselor, any person who is a licensed marital and family therapist, any person who is a sexual assault counselor or a battered women's counselor, as defined in section 52-146k, any person who is a licensed professional counselor, any person who is a licensed foster parent, any person paid to care for a child in any public or private facility, child day care center, group day care home or family day care home licensed by the state, any employee of the Department of Children and Families, any employee of the [Department of Public Health] Office of Early Childhood who is responsible for the licensing of child day care centers, group day care homes [,] or family day care homes, [or] any employee of the Department of Public Health who is responsible for the licensing of youth camps, the Child Advocate and any employee of the Office of the Child Advocate and any family relations counselor, family relations counselor trainee or family services supervisor employed by the Judicial Department.
603603
604604 Sec. 66. Subsection (b) of section 17b-90 of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2014):
605605
606606 (b) No person shall, except for purposes directly connected with the administration of programs of the Department of Social Services and in accordance with the regulations of the commissioner, solicit, disclose, receive or make use of, or authorize, knowingly permit, participate in or acquiesce in the use of, any list of the names of, or any information concerning, persons applying for or receiving assistance from the Department of Social Services or persons participating in a program administered by said department, directly or indirectly derived from the records, papers, files or communications of the state or its subdivisions or agencies, or acquired in the course of the performance of official duties. The Commissioner of Social Services shall disclose (1) to any authorized representative of the Labor Commissioner such information directly related to unemployment compensation, administered pursuant to chapter 567 or information necessary for implementation of sections 17b-688b, 17b-688c and 17b-688h and section 122 of public act 97-2 of the June 18 special session, (2) to any authorized representative of the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services any information necessary for the implementation and operation of the basic needs supplement program or the Medicaid program for low-income adults, established pursuant to section 17b-261n, (3) to any authorized representative of the Commissioner of Administrative Services or the Commissioner of Emergency Services and Public Protection such information as the Commissioner of Social Services determines is directly related to and necessary for the Department of Administrative Services or the Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection for purposes of performing their functions of collecting social services recoveries and overpayments or amounts due as support in social services cases, investigating social services fraud or locating absent parents of public assistance recipients, (4) to any authorized representative of the Commissioner of Children and Families necessary information concerning a child or the immediate family of a child receiving services from the Department of Social Services, including safety net services, if the Commissioner of Children and Families or the Commissioner of Social Services has determined that imminent danger to such child's health, safety or welfare exists to target the services of the family services programs administered by the Department of Children and Families, (5) to a town official or other contractor or authorized representative of the Labor Commissioner such information concerning an applicant for or a recipient of assistance under state-administered general assistance deemed necessary by the Commissioner of Social Services and the Labor Commissioner to carry out their respective responsibilities to serve such persons under the programs administered by the Labor Department that are designed to serve applicants for or recipients of state-administered general assistance, (6) to any authorized representative of the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services for the purposes of the behavioral health managed care program established by section 17a-453, (7) to any authorized representative of the [Commissioner of Public Health] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood to carry out his or her respective responsibilities under programs that regulate child day care services or to any authorized representative of the Commissioner of Public Health to carry out his or her respective responsibilities under programs that regulate youth camps, (8) to a health insurance provider, in IV-D support cases, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, information concerning a child and the custodial parent of such child that is necessary to enroll such child in a health insurance plan available through such provider when the noncustodial parent of such child is under court order to provide health insurance coverage but is unable to provide such information, provided the Commissioner of Social Services determines, after providing prior notice of the disclosure to such custodial parent and an opportunity for such parent to object, that such disclosure is in the best interests of the child, (9) to any authorized representative of the Department of Correction, in IV-D support cases, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, information concerning noncustodial parents that is necessary to identify inmates or parolees with IV-D support cases who may benefit from Department of Correction educational, training, skill building, work or rehabilitation programming that will significantly increase an inmate's or parolee's ability to fulfill such inmate's support obligation, (10) to any authorized representative of the Judicial Branch, in IV-D support cases, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, information concerning noncustodial parents that is necessary to: (A) Identify noncustodial parents with IV-D support cases who may benefit from educational, training, skill building, work or rehabilitation programming that will significantly increase such parent's ability to fulfill such parent's support obligation, (B) assist in the administration of the Title IV-D child support program, or (C) assist in the identification of cases involving family violence, or (11) to any authorized representative of the State Treasurer, in IV-D support cases, as defined in subdivision (13) of subsection (b) of section 46b-231, information that is necessary to identify child support obligors who owe overdue child support prior to the Treasurer's payment of such obligors' claim for any property unclaimed or presumed abandoned under part III of chapter 32. No such representative shall disclose any information obtained pursuant to this section, except as specified in this section. Any applicant for assistance provided through said department shall be notified that, if and when such applicant receives benefits, the department will be providing law enforcement officials with the address of such applicant upon the request of any such official pursuant to section 17b-16a.
607607
608608 Sec. 67. Subsection (a) of section 10-16mm of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
609609
610610 (a) There is established a task force to address the academic achievement gaps in Connecticut by considering effective approaches to closing the achievement gaps in elementary, middle and high schools. The task force shall develop, in consultation with the Department of Education, the Connecticut State University System, the Interagency Council for Ending the Achievement Gap established pursuant to section 10-16nn, and the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, a master plan to eliminate the academic achievement gaps by January 1, 2020. Such master plan shall: (1) Identify the achievement gaps that exist among and between (A) racial groups, (B) ethnic groups, (C) socioeconomic groups, (D) genders, and (E) English language learners and students whose primary language is English; (2) focus efforts on closing the achievement gaps identified in subdivision (1) of this subsection; (3) establish annual benchmarks for implementation of the master plan and closing the achievement gaps; and (4) make recommendations regarding the creation of a Secretary of Education. [; and (5) develop a plan for (A) changing the requirement for when a child five years of age may enroll in kindergarten pursuant to section 10-15c from January first of the school year to October first of the school year, and (B) the creation of spaces in school readiness programs for those children who reach the age of five after October first of any school year and are no longer eligible to enroll in kindergarten for such school year.] The task force may amend such master plan at any time. For purposes of this section, "achievement gaps" means the existence of a significant disparity in the academic performance of students among and between (A) racial groups, (B) ethnic groups, (C) socioeconomic groups, (D) genders, and (E) English language learners and students whose primary language is English.
611611
612612 Sec. 68. Section 10-4o of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
613613
614614 (a) The [Department of Education, in conjunction with the Department of Social Services] Office of Early Childhood, in consultation with the Department of Education, shall coordinate a family resource center program to provide comprehensive child care services, remedial educational and literacy services, families-in-training programs and supportive services to parents who are recipients of temporary family assistance and other parents in need of such services. The family resource centers shall be located in or associated with public schools, and any family resource center established on or after July 1, 2000, shall be located in a public elementary school unless the executive director of the Office of Early Childhood, in consultation with the Commissioner of Education, waives such requirement. The [commissioner] executive director shall determine the manner in which the grant recipients of such program, such as municipalities, boards of education and child care providers shall be selected. The family resource center shall provide: (1) Quality full-day child care and school readiness programs for children age three and older who are not enrolled in school and child care for children enrolled in school up to the age of twelve for before and after regular school hours and on a full-day basis during school holidays and school vacation, in compliance with all state statutes and regulations governing child day care and, in the case of the school readiness programs, in compliance with the standards set for such programs pursuant to section 10-16p, as amended by this act; (2) support services to parents of newborn infants to ascertain their needs and provide them with referrals to other services and organizations and, if necessary, education in parenting skills; (3) support and educational services to parents whose children are participants of the child care services of the program and who are interested in obtaining a high school diploma or its equivalent. Parents and their preschool age children may attend classes in parenting and child learning skills together so as to promote the mutual pursuit of education and enhance parent-child interaction; (4) training, technical assistance and other support by the staff of the center to family day care providers in the community and serve as an information and referral system for other child care needs in the community or coordinate with such systems as may already exist in the community; (5) a families-in-training program to provide, within available appropriations, community support services to expectant parents and parents of children under the age of three. Such services shall include, but not be limited to, providing information and advice to parents on their children's language, cognitive, social and motor development, visiting a participant's home on a regular basis, organizing group meetings at the center for neighborhood parents of young children and providing a reference center for parents who need special assistance or services. The program shall provide for the recruitment of parents to participate in such program; and (6) a sliding scale of payment, as developed by the office, in consultation with the Department of Social Services, for child care services at the center. The center shall also provide a teen pregnancy prevention program for adolescents emphasizing responsible decision-making and communication skills.
615615
616616 (b) The [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood, in consultation with representatives from family resource centers, within available appropriations, shall develop guidelines for family resource center programs. The guidelines shall include standards for program quality and design and identify short and long-term outcomes for families participating in such programs. The [Department of Education] office, within available appropriations, shall provide a copy of such guidelines to each family resource center. Each family resource center shall use the guidelines to develop a program improvement plan for the next twelve-month period and shall submit the plan to the [department] office. The plan shall include goals to be used for measuring such improvement. The [department] office shall use the plan to monitor the progress of the center. Family resource centers in existence on July 1, 1997, shall be given a preference for grants for school readiness awarded by the [Department of Education or the Department of Social Services] office and for financing pursuant to sections 10a-194c, 17b-749g and 17b-749h, as amended by this act.
617617
618618 (c) The Office of Early Childhood, in consultation with the Department of Education, within available appropriations, shall provide for a longitudinal study of family resource centers every three years.
619619
620620 (d) The [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may provide grants to municipalities, boards of education and child care providers to carry out the purposes of subsection (a) of this section. Each family resource center shall have a program administrator who has at least two years of experience in child care, public administration or early childhood education and a master's degree in child development, early childhood education or a related field.
621621
622622 (e) The [Commissioner of Education] executive director of the Office of Early Childhood may accept and receive on behalf of the [department] Office of Early Childhood or any family resource center, subject to section 4b-22, any bequest, devise or grant made to the [department] office or any family resource center for the purpose of establishing a new family resource center or expanding an existing center, and may hold and use such property for the purpose specified in such bequest, devise or gift.
623623
624624 Sec. 69. (Effective July 1, 2013) The Office of Early Childhood shall conduct a regression discontinuity study of all state-funded early childhood programs in the state. Such study shall examine each child enrolled in such state-funded early childhood programs for the school year commencing July 1, 2013, and determine such child's readiness to enter kindergarten. Not later than January 1, 2015, the office shall submit a report on the findings of such regression discontinuity study to the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes.
625625
626626 Sec. 70. Section 10-16dd of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
627627
628628 The [Department of Education] Office of Early Childhood, in collaboration with the Department of Education and the Governor's Early Care and Education Cabinet, shall develop a system for the sharing of information between preschool and school readiness programs and kindergarten regarding children's oral language and preliteracy proficiency.
629629
630630 Sec. 71. Subsection (a) of section 2c-2h of the general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2013):
631631
632632 (a) Not later than July 1, 2014, and not later than every ten years thereafter, the joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of any of the following governmental entities or programs shall conduct a review of the applicable entity or program in accordance with the provisions of section 2c-3:
633633
634634 (1) Connecticut Examining Board for Barbers and Hairdressers and Cosmeticians, established under section 20-235a;
635635
636636 (2) Board of Chiropractic Examiners, established under section 20-25;
637637
638638 (3) Board of Examiners of Electrologists, established under section 20-268;
639639
640640 (4) Liquor Control Commission, established under section 30-2;
641641
642642 [(5) The Child Day Care Council, established under section 17b-748;]
643643
644644 [(6)] (5) State Insurance and Risk Management Board, established under section 4a-19;
645645
646646 [(7)] (6) State Milk Regulation Board, established under section 22-131; and
647647
648648 [(8)] (7) State Codes and Standards Committee, established under section 29-251.
649649
650650 Sec. 72. Section 17b-748 of the general statutes is repealed. (Effective July 1, 2013)
651651
652652
653653
654654
655655 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
656656 Section 1 July 1, 2013 New section
657657 Sec. 2 July 1, 2013 4-5
658658 Sec. 3 July 1, 2013 10-16bb
659659 Sec. 4 July 1, 2013 10-16cc
660660 Sec. 5 July 1, 2013 10-266p(a)
661661 Sec. 6 July 1, 2013 10-16n
662662 Sec. 7 July 1, 2013 10-16p
663663 Sec. 8 July 1, 2013 10-16q
664664 Sec. 9 July 1, 2014 10-16r(b)
665665 Sec. 10 July 1, 2013 10-16s
666666 Sec. 11 July 1, 2013 10-16u
667667 Sec. 12 July 1, 2013 10-16w
668668 Sec. 13 July 1, 2013 10-16z
669669 Sec. 14 July 1, 2013 10-16aa
670670 Sec. 15 July 1, 2013 New section
671671 Sec. 16 July 1, 2013 17b-2
672672 Sec. 17 July 1, 2013 17b-705a(c) to (e)
673673 Sec. 18 July 1, 2014 17b-12
674674 Sec. 19 July 1, 2013 17b-730
675675 Sec. 20 July 1, 2013 17b-733
676676 Sec. 21 July 1, 2014 17b-734
677677 Sec. 22 July 1, 2014 17b-735(a)
678678 Sec. 23 July 1, 2014 17b-736
679679 Sec. 24 July 1, 2013 17b-737
680680 Sec. 25 July 1, 2014 17b-738
681681 Sec. 26 July 1, 2013 17b-739
682682 Sec. 27 July 1, 2013 17b-749
683683 Sec. 28 July 1, 2014 17b-749a
684684 Sec. 29 July 1, 2013 17b-749c(a)
685685 Sec. 30 July 1, 2013 17b-749d
686686 Sec. 31 July 1, 2014 17b-749e
687687 Sec. 32 July 1, 2013 17b-749f
688688 Sec. 33 July 1, 2014 17b-749g
689689 Sec. 34 July 1, 2014 17b-749h
690690 Sec. 35 July 1, 2014 17b-749i
691691 Sec. 36 July 1, 2013 17b-749j
692692 Sec. 37 July 1, 2013 17b-749k
693693 Sec. 38 July 1, 2013 17b-750
694694 Sec. 39 July 1, 2014 17b-751
695695 Sec. 40 July 1, 2014 17b-751a
696696 Sec. 41 July 1, 2014 17b-751d
697697 Sec. 42 July 1, 2014 17b-751e
698698 Sec. 43 July 1, 2014 17a-248
699699 Sec. 44 July 1, 2014 17a-248b
700700 Sec. 45 July 1, 2014 17a-248c(a)
701701 Sec. 46 July 1, 2014 17a-248d(d)
702702 Sec. 47 July 1, 2014 17a-248g(d) and (e)
703703 Sec. 48 July 1, 2014 New section
704704 Sec. 49 July 1, 2014 17a-28(g)(11)
705705 Sec. 50 July 1, 2014 19a-77
706706 Sec. 51 July 1, 2014 19a-79
707707 Sec. 52 July 1, 2014 19a-80
708708 Sec. 53 July 1, 2014 19a-80f
709709 Sec. 54 July 1, 2014 19a-82
710710 Sec. 55 July 1, 2014 19a-86
711711 Sec. 56 July 1, 2014 19a-87
712712 Sec. 57 July 1, 2014 19a-87a
713713 Sec. 58 July 1, 2014 19a-87b
714714 Sec. 59 July 1, 2014 19a-87c
715715 Sec. 60 July 1, 2014 19a-87d
716716 Sec. 61 July 1, 2014 19a-87e
717717 Sec. 62 July 1, 2014 8-210
718718 Sec. 63 July 1, 2014 10a-194c(a)
719719 Sec. 64 July 1, 2014 12-634
720720 Sec. 65 July 1, 2014 17a-101(b)
721721 Sec. 66 July 1, 2014 17b-90(b)
722722 Sec. 67 July 1, 2013 10-16mm(a)
723723 Sec. 68 July 1, 2013 10-4o
724724 Sec. 69 July 1, 2013 New section
725725 Sec. 70 July 1, 2013 10-16dd
726726 Sec. 71 July 1, 2013 2c-2h(a)
727727 Sec. 72 July 1, 2013 Repealer section
728728
729729 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections:
730730
731731 Section 1
732732
733733 July 1, 2013
734734
735735 New section
736736
737737 Sec. 2
738738
739739 July 1, 2013
740740
741741 4-5
742742
743743 Sec. 3
744744
745745 July 1, 2013
746746
747747 10-16bb
748748
749749 Sec. 4
750750
751751 July 1, 2013
752752
753753 10-16cc
754754
755755 Sec. 5
756756
757757 July 1, 2013
758758
759759 10-266p(a)
760760
761761 Sec. 6
762762
763763 July 1, 2013
764764
765765 10-16n
766766
767767 Sec. 7
768768
769769 July 1, 2013
770770
771771 10-16p
772772
773773 Sec. 8
774774
775775 July 1, 2013
776776
777777 10-16q
778778
779779 Sec. 9
780780
781781 July 1, 2014
782782
783783 10-16r(b)
784784
785785 Sec. 10
786786
787787 July 1, 2013
788788
789789 10-16s
790790
791791 Sec. 11
792792
793793 July 1, 2013
794794
795795 10-16u
796796
797797 Sec. 12
798798
799799 July 1, 2013
800800
801801 10-16w
802802
803803 Sec. 13
804804
805805 July 1, 2013
806806
807807 10-16z
808808
809809 Sec. 14
810810
811811 July 1, 2013
812812
813813 10-16aa
814814
815815 Sec. 15
816816
817817 July 1, 2013
818818
819819 New section
820820
821821 Sec. 16
822822
823823 July 1, 2013
824824
825825 17b-2
826826
827827 Sec. 17
828828
829829 July 1, 2013
830830
831831 17b-705a(c) to (e)
832832
833833 Sec. 18
834834
835835 July 1, 2014
836836
837837 17b-12
838838
839839 Sec. 19
840840
841841 July 1, 2013
842842
843843 17b-730
844844
845845 Sec. 20
846846
847847 July 1, 2013
848848
849849 17b-733
850850
851851 Sec. 21
852852
853853 July 1, 2014
854854
855855 17b-734
856856
857857 Sec. 22
858858
859859 July 1, 2014
860860
861861 17b-735(a)
862862
863863 Sec. 23
864864
865865 July 1, 2014
866866
867867 17b-736
868868
869869 Sec. 24
870870
871871 July 1, 2013
872872
873873 17b-737
874874
875875 Sec. 25
876876
877877 July 1, 2014
878878
879879 17b-738
880880
881881 Sec. 26
882882
883883 July 1, 2013
884884
885885 17b-739
886886
887887 Sec. 27
888888
889889 July 1, 2013
890890
891891 17b-749
892892
893893 Sec. 28
894894
895895 July 1, 2014
896896
897897 17b-749a
898898
899899 Sec. 29
900900
901901 July 1, 2013
902902
903903 17b-749c(a)
904904
905905 Sec. 30
906906
907907 July 1, 2013
908908
909909 17b-749d
910910
911911 Sec. 31
912912
913913 July 1, 2014
914914
915915 17b-749e
916916
917917 Sec. 32
918918
919919 July 1, 2013
920920
921921 17b-749f
922922
923923 Sec. 33
924924
925925 July 1, 2014
926926
927927 17b-749g
928928
929929 Sec. 34
930930
931931 July 1, 2014
932932
933933 17b-749h
934934
935935 Sec. 35
936936
937937 July 1, 2014
938938
939939 17b-749i
940940
941941 Sec. 36
942942
943943 July 1, 2013
944944
945945 17b-749j
946946
947947 Sec. 37
948948
949949 July 1, 2013
950950
951951 17b-749k
952952
953953 Sec. 38
954954
955955 July 1, 2013
956956
957957 17b-750
958958
959959 Sec. 39
960960
961961 July 1, 2014
962962
963963 17b-751
964964
965965 Sec. 40
966966
967967 July 1, 2014
968968
969969 17b-751a
970970
971971 Sec. 41
972972
973973 July 1, 2014
974974
975975 17b-751d
976976
977977 Sec. 42
978978
979979 July 1, 2014
980980
981981 17b-751e
982982
983983 Sec. 43
984984
985985 July 1, 2014
986986
987987 17a-248
988988
989989 Sec. 44
990990
991991 July 1, 2014
992992
993993 17a-248b
994994
995995 Sec. 45
996996
997997 July 1, 2014
998998
999999 17a-248c(a)
10001000
10011001 Sec. 46
10021002
10031003 July 1, 2014
10041004
10051005 17a-248d(d)
10061006
10071007 Sec. 47
10081008
10091009 July 1, 2014
10101010
10111011 17a-248g(d) and (e)
10121012
10131013 Sec. 48
10141014
10151015 July 1, 2014
10161016
10171017 New section
10181018
10191019 Sec. 49
10201020
10211021 July 1, 2014
10221022
10231023 17a-28(g)(11)
10241024
10251025 Sec. 50
10261026
10271027 July 1, 2014
10281028
10291029 19a-77
10301030
10311031 Sec. 51
10321032
10331033 July 1, 2014
10341034
10351035 19a-79
10361036
10371037 Sec. 52
10381038
10391039 July 1, 2014
10401040
10411041 19a-80
10421042
10431043 Sec. 53
10441044
10451045 July 1, 2014
10461046
10471047 19a-80f
10481048
10491049 Sec. 54
10501050
10511051 July 1, 2014
10521052
10531053 19a-82
10541054
10551055 Sec. 55
10561056
10571057 July 1, 2014
10581058
10591059 19a-86
10601060
10611061 Sec. 56
10621062
10631063 July 1, 2014
10641064
10651065 19a-87
10661066
10671067 Sec. 57
10681068
10691069 July 1, 2014
10701070
10711071 19a-87a
10721072
10731073 Sec. 58
10741074
10751075 July 1, 2014
10761076
10771077 19a-87b
10781078
10791079 Sec. 59
10801080
10811081 July 1, 2014
10821082
10831083 19a-87c
10841084
10851085 Sec. 60
10861086
10871087 July 1, 2014
10881088
10891089 19a-87d
10901090
10911091 Sec. 61
10921092
10931093 July 1, 2014
10941094
10951095 19a-87e
10961096
10971097 Sec. 62
10981098
10991099 July 1, 2014
11001100
11011101 8-210
11021102
11031103 Sec. 63
11041104
11051105 July 1, 2014
11061106
11071107 10a-194c(a)
11081108
11091109 Sec. 64
11101110
11111111 July 1, 2014
11121112
11131113 12-634
11141114
11151115 Sec. 65
11161116
11171117 July 1, 2014
11181118
11191119 17a-101(b)
11201120
11211121 Sec. 66
11221122
11231123 July 1, 2014
11241124
11251125 17b-90(b)
11261126
11271127 Sec. 67
11281128
11291129 July 1, 2013
11301130
11311131 10-16mm(a)
11321132
11331133 Sec. 68
11341134
11351135 July 1, 2013
11361136
11371137 10-4o
11381138
11391139 Sec. 69
11401140
11411141 July 1, 2013
11421142
11431143 New section
11441144
11451145 Sec. 70
11461146
11471147 July 1, 2013
11481148
11491149 10-16dd
11501150
11511151 Sec. 71
11521152
11531153 July 1, 2013
11541154
11551155 2c-2h(a)
11561156
11571157 Sec. 72
11581158
11591159 July 1, 2013
11601160
11611161 Repealer section
11621162
1163+Statement of Legislative Commissioners:
1164+
1165+In section 1(b)(4) added internal reference for accuracy and clarity; in section 1(c) added reference to schools under the jurisdiction of a board of education for accuracy and consistency; in section 1(d) removed internal reference to section 17b-373 for accuracy; in section 6, section 10-16n(b), updated obsolete references to "aid to dependent children program" with "temporary family assistance program" for accuracy; in section 7, section 10-16p(c)(3), relocated the phrase "on or before June 30, 2014, and on and after July 1, 2014, from the Office of Early Childhood" for accuracy; in section 7, section 10-16p(h), bracketed references to "commissioner" and added "executive director" for accuracy and consistency; in section 8, section 10-16q(d), corrected an internal reference for accuracy; in section 13, section 10-16z(b), replaced "office" with "the cabinet" for accuracy; and section 71 was added and the remaining section was renumbered for accuracy and consistency.
1166+
11631167
11641168
11651169 ED Joint Favorable Subst. C/R FIN
11661170 FIN Joint Favorable Subst.-LCO
1167-KID Joint Favorable
11681171
11691172 ED
11701173
11711174 Joint Favorable Subst. C/R
11721175
11731176 FIN
11741177
11751178 FIN
11761179
11771180 Joint Favorable Subst.-LCO
1178-
1179-KID
1180-
1181-Joint Favorable