LCO \\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001-R03- SB.docx 1 of 43 General Assembly Substitute Bill No. 1 February Session, 2022 AN ACT CONCERNING CHILDHOOD MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH SERVICES IN SCHOOLS. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General Assembly convened: Section 1. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) Not later than January 1, 1 2023, and annually thereafter, the Commissioner of Education shall, 2 within available appropriations, develop and distribute a survey to each 3 local and regional board of education concerning the employment of 4 school social workers, school psychologists, school counselors and 5 school nurses by such local or regional board of education. Such survey 6 shall include, but need not be limited to, (1) the total number of (A) 7 school social workers employed by each local or regional board of 8 education, (B) school psychologists employed by each local or regional 9 board of education, (C) school counselors employed by each local and 10 regional board of education, and (D) school nurses employed by each 11 local and regional board of education; (2) the number of (A) school social 12 workers assigned to each school under the jurisdiction of the local or 13 regional board of education, including whether any such school social 14 worker is assigned solely to that school or whether such school social 15 worker is assigned to multiple schools, (B) school psychologists 16 assigned to each school under the jurisdiction of the local or regional 17 board of education, including whether any such school psychologist is 18 assigned solely to that school or whether such school psychologist is 19 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 2 of 43 assigned to multiple schools, (C) school counselors assigned to each 20 school under the jurisdiction of the local or regional board of education, 21 including whether any such school counselor is assigned solely to that 22 school or whether such school counselor is assigned to multiple schools, 23 and (D) school nurses assigned to each school under the jurisdiction of 24 the local or regional board of education, including whether any such 25 school nurse is assigned solely to that school or whether such school 26 nurse is assigned to multiple schools; (3) the geographic area covered by 27 (A) any such school social worker who provides services to more than 28 one local or regional board of education, (B) any such school 29 psychologist who provides services to more than one local or regional 30 board of education, (C) any such school counselor who provides 31 services to more than one local or regional board of education, and (D) 32 any such school nurse who provides services to more than one local or 33 regional board of education; and (4) an estimate of the annual number 34 of students who have received direct services from each individual (A) 35 school social worker employed by a local or regional board of education 36 during the five-year period preceding completion of the survey, (B) 37 school psychologist employed by a local or regional board of education 38 during the five-year period preceding completion of the survey, (C) 39 school counselor employed by a local or regional board of education 40 during the five-year period preceding completion of the survey, and (D) 41 school nurse employed by a local or regional board of education during 42 the five-year period preceding completion of the survey. 43 (b) For the school year commencing July 1, 2022, and each school year 44 thereafter, each local and regional board of education shall annually 45 complete the survey developed and distributed pursuant to subsection 46 (a) of this section to the commissioner, and submit such completed 47 survey to the commissioner, at such time and in such manner as the 48 commissioner prescribes. 49 (c) Following the receipt of a completed survey from a local or 50 regional board of education, the commissioner shall annually calculate 51 (1) a student-to-school social worker ratio for (A) such board of 52 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 3 of 43 education, and (B) each school under the jurisdiction of such board of 53 education, (2) a student-to-school psychologist ratio for (A) such board 54 of education, and (B) each school under the jurisdiction of such board of 55 education, (3) a student-to-school counselor ratio for (A) such board of 56 education, and (B) each school under the jurisdiction of such board of 57 education, and (4) a student-to-school nurse ratio for (A) such board of 58 education, and (B) each school under the jurisdiction of such board of 59 education. 60 (d) Not later than January 1, 2023, and annually thereafter, the 61 commissioner shall submit a report, in accordance with the provisions 62 of section 11-4a of the general statutes, on the results of the survey 63 completed under this section and the student-to-school social worker 64 ratios, student-to-school psychologist ratios, student-to-school 65 counselor ratios and student-to-school nurse ratios calculated pursuant 66 to subsection (c) of this section, to the joint standing committees of the 67 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education 68 and children. 69 Sec. 2. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) For the fiscal years ending 70 June 30, 2023, to June 30, 2025, inclusive, the Department of Education 71 shall administer a grant program to provide grants to local and regional 72 boards of education for the purpose of hiring and retaining additional 73 school social workers, school psychologists, school counselors and 74 school nurses. For purposes of this section, "school social worker" means 75 a person who holds a professional educator certificate issued by the 76 State Board of Education pursuant to section 10-145b of the general 77 statutes, with a school social worker endorsement. 78 (b) Applications for grants pursuant to subsection (a) of this section 79 shall be filed with the Commissioner of Education at such time and in 80 such manner as the commissioner prescribes. As part of the application, 81 an applicant shall submit a (1) plan for the expenditure of grant funds, 82 and (2) copy of the completed survey described in section 1 of this act. 83 Such plan shall include, but need not be limited to, the number of 84 additional school social workers, school psychologists, school 85 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 4 of 43 counselors or school nurses to be hired, the number of school social 86 workers, school psychologists, school counselors or school nurses being 87 retained who were previously hired with the assistance of grant funds 88 awarded under this section, whether such school social workers, school 89 psychologists, school counselors or school nurses will be conducting 90 assessments of students or providing services to students based on the 91 results of assessments, and the type of services that will be provided by 92 such school social workers, school psychologists, school counselors and 93 school nurses. 94 (c) In determining whether to award an applicant a grant under this 95 section, the commissioner shall give priority to those school districts (1) 96 with large student-to-school social worker ratios, student-to-school 97 psychologist ratios, student-to-school counselor ratios, or student-to-98 school nurse ratios, or (2) that have a high volume of student utilization 99 of mental health services. 100 (d) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, the commissioner may 101 award a grant to an applicant and shall determine the amount of the 102 grant award based on the plan submitted by such applicant pursuant to 103 subsection (b) of this section. The commissioner shall pay a grant to each 104 grant recipient in each of the fiscal years ending June 30, 2023, to June 105 30, 2025, inclusive, as follows: (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, 106 the amount of the grant shall be as determined by the commissioner 107 under this subsection; (2) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, the 108 amount of the grant shall be the same amount as the grant awarded for 109 the prior fiscal year; and (3) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, the 110 amount of the grant shall be seventy per cent of the amount of the grant 111 awarded for the prior fiscal year. 112 (e) Grant recipients shall file annual expenditure reports with the 113 department at such time and in such manner as the commissioner 114 prescribes. Grant recipients shall refund to the department (1) any 115 unexpended amounts at the close of the fiscal year in which the grant 116 was awarded, and (2) any amounts not expended in accordance with 117 the plan for which such grant application was approved. 118 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 5 of 43 (f) (1) The department shall annually track and calculate the 119 utilization rate of the grant program for each grant recipient. Such 120 utilization rate shall be calculated using metrics that include, but need 121 not be limited to, the number of students served and the hours of service 122 provided using grant funds awarded under the program. 123 (2) The department shall annually calculate the return on investment 124 for the grant program using the expenditure reports filed pursuant to 125 subsection (e) of this section and the utilization rates calculated 126 pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection. 127 (g) For purposes of carrying out the provisions of this section, the 128 Department of Education may accept funds from private sources or any 129 state agency, gifts, grants and donations, including, but not limited to, 130 in-kind donations. 131 (h) (1) Not later than January 1, 2024, and each January first thereafter 132 until and including January 1, 2026, the commissioner shall submit a 133 report, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general 134 statutes, on the utilization rate for each grant recipient and the return on 135 investment for the grant program, calculated pursuant to subsection (f) 136 of this section, to the joint standing committees of the General Assembly 137 having cognizance of matters relating to education and children. 138 (2) Not later than January 1, 2026, the Commissioner of Education 139 shall develop recommendations concerning (A) whether such grant 140 program should be extended and funded for the fiscal year ending June 141 30, 2026, and each fiscal year thereafter, and (B) the amount of the grant 142 award under the program. The commissioner shall submit such 143 recommendations, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of 144 the general statutes, to the joint standing committees of the General 145 Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and 146 children. 147 Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) The State Board of Education, 148 upon the request of a local or regional board of education or a regional 149 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 6 of 43 educational service center, may issue a human services permit to any 150 applicant with specialized training, experience or expertise in social 151 work, human services, psychology or sociology. Such permit shall 152 authorize a person to be employed by a local or regional board of 153 education or a regional educational service center and to provide, in 154 accordance with such person's scope of practice or within such person's 155 area of expertise or specialty, mental health and human services to 156 students. Such applicant shall (1) hold a bachelor's degree in social 157 work, human services, psychology, sociology or other equivalent 158 subject area from an institution of higher education accredited by the 159 Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education or 160 regionally accredited, and (2) have a minimum of four years of work 161 experience in such subject areas, or one year of work experience and two 162 years of specialized schooling in such subject areas. 163 (b) Each such human services permit shall be valid for three years 164 and may be renewed by the Commissioner of Education for good cause 165 upon the request of the superintendent of schools for the district 166 employing such person or the regional educational service center 167 employing such person. 168 Sec. 4. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) Not later than July 1, 2023, the 169 Department of Education, in collaboration with the governing authority 170 for intramural and interscholastic athletics, shall develop a mental 171 health plan for student athletes to raise awareness of mental health 172 resources available to student athletes. Such plan shall be made 173 available to local and regional boards of education and implemented in 174 accordance with the provisions of section 5 of this act. Such plan shall 175 include, but need not be limited to, provisions relating to (1) access to 176 the mental health services team for the school district, (2) screening and 177 recognizing appropriate referrals for student athletes, (3) 178 communication among members of the mental health services team, (4) 179 the management of medications of student athletes, (5) crisis 180 intervention services, (6) the mitigation of risk to student athletes, and 181 (7) transition care for those student athletes leaving intramural or 182 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 7 of 43 interscholastic athletics by means of graduation, dismissal or 183 suspension. The department shall make such plan available on its 184 Internet web site and provide technical assistance to local and regional 185 boards of education in the implementation of the plan. 186 Sec. 5. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) For the school year commencing 187 July 1, 2023, and each school year thereafter, each local and regional 188 board of education shall implement the mental health plan for student 189 athletes, developed pursuant to section 4 of this act, for the school 190 district. 191 Sec. 6. Section 10-212a of the general statutes is repealed and the 192 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): 193 (a) (1) A school nurse or, in the absence of such nurse, any other nurse 194 licensed pursuant to the provisions of chapter 378, including a nurse 195 employed by, or providing services under the direction of a local or 196 regional board of education at, a school-based health clinic, who shall 197 administer medical preparations only to students enrolled in such 198 school-based health clinic in the absence of a school nurse, the principal, 199 any teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational 200 therapist employed by a school district, or coach of intramural and 201 interscholastic athletics of a school may administer, subject to the 202 provisions of subdivision (2) of this subsection, medicinal preparations, 203 including such controlled drugs as the Commissioner of Consumer 204 Protection may, by regulation, designate, to any student at such school 205 pursuant to the written order of a physician licensed to practice 206 medicine, or a dentist licensed to practice dental medicine in this or 207 another state, or an optometrist licensed to practice optometry in this 208 state under chapter 380, or an advanced practice registered nurse 209 licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-94a, or a physician 210 assistant licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-12d, and the 211 written authorization of a parent or guardian of such child. The 212 administration of medicinal preparations by a nurse licensed pursuant 213 to the provisions of chapter 378, a principal, teacher, licensed athletic 214 trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a 215 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 8 of 43 school district, or coach shall be under the general supervision of a 216 school nurse. No such school nurse or other nurse, principal, teacher, 217 licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist 218 employed by a school district, coach or school paraprofessional 219 administering medication pursuant to this section shall be liable to such 220 student or a parent or guardian of such student for civil damages for 221 any personal injuries that result from acts or omissions of such school 222 nurse or other nurse, principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, 223 licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by a school 224 district, coach or school paraprofessional administering medication 225 pursuant to this section in administering such preparations that may 226 constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity does not apply to acts or 227 omissions constituting gross, wilful or wanton negligence. 228 (2) Each local and regional board of education that allows a school 229 nurse or, in the absence of such nurse, any other nurse licensed pursuant 230 to the provisions of chapter 378, including a nurse employed by, or 231 providing services under the direction of a local or regional board of 232 education at, a school-based health clinic, who shall administer medical 233 preparations only to students enrolled in such school-based health clinic 234 in the absence of a school nurse, the principal, any teacher, licensed 235 athletic trainer, licensed physical or occupational therapist employed by 236 a school district, coach of intramural and interscholastic athletics or 237 school paraprofessional of a school to administer medicine or that 238 allows a student to possess, self-administer or possess and self-239 administer medicine, including medicine administered through the use 240 of an asthmatic inhaler or an automatic prefilled cartridge injector or 241 similar automatic injectable equipment, shall adopt written policies and 242 procedures, in accordance with this section and the regulations adopted 243 pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, that shall be approved by the 244 school medical advisor, if any, or other qualified licensed physician. 245 Once so approved, such administration of medication shall be in 246 accordance with such policies and procedures. 247 (3) A director of a school readiness program as defined in section 10-248 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 9 of 43 16p, as amended by this act, or a before or after school program exempt 249 from licensure by the Department of Public Health pursuant to 250 subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 19a-77, or the director's 251 designee, may administer medications to a child enrolled in such a 252 program in accordance with regulations adopted by the State Board of 253 Education in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54. No 254 individual administering medications pursuant to this subdivision shall 255 be liable to such child or a parent or guardian of such child for civil 256 damages for any personal injuries that result from acts or omissions of 257 such individual in administering such medications which may 258 constitute ordinary negligence. This immunity shall not apply to acts or 259 omissions constituting gross, wilful or wanton negligence. 260 (b) Each school wherein any controlled drug is administered under 261 the provisions of this section shall keep such records thereof as are 262 required of hospitals under the provisions of subsections (f) and (h) of 263 section 21a-254 and shall store such drug in such manner as the 264 Commissioner of Consumer Protection shall, by regulation, require. 265 (c) The State Board of Education, in consultation with the 266 Commissioner of Public Health, shall adopt regulations, in accordance 267 with the provisions of chapter 54, determined to be necessary by the 268 board to carry out the provisions of this section, including, but not 269 limited to, regulations that (1) specify conditions under which a coach 270 of intramural and interscholastic athletics may administer medicinal 271 preparations, including controlled drugs specified in the regulations 272 adopted by the commissioner, to a child participating in such intramural 273 and interscholastic athletics, (2) specify conditions and procedures for 274 the administration of medication by school personnel to students, 275 including, but not limited to, (A) the conditions and procedures for the 276 storage and administration of epinephrine by school personnel to 277 students for the purpose of emergency first aid to students who 278 experience allergic reactions and who do not have a prior written 279 authorization for the administration of epinephrine, in accordance with 280 the provisions of subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of this section, and (B) 281 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 10 of 43 the conditions and procedures for the storage and administration of 282 opioid antagonists by school personnel to students who experience an 283 opioid-related drug overdose and who do not have a prior written 284 authorization for the administration of an opioid antagonist, in 285 accordance with the provisions of subdivision (1) of subsection (g) of 286 this section, and (3) specify conditions for the possession, self-287 administration or possession and self-administration of medication by 288 students, including permitting a child diagnosed with: (A) Asthma to 289 retain possession of an asthmatic inhaler at all times while attending 290 school for prompt treatment of the child's asthma and to protect the 291 child against serious harm or death provided a written authorization for 292 self-administration of medication signed by the child's parent or 293 guardian and an authorized prescriber is submitted to the school nurse; 294 and (B) an allergic condition to retain possession of an automatic 295 prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable equipment at 296 all times, including while attending school or receiving school 297 transportation services, for prompt treatment of the child's allergic 298 condition and to protect the child against serious harm or death 299 provided a written authorization for self-administration of medication 300 signed by the child's parent or guardian and an authorized prescriber is 301 submitted to the school nurse. The regulations shall require 302 authorization pursuant to: (i) The written order of a physician licensed 303 to practice medicine in this or another state, a dentist licensed to practice 304 dental medicine in this or another state, an advanced practice registered 305 nurse licensed under chapter 378, a physician assistant licensed under 306 chapter 370, a podiatrist licensed under chapter 375, or an optometrist 307 licensed under chapter 380; and (ii) the written authorization of a parent 308 or guardian of such child. 309 (d) (1) (A) With the written authorization of a student's parent or 310 guardian, and (B) pursuant to the written order of a qualified medical 311 professional, a school nurse and a school medical advisor, if any, may 312 jointly approve and provide general supervision to an identified school 313 paraprofessional to administer medication, including, but not limited to, 314 medication administered with a cartridge injector, to a specific student 315 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 11 of 43 with a medically diagnosed allergic condition that may require prompt 316 treatment in order to protect the student against serious harm or death. 317 (2) A school nurse or, in the absence of a school nurse, a qualified 318 school employee shall maintain epinephrine in cartridge injectors for the 319 purpose of emergency first aid to students who experience allergic 320 reactions and do not have a prior written authorization of a parent or 321 guardian or a prior written order of a qualified medical professional for 322 the administration of epinephrine. A school nurse or a school principal 323 shall select qualified school employees to administer such epinephrine 324 under this subdivision, and there shall be at least one such qualified 325 school employee on the grounds of the school during regular school 326 hours in the absence of a school nurse. A school nurse or, in the absence 327 of such school nurse, such qualified school employee may administer 328 such epinephrine under this subdivision, provided such administration 329 of epinephrine is in accordance with policies and procedures adopted 330 pursuant to subsection (a) of this section. Such administration of 331 epinephrine by a qualified school employee shall be limited to situations 332 when the school nurse is absent or unavailable. No qualified school 333 employee shall administer such epinephrine under this subdivision 334 unless such qualified school employee annually completes the training 335 program described in section 10-212g. The parent or guardian of a 336 student may submit, in writing, to the school nurse and school medical 337 advisor, if any, that epinephrine shall not be administered to such 338 student under this subdivision. 339 (3) In the case of a student with a medically diagnosed life-340 threatening allergic condition, (A) with the written authorization of 341 such student's parent or guardian, and (B) pursuant to the written order 342 of a qualified medical professional, such student may possess, self-343 administer or possess and self-administer medication, including, but 344 not limited to, medication administered with a cartridge injector, to 345 protect such student against serious harm or death. 346 (4) For purposes of this subsection, (A) "cartridge injector" means an 347 automatic prefilled cartridge injector or similar automatic injectable 348 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 12 of 43 equipment used to deliver epinephrine in a standard dose for 349 emergency first aid response to allergic reactions, (B) "qualified school 350 employee" means a principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed 351 physical or occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach 352 or school paraprofessional, and (C) "qualified medical professional" 353 means (i) a physician licensed under chapter 370, (ii) an optometrist 354 licensed to practice optometry under chapter 380, (iii) an advanced 355 practice registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance with 356 section 20-94a, or (iv) a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in 357 accordance with section 20-12d. 358 (e) (1) With the written authorization of a student's parent or 359 guardian, and (2) pursuant to a written order of the student's physician 360 licensed under chapter 370 or the student's advanced practice registered 361 nurse licensed under chapter 378, a school nurse or a school principal 362 shall select, and a school nurse shall provide general supervision to, a 363 qualified school employee to administer medication with injectable 364 equipment used to administer glucagon to a student with diabetes that 365 may require prompt treatment in order to protect the student against 366 serious harm or death. Such authorization shall be limited to situations 367 when the school nurse is absent or unavailable. No qualified school 368 employee shall administer medication under this subsection unless (A) 369 such qualified school employee annually completes any training 370 required by the school nurse and school medical advisor, if any, in the 371 administration of medication with injectable equipment used to 372 administer glucagon, (B) the school nurse and school medical advisor, 373 if any, have attested, in writing, that such qualified school employee has 374 completed such training, and (C) such qualified school employee 375 voluntarily agrees to serve as a qualified school employee. For purposes 376 of this subsection, "injectable equipment used to administer glucagon" 377 means an injector or injectable equipment used to deliver glucagon in 378 an appropriate dose for emergency first aid response to diabetes. For 379 purposes of this subsection, "qualified school employee" means a 380 principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or 381 occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or school 382 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 13 of 43 paraprofessional. 383 (f) (1) (A) With the written authorization of a student's parent or 384 guardian, and (B) pursuant to the written order of a physician licensed 385 under chapter 370 or an advanced practice registered nurse licensed 386 under chapter 378, a school nurse and a school medical advisor, if any, 387 shall select, and a school nurse shall provide general supervision to, a 388 qualified school employee to administer antiepileptic medication, 389 including by rectal syringe, to a specific student with a medically 390 diagnosed epileptic condition that requires prompt treatment in 391 accordance with the student's individual seizure action plan. Such 392 authorization shall be limited to situations when the school nurse is 393 absent or unavailable. No qualified school employee shall administer 394 medication under this subsection unless (i) such qualified school 395 employee annually completes the training program described in 396 subdivision (2) of this subsection, (ii) the school nurse and school 397 medical advisor, if any, have attested, in writing, that such qualified 398 school employee has completed such training, (iii) such qualified school 399 employee receives monthly reviews by the school nurse to confirm such 400 qualified school employee's competency to administer antiepileptic 401 medication under this subsection, and (iv) such qualified school 402 employee voluntarily agrees to serve as a qualified school employee. For 403 purposes of this subsection, "qualified school employee" means a 404 principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or 405 occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or school 406 paraprofessional. 407 (2) The Department of Education, in consultation with the School 408 Nurse Advisory Council, established pursuant to section 10-212f, and 409 the Association of School Nurses of Connecticut, shall develop an 410 antiepileptic medication administrating training program. Such training 411 program shall include instruction in (A) an overview of childhood 412 epilepsy and types of seizure disorders, (B) interpretation of individual 413 student's emergency seizure action plan and recognition of individual 414 student's seizure activity, (C) emergency management procedures for 415 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 14 of 43 seizure activity, including administration techniques for emergency 416 seizure medication, (D) when to activate emergency medical services 417 and postseizure procedures and follow-up, (E) reporting procedures 418 after a student has required such delegated emergency seizure 419 medication, and (F) any other relevant issues or topics related to 420 emergency interventions for students who experience seizures. 421 (g) (1) A school nurse or, in the absence of a school nurse, a qualified 422 school employee may maintain opioid antagonists for the purpose of 423 emergency first aid to students who experience an opioid-related drug 424 overdose and do not have a prior written authorization of a parent or 425 guardian or a prior written order of a qualified medical professional for 426 the administration of such opioid antagonist. A school nurse or a school 427 principal shall select qualified school employees to administer such 428 opioid antagonist under this subdivision, and there shall be at least one 429 such qualified school employee on the grounds of the school during 430 regular school hours in the absence of a school nurse. A school nurse or, 431 in the absence of such school nurse, such qualified school employee may 432 administer such opioid antagonist under this subdivision, provided 433 such administration of the opioid antagonist is in accordance with 434 policies and procedures adopted pursuant to subsection (a) of this 435 section. Such administration of an opioid antagonist by a qualified 436 school employee shall be limited to situations when the school nurse is 437 absent or unavailable. No school nurse or qualified school employee 438 shall administer such opioid antagonist under this subdivision unless 439 such school nurse or qualified school employee completes a training 440 program in the distribution and administration of an opioid antagonist 441 developed by the Department of Education, Department of Public 442 Health and the Department of Consumer Protection, or under an 443 agreement entered into pursuant to section 21a-286, as amended by this 444 act. The parent or guardian of a student may submit a request, in 445 writing, to the school nurse and school medical advisor, if any, that an 446 opioid antagonist shall not be administered to such student under this 447 subdivision. 448 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 15 of 43 (2) Not later than October 1, 2022, the Department of Education, in 449 consultation with the Departments of Consumer Protection and Public 450 Health, shall develop guidelines for use by local and regional boards of 451 education on the storage and administration of opioid antagonists in 452 schools in accordance with the provisions of this subsection. 453 (3) For purposes of this subsection, (A) "opioid antagonist" means 454 naloxone hydrochloride or any other similarly acting and equally safe 455 drug approved by the federal Food and Drug Administration for the 456 treatment of a drug overdose, (B) "qualified school employee" means a 457 principal, teacher, licensed athletic trainer, licensed physical or 458 occupational therapist employed by a school district, coach or school 459 paraprofessional, and (C) "qualified medical professional" means (i) a 460 physician licensed under chapter 370, (ii) an optometrist licensed to 461 practice optometry under chapter 380, (iii) an advanced practice 462 registered nurse licensed to prescribe in accordance with section 20-94a, 463 or (iv) a physician assistant licensed to prescribe in accordance with 464 section 20-12d. 465 Sec. 7. Section 21a-286 of the general statutes is repealed and the 466 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 467 (a) For purposes of this section: 468 (1) "Opioid antagonist" shall have the meaning set forth in section 469 17a-714a. 470 (2) "Prescribing practitioner" shall have the meaning set forth in 471 section 20-14c. 472 (3) "Pharmacist" shall have the meaning set forth in section 20-609a. 473 (b) A prescribing practitioner or a pharmacist certified to prescribe 474 naloxone pursuant to section 20-633c may enter into an agreement with 475 a law enforcement agency, emergency medical service provider, 476 government agency, [or] community health organization or local or 477 regional board of education related to the distribution and 478 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 16 of 43 administration of an opioid antagonist for the reversal of an opioid 479 overdose. The prescribing practitioner or pharmacist shall provide 480 training to persons who will distribute or administer the opioid 481 antagonist pursuant to the terms of the agreement. Persons other than 482 the prescribing practitioner or pharmacist shall receive training in the 483 distribution or administration of opioid antagonists prior to distributing 484 or administering an opioid antagonist. The agreement shall address the 485 storage, handling, labeling, recalls and recordkeeping of opioid 486 antagonists by the law enforcement agency, emergency medical service 487 provider, government agency, [or] community health organization or 488 local or regional board of education which is party to the agreement. 489 (c) A prescribing practitioner or pharmacist who enters into an 490 agreement pursuant to subsection (b) of this section shall not be liable 491 for damages in a civil action or subject to administrative or criminal 492 prosecution for the administration or dispensing of an opioid antagonist 493 by such law enforcement agency, emergency medical service provider, 494 government agency, [or] community health organization or local or 495 regional board of education. 496 (d) The Commissioner of Consumer Protection may adopt 497 regulations, in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, to 498 implement the provisions of this section. 499 Sec. 8. (Effective July 1, 2022) For the school year ending July 1, 2022, 500 the Department of Consumer Protection, in collaboration with the 501 Department of Education, shall provide information to local and 502 regional boards of education regarding where such boards can acquire 503 opioid antagonists, as defined in section 10-212a of the general statutes, 504 as amended by this act, including the name and contact information of 505 any manufacturer of opioid antagonists that is providing such opioid 506 antagonists at no cost to school districts. 507 Sec. 9. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) There is established a minority 508 teacher candidate scholarship program administered by the 509 Department of Education, in consultation with the Office of Higher 510 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 17 of 43 Education. The program shall provide an annual scholarship to 511 minority students who (1) graduated from a public high school in a 512 priority school district, as described in section 10-266p of the general 513 statutes, and (2) are enrolled in a teacher preparation program at any 514 four-year institution of higher education. Maximum grants shall not 515 exceed twenty thousand dollars per year. The department shall ensure 516 that at least fifty per cent of the scholarship recipients are men. 517 (b) Not later than January 1, 2023, the department shall develop a 518 policy concerning the administration of the scholarship. Such policy 519 shall include, but need not be limited to, provisions regarding (1) any 520 additional eligibility criteria, (2) payment and distribution of the 521 scholarships, and (3) the notification of students in high school in 522 priority school districts of the scholarship program. 523 (c) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2024, and each fiscal year 524 thereafter, the department shall award scholarships in accordance with 525 the provisions of this section and the guidelines developed pursuant to 526 section (b) of this section. 527 (d) The Department of Education may accept gifts, grants and 528 donations, from any source, public or private, for the minority teacher 529 candidate scholarship program. 530 Sec. 10. (Effective from passage) (a) As used in this section: 531 (1) "Ableism" means the bias, prejudice or discrimination, intentional 532 or unintentional, against people with physical, psychiatric or 533 intellectual disabilities; and 534 (2) "Social-emotional learning" has the same meaning as provided in 535 section 10-222v of the general statutes. 536 (b) There is established a task force to combat ableism. The task force 537 shall identify (1) current efforts to educate all students on disability and 538 combat ableism in the public school curriculum and classrooms, and (2) 539 opportunities to expand such efforts and integrate them into social-540 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 18 of 43 emotional learning. 541 (c) The task force shall consist of the following members: 542 (1) Two appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, 543 one of whom is an educator employed by a local or regional board of 544 education and one of whom is a leader in social-emotional learning who 545 works with children; 546 (2) Two appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, one of 547 whom works as a special education teacher and one of whom is a 548 member of the social and emotional learning and school climate 549 advisory collaborative established pursuant to section 10-222q of the 550 general statutes; 551 (3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of 552 Representatives, who is a school administrator employed by a local or 553 regional board of education; 554 (4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who is a 555 chairperson of a local or regional board of education; 556 (5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of 557 Representatives, who is a director or employee of a private nonprofit 558 organization in the state that provides services or programs for children 559 with disabilities; 560 (6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who is a 561 director or employee of a private nonprofit organization in the state that 562 provides disability-related services or programs for children; 563 (7) The Commissioner of Education, or the commissioner's designee; 564 (8) The Commissioner of Early Childhood, or the commissioner's 565 designee; 566 (9) The Commissioner of Children and Families, or the 567 commissioner's designee; 568 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 19 of 43 (10) The Chief Court Administrator, or the Chief Court 569 Administrator's designee; and 570 (11) The director of Special Education Equity for Kids of Connecticut, 571 or the director's designee. 572 (d) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1), 573 (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (c) of this section may be a member of 574 the General Assembly. 575 (e) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later 576 than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall 577 be filled by the appointing authority. 578 (f) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro 579 tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from 580 among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule 581 the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty 582 days after the effective date of this section. 583 (g) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the 584 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children 585 shall serve as administrative staff of the task force. 586 (h) Not later than January 1, 2023, the task force shall submit a report 587 on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of 588 the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to children 589 and education, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the 590 general statutes. The task force shall terminate on the date that it 591 submits such report or January 1, 2023, whichever is later. 592 Sec. 11. (Effective from passage) (a) There is established a task force to 593 study the governance structure and internal procedures of the 594 Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference. Such study shall 595 include, but need not be limited to, an examination of the leadership 596 structure of the conference and how leadership positions are filled, and 597 how the conference receives and resolves complaints filed by members 598 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 20 of 43 of the conference and individuals. 599 (b) The task force shall consist of the following members: 600 (1) One appointed by the speaker of the House of Representatives, 601 who has expertise in coaching; 602 (2) One appointed by the president pro tempore of the Senate, who 603 has expertise in sports management; 604 (3) One appointed by the majority leader of the House of 605 Representatives, who is a coach for a member of the Connecticut 606 Interscholastic Athletic Conference; 607 (4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who is an 608 athletic director for a school district that is a member of the Connecticut 609 Interscholastic Athletic Conference; 610 (5) One appointed by the minority leader of the House of 611 Representatives, who is an administrator at a school that is a member of 612 the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference; 613 (6) One appointed by the minority leader of the Senate, who is a 614 parent of a student athlete for a school that is a member of the 615 Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic Conference; and 616 (7) The director of the Connecticut Interscholastic Athletic 617 Conference, or the director's designee. 618 (c) Any member of the task force appointed under subdivision (1), 619 (2), (3), (4), (5) or (6) of subsection (b) of this section may be a member 620 of the General Assembly. 621 (d) All initial appointments to the task force shall be made not later 622 than thirty days after the effective date of this section. Any vacancy shall 623 be filled by the appointing authority. 624 (e) The speaker of the House of Representatives and the president pro 625 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 21 of 43 tempore of the Senate shall select the chairpersons of the task force from 626 among the members of the task force. Such chairpersons shall schedule 627 the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty 628 days after the effective date of this section. 629 (f) The administrative staff of the joint standing committee of the 630 General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education 631 shall serve as administrative staff of the task force. 632 (g) Not later than January 1, 2023, the task force shall submit a report, 633 in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a of the general statutes, 634 on its findings and recommendations to the joint standing committee of 635 the General Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to 636 education. The task force shall terminate on the date that it submits such 637 report or January 1, 2023, whichever is later. 638 Sec. 12. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) As used in this section: 639 (1) "School readiness program" has the same meaning as provided in 640 section 10-16p of the general statutes, as amended by this act; and 641 (2) "Competitive municipality" means, for the fiscal year ending June 642 30, 2024, a municipality that is among the lowest fifty municipalities 643 when ranked by wealth, as determined by the Commissioner of Early 644 Childhood, and for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, a municipality 645 that is among the lowest one hundred municipalities when ranked by 646 wealth, as determined by the commissioner. 647 (b) For the fiscal year ending July 1, 2023, and each fiscal year 648 thereafter, the Commissioner of Early Childhood shall coordinate with 649 local and regional school readiness councils to conduct needs 650 assessments for infant, toddler and preschool spaces in school readiness 651 programs throughout the state. The commissioner shall use the results 652 of such needs assessments to increase or adjust the number of infant, 653 toddler and preschool spaces in school readiness programs to meet the 654 need or demand of each community and to provide grants under section 655 10-16p of the general statutes, as amended by this act, in accordance 656 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 22 of 43 with subsections (c) to (e), inclusive, of this section. 657 (c) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, the commissioner shall 658 increase or adjust the number of infant, toddler and preschool spaces, in 659 accordance with the needs assessments conducted pursuant to 660 subsection (b) of this section, in priority school districts, as described in 661 section 10-266p of the general statutes. The commissioner shall provide 662 grants under section 10-16p of the general statutes, as amended by this 663 act, to accomplish such increase or adjustment in such spaces. 664 (d) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2025, and June 30, 2026, the 665 commissioner shall increase or adjust the number of infant, toddler and 666 preschool spaces, in accordance with the needs assessments conducted 667 pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, in competitive municipalities. 668 The commissioner shall provide grants under section 10-16p of the 669 general statutes, as amended by this act, to accomplish such increase or 670 adjustment in such spaces. 671 (e) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2027, and each fiscal year 672 thereafter, the commissioner shall increase or adjust the number of 673 infant, toddler and preschool spaces, in accordance with the needs 674 assessments conducted pursuant to subsection (b) of this section, for 675 each community throughout the state. The commissioner shall provide 676 grants under section 10-16p of the general statutes, as amended by this 677 act, to accomplish such increase or adjustment in such spaces. 678 Sec. 13. Subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-16q of the 679 general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu 680 thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 681 (b) (1) [For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, the per child cost of 682 the Office of Early Childhood school readiness program offered by a 683 school readiness provider shall not exceed eight thousand nine hundred 684 twenty-seven dollars.] For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2021] 2023, 685 and each fiscal year thereafter, the per child cost of the Office of Early 686 Childhood school readiness program offered by a school readiness 687 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 23 of 43 provider shall not exceed [nine thousand twenty-seven dollars] (A) 688 sixteen thousand dollars for each child three years of age or under who 689 is in infant or toddler care and not in a preschool program, and (B) 690 fourteen thousand five hundred dollars for each child three years of age 691 or older who is in a preschool program. 692 Sec. 14. Section 10-16p of the 2022 supplement to the general statutes 693 is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 694 1, 2022): 695 (a) As used in sections 10-16o to 10-16r, inclusive, as amended by this 696 act, 10-16u, 17b-749a and 17b-749c: 697 (1) "School readiness program" means a [nonsectarian] program that 698 (A) meets the standards set by the Office of Early Childhood pursuant 699 to subsection (b) of this section and the requirements of section 10-16q, 700 as amended by this act, and (B) provides a developmentally appropriate 701 learning experience of not less than four hundred fifty hours and one 702 hundred eighty days for eligible children, except as provided in 703 subsection (d) of section 10-16q; 704 (2) "Eligible children" means children three and four years of age and 705 children five years of age who are not eligible to enroll in school 706 pursuant to section 10-15c, or who are eligible to enroll in school and 707 will attend a school readiness program pursuant to section 10-16t; 708 (3) "Priority school" means a school in which forty per cent or more 709 of the lunches served are served to students who are eligible for free or 710 reduced price lunches pursuant to federal law and regulations, 711 excluding such a school located in a priority school district pursuant to 712 section 10-266p or in a former priority school district receiving a grant 713 pursuant to subsection (c) of this section and, on and after July 1, 2001, 714 excluding such a school in a transitional school district receiving a grant 715 pursuant to section 10-16u; 716 (4) "Severe need school" means a school in a priority school district 717 pursuant to section 10-266p or in a former priority school district in 718 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 24 of 43 which forty per cent or more of the lunches served are served to students 719 who are eligible for free or reduced price lunches; 720 (5) "Accredited" means accredited by the National Association for the 721 Education of Young Children, National Association for Family Child 722 Care, a Head Start on-site program review instrument or a successor 723 instrument pursuant to federal regulations, or otherwise meeting such 724 criteria as may be established by the commissioner, unless the context 725 otherwise requires; 726 (6) "Year-round" means fifty weeks per year, except as provided in 727 subsection (d) of section 10-16q; 728 (7) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Early Childhood; 729 (8) "Office" means the Office of Early Childhood; 730 (9) "Seeking accreditation" means a school readiness program seeking 731 accreditation by the National Association for the Education of Young 732 Children, National Association for Family Child Care or a Head Start 733 on-site program review instrument or successor instrument pursuant to 734 federal regulations, or attempting to meet criteria as may be established 735 by the commissioner; and 736 (10) "Concentration in early childhood education" means a program 737 of study in early childhood education, including, but not limited to, 738 early childhood education, child study, child development or human 739 growth and development. 740 (b) (1) The office shall be the lead agency for school readiness. For 741 purposes of this section and section 10-16u, school readiness program 742 providers eligible for funding from the office shall include local and 743 regional boards of education, regional educational service centers, 744 family resource centers and providers of child care centers, group child 745 care homes and family child care homes, as described in section 19a-77, 746 as amended by this act, Head Start programs, preschool programs and 747 other programs that meet any standards established by the 748 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 25 of 43 commissioner. The office shall establish standards for school readiness 749 programs. The standards may include, but need not be limited to, 750 guidelines for staff-child interactions, curriculum content, including 751 preliteracy development, lesson plans, parental involvement, staff 752 qualifications and training, transition to school and administration. The 753 office shall develop age-appropriate developmental skills and goals for 754 children attending such programs. The commissioner, in consultation 755 with the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, 756 the Commissioners of Education and Social Services and other 757 appropriate entities, shall develop a professional development program 758 for the staff of school readiness programs. 759 (2) For purposes of this section: 760 (A) Prior to July 1, 2022, "staff qualifications" means that for each 761 early childhood education program accepting state funds for infant, 762 toddler and preschool spaces associated with such program's child care 763 program or school readiness program, there is in each classroom an 764 individual who has at least the following: (i) A childhood development 765 associate credential or an equivalent credential issued by an 766 organization approved by the commissioner and twelve credits or more 767 in early childhood education or child development, as determined by 768 the commissioner or the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and 769 Universities, after consultation with the commissioner, from an 770 institution of higher education (I) accredited by the Board of Regents for 771 Higher Education or Office of Higher Education, and (II) regionally 772 accredited; (ii) an associate degree with twelve credits or more in early 773 childhood education or child development, as determined by the 774 commissioner or the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and 775 Universities, after consultation with the commissioner, from such an 776 institution; (iii) a four-year degree with twelve credits or more in early 777 childhood education or child development, as determined by the 778 commissioner or the president of the Connecticut State Colleges and 779 Universities, after consultation with the commissioner, from such an 780 institution; (iv) certification pursuant to section 10-145b with an 781 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 26 of 43 endorsement in early childhood education or special education; (v) an 782 associate degree with a concentration in early childhood education from 783 an institution of higher education that is regionally accredited; or (vi) a 784 bachelor's degree with a concentration in early childhood education 785 from an institution of higher education that is regionally accredited; 786 (B) From July 1, 2022, until June 30, 2025, "staff qualifications" means 787 that for each early childhood education program accepting state funds 788 for infant, toddler and preschool spaces associated with such program's 789 child care program or school readiness program, (i) at least fifty per cent 790 of those individuals with the primary responsibility for a classroom of 791 children (I) hold certification pursuant to section 10-145b with an 792 endorsement in early childhood education or early childhood special 793 education, (II) have been issued an early childhood teacher credential, 794 pursuant to section 10-520b, (III) hold at least an associate degree with a 795 concentration in early childhood education from an institution of higher 796 education that is regionally accredited, or (IV) satisfy the requirements 797 of subdivision (3), (4) or (5) of this subsection, and (ii) such remaining 798 individuals with the primary responsibility for a classroom of children 799 hold a childhood development associate credential or an equivalent 800 credential issued by an organization approved by the commissioner and 801 twelve credits or more in early childhood education or child 802 development, as determined by the commissioner or the president of 803 the Connecticut State Colleges and Universities, after consultation with 804 the commissioner, from an institution of higher education (I) accredited 805 by the Board of Regents for Higher Education or Office of Higher 806 Education, and (II) regionally accredited; 807 (C) From July 1, 2025, until June 30, 2029, "staff qualifications" means 808 that for each early childhood education program accepting state funds 809 for infant, toddler and preschool spaces associated with such program's 810 child care program or school readiness program, (i) at least fifty per cent 811 of those individuals with the primary responsibility for a classroom of 812 children (I) hold certification pursuant to section 10-145b with an 813 endorsement in early childhood education or early childhood special 814 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 27 of 43 education, (II) have been issued an early childhood teacher credential, 815 pursuant to subdivision (2) of section 10-520b, (III) hold at least a 816 bachelor's degree with a concentration in early childhood education 817 from an institution of higher education that is regionally accredited, or 818 (IV) satisfy the requirements of subdivision (3), (4) or (5) of this 819 subsection, and (ii) such remaining individuals with the primary 820 responsibility for a classroom of children (I) hold an associate degree 821 with a concentration in early childhood education from an institution of 822 higher education that is regionally accredited, or (II) have been issued 823 an early childhood teacher credential, pursuant to subdivision (1) of 824 section 10-520b; and 825 (D) On and after July 1, 2029, "staff qualifications" means that for each 826 early childhood education program accepting state funds for infant, 827 toddler and preschool spaces associated with such program's child care 828 program or school readiness program, one hundred per cent of those 829 individuals with the primary responsibility for a classroom of children 830 (i) hold certification pursuant to section 10-145b with an endorsement in 831 early childhood education or early childhood special education, (ii) have 832 been issued an early childhood teacher credential, pursuant to 833 subdivision (2) of section 10-520b, (iii) hold at least a bachelor's degree 834 with a concentration in early childhood education from an institution of 835 higher education that is regionally accredited, or (iv) satisfy the 836 requirements of subdivision (3), (4) or (5) of this subsection. 837 (3) Any individual with a bachelor's degree in early childhood 838 education or child development or a bachelor's degree and twelve 839 credits or more in early childhood education or child development, 840 who, on or before June 30, 2015, is employed by an early childhood 841 education program that accepts state funds for infant, toddler and 842 preschool spaces associated with such program's child care program or 843 school readiness program shall be considered to meet the staff 844 qualifications required under subparagraphs (B) to (D), inclusive, of 845 subdivision (2) of this subsection. No such early childhood education 846 program shall terminate any such individual from employment for 847 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 28 of 43 purposes of meeting the staff qualification requirements set forth in 848 subparagraph (B), (C) or (D) of subdivision (2) of this subsection. 849 (4) Any individual with an associate degree or a bachelor's degree in 850 early childhood education or child development or an associate degree 851 or a bachelor's degree and twelve credits or more in early childhood 852 education or child development from an institution of higher education 853 that is regionally accredited, other than an associate degree or a 854 bachelor's degree with a concentration in early childhood education, 855 may submit documentation concerning such degree for review and 856 assessment by the office as to whether such degree has a sufficient 857 concentration in early childhood education so as to satisfy the 858 requirements set forth in subparagraphs (B) to (D), inclusive, of 859 subdivision (2) of this subsection. 860 (5) Any individual with an associate degree with twelve credits or 861 more in early childhood education or child development, as determined 862 by the commissioner or the president of the Connecticut State Colleges 863 and Universities, after consultation with the commissioner, from an 864 institution of higher education (A) accredited by the Board of Regents 865 for Higher Education or Office of Higher Education, and (B) regionally 866 accredited, who has been employed in the same early childhood 867 education program that accepts state funds for infant, toddler and 868 preschool spaces associated with such program's child care program or 869 school readiness program since 1995 shall be considered to meet the staff 870 qualifications required under subparagraphs (B) to (D), inclusive, of 871 subdivision (2) of this subsection until June 30, 2025. On and after July 872 1, 2025, such individual shall hold a childhood development associate 873 credential or an equivalent credential, described in subparagraph (A) of 874 subdivision (2) of this subsection, or otherwise meet the staff 875 qualifications required under subparagraphs (C) and (D) of subdivision 876 (2) of this subsection. Any such individual who terminates his or her 877 employment with such early childhood education program on or before 878 June 30, 2025, and accepts a position at another early childhood 879 education program accepting state funds for spaces associated with 880 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 29 of 43 such program's child care program or school readiness program shall 881 submit documentation of such individual's progress toward meeting 882 the staff qualification requirements set forth in subparagraph (B) to (D), 883 inclusive, of subdivision (2) of this subsection in a manner determined 884 by the office. 885 (c) The commissioner shall establish a grant program to provide 886 spaces in accredited school readiness programs located in priority 887 school districts, as described in section 10-266p, or in former priority 888 school districts for eligible children. The state, acting by and in the 889 discretion of the Commissioner of Early Childhood, in consultation with 890 a town or regional school readiness council, may enter into a contract 891 with a municipality, local or regional board of education, regional 892 educational service center, family resource center, provider of a child 893 care center, group child care home or family child care home, as 894 described in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, Head Start program, 895 preschool program or other program that meets such standards 896 established by the commissioner, to provide, within available 897 appropriations, state financial assistance. Eligibility shall be determined 898 for a five-year period based on an applicant's designation as a priority 899 school district for the initial year of application, except that if a school 900 district that receives a grant pursuant to this subsection is no longer 901 designated as a priority school district at the end of such five-year 902 period, such former priority school district shall continue to be eligible 903 to receive a grant pursuant to this subsection. Grant awards shall be 904 made annually contingent upon available funding and a satisfactory 905 annual evaluation. The chief elected official of such town and the 906 superintendent of schools for such priority school district or former 907 priority school district shall submit a plan for the expenditure of grant 908 funds and responses to the local request for proposal process to the 909 commissioner. The commissioner shall review and approve such plans. 910 The plan shall: (1) Be developed in consultation with the local or 911 regional school readiness council established pursuant to section 10-16r, 912 as amended by this act; (2) be based on a needs and resource assessment; 913 (3) provide for the issuance of requests for proposals for providers of 914 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 30 of 43 accredited school readiness programs, provided, after the initial 915 requests for proposals, facilities that have been approved to operate a 916 child care program financed through the Connecticut Health and 917 Education Facilities Authority and have received a commitment for debt 918 service from the Department of Social Services, pursuant to section 17b-919 749i, on or before June 30, 2014, and on or after July 1, 2014, from the 920 office, are exempt from the requirement for issuance of annual requests 921 for proposals; and (4) identify the need for funding pursuant to section 922 17b-749a in order to extend the hours and days of operation of school 923 readiness programs in order to provide child care services for children 924 attending such programs. 925 (d) (1) The commissioner shall establish a competitive grant program 926 to provide spaces in accredited school readiness programs or school 927 readiness programs seeking accreditation located in (A) an area served 928 by a priority school or a former priority school, (B) a town ranked one 929 to fifty when all towns are ranked in ascending order according to town 930 wealth, as defined in subdivision (26) of section 10-262f, whose school 931 district is not a priority school district pursuant to section 10-266p, (C) a 932 town formerly a town described in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision, 933 as provided for in subdivision (2) of this subsection, or (D) a town 934 designated as an alliance district, as defined in section 10-262u, whose 935 school district is not a priority school district pursuant to section 10-936 266p. A town in which a priority school is located, a regional school 937 readiness council, pursuant to subsection (c) of section 10-16r, as 938 amended by this act, for a region in which such a school is located or a 939 town described in subparagraph (B) of this subdivision may apply for 940 such a grant in an amount equal to the number of spaces in an accredited 941 school readiness program or a school readiness program seeking 942 accreditation multiplied by the per child cost set forth in subdivision (1) 943 of subsection (b) of section 10-16q, as amended by this act. Eligibility 944 shall be determined for a three-year period based on an applicant's 945 designation as having a priority school or being a town described in 946 subparagraph (B) of this subdivision for the initial year of application. 947 The state, acting by and in the discretion of the Commissioner of Early 948 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 31 of 43 Childhood, in consultation with a town or regional school readiness 949 council, may enter into a contract with a municipality, local or regional 950 board of education, regional educational service center, family resource 951 center, provider of a child care center, group child care home or family 952 child care home, as described in section 19a-77, as amended by this act, 953 Head Start program, preschool program or other program that meets 954 such standards established by the commissioner, to provide, within 955 available appropriations, state financial assistance. The chief elected 956 official of such town and the superintendent of schools of the school 957 district or the regional school readiness council shall submit a plan, as 958 described in subsection (c) of this section, for the expenditure of such 959 grant funds to the commissioner. In awarding grants pursuant to this 960 subsection, the commissioner shall give preference to applications 961 submitted by regional school readiness councils and may, within 962 available appropriations, provide a grant to such town or regional 963 school readiness council that increases the number of spaces for eligible 964 children who reside in an area or town described in subparagraphs (A) 965 to (D), inclusive, of this subdivision, in an accredited school readiness 966 program or a school readiness program seeking accreditation. 967 (2) (A) Except as provided in subparagraph (C) of this subdivision, 968 commencing with the fiscal year ending June 30, 2005, if a town received 969 a grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection and is no longer 970 eligible to receive such a grant, the town may receive a phase-out grant 971 for each of the three fiscal years following the fiscal year such town 972 received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection. 973 (B) The amount of such phase-out grants shall be determined as 974 follows: (i) For the first fiscal year following the fiscal year such town 975 received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in 976 an amount that does not exceed seventy-five per cent of the grant 977 amount such town received for the town or school's final year of 978 eligibility pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection; (ii) for the 979 second fiscal year following the fiscal year such town received its final 980 grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, in an amount that 981 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 32 of 43 does not exceed fifty per cent of the grant amount such town received 982 for the town's or school's final year of eligibility pursuant to subdivision 983 (1) of this subsection; and (iii) for the third fiscal year following the fiscal 984 year such town received its final grant pursuant to subdivision (1) of 985 this subsection, in an amount that does not exceed twenty-five per cent 986 of the grant amount such town received for the town's or school's final 987 year of eligibility pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection. 988 (C) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2011, and each fiscal year 989 thereafter, any town that received a grant pursuant to subparagraph (B) 990 of subdivision (1) of this subsection for the fiscal year ending June 30, 991 2010, shall continue to receive a grant under this subsection even if the 992 town no longer meets the criteria for such grant pursuant to 993 subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of this subsection. 994 (e) (1) If funds appropriated for the purposes of subsection (c) of this 995 section are not expended, the commissioner may deposit such 996 unexpended funds in the account established under section 10-16aa and 997 use such unexpended funds in accordance with the provisions of section 998 10-16aa. 999 (2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, and each fiscal year 1000 thereafter, if funds appropriated for the purposes of subsection (c) of 1001 this section are not expended, an amount up to one million dollars of 1002 such unexpended funds may be available for the p rovision of 1003 scholarships and professional development for early childhood care and 1004 education program providers, and individual staff members employed 1005 in such programs, provided such programs accept state funds for infant, 1006 toddler and preschool slots. Such unexpended funds may be available 1007 for use in accordance with the provisions of this [subparagraph] 1008 subdivision for the subsequent fiscal year. The commissioner may use 1009 such unexpended funds on and after July 1, 2015, to support early 1010 childhood education programs accepting state funds in satisfying the 1011 staff qualifications requirements of subparagraphs (B) and (C) of 1012 subdivision (2) of subsection (b) of this section. The commissioner shall 1013 use any such funds to provide assistance to individual staff members, 1014 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 33 of 43 giving priority to those staff members (A) attending an institution of 1015 higher education accredited by the Board of Regents for Higher 1016 Education or the Office of Higher Education, and approved by the 1017 Office of Early Childhood, and regionally accredited, at a maximum of 1018 ten thousand dollars per staff member per year for the cost of higher 1019 education courses leading to a bachelor's degree or, not later than 1020 December 31, 2015, an associate degree, as such degrees are described 1021 in said subparagraphs (B) and (C), or (B) receiving noncredit 1022 competency-based training approved by the office, at a maximum of one 1023 thousand dollars per staff member per year, provided such staff 1024 members have applied for all available federal and state scholarships 1025 and grants, and such assistance does not exceed such staff members' 1026 financial need. Individual staff members shall apply for such 1027 unexpended funds in a manner determined by the commissioner. The 1028 commissioner shall determine how such unexpended funds shall be 1029 distributed. 1030 (3) If funds appropriated for the purposes of subsection (c) of this 1031 section are not expended pursuant to subsection (c) of this section, 1032 deposited pursuant to subdivision (1) of this subsection, or used 1033 pursuant to subdivision (2) of this subsection, the commissioner may 1034 use such unexpended funds to support local school readiness programs. 1035 The commissioner may use such funds for purposes including, but not 1036 limited to, (A) assisting local school readiness programs in meeting and 1037 maintaining accreditation requirements, (B) providing training in 1038 implementing the preschool assessment and curriculum frameworks, 1039 including training to enhance literacy teaching skills, (C) developing a 1040 state-wide preschool curriculum, (D) developing student assessments 1041 for students in grades kindergarten to two, inclusive, (E) developing 1042 and implementing best practices for parents in supporting preschool 1043 and kindergarten student learning, (F) developing and implementing 1044 strategies for children to successfully transition to preschool and from 1045 preschool to kindergarten, including through parental engagement and 1046 whole-family supports that may be utilized through the two-1047 generational initiative, established pursuant to section 17b-112l, or 1048 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 34 of 43 through other available resources, (G) providing for professional 1049 development, including assisting in career ladder advancement, for 1050 school readiness staff, (H) providing supplemental grants to other 1051 towns that are eligible for grants pursuant to subsection (c) of this 1052 section, and (I) developing a plan to provide spaces in an accredited 1053 school readiness program or a school readiness program seeking 1054 accreditation to all eligible children who reside in an area or town 1055 described in subparagraphs (A) to (D), inclusive, of subdivision (1) of 1056 subsection (d) of this section. 1057 (f) Any school readiness program that receives funds pursuant to this 1058 section or section 10-16u shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, 1059 national origin, gender, religion or disability. For purposes of this 1060 section, a nonsectarian program means any public or private school 1061 readiness program that is not violative of the Establishment Clause of 1062 the Constitution of the State of Connecticut or the Establishment Clause 1063 of the Constitution of the United States of America. 1064 (g) Subject to the provisions of this subsection, no funds received by 1065 a town pursuant to subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-16u 1066 shall be used to supplant federal, state or local funding received by such 1067 town for early childhood education, provided a town may use an 1068 amount determined in accordance with this subsection for coordination, 1069 program evaluation and administration. Such amount shall be at least 1070 five per cent of the total grant allocation, but not more than seventy-five 1071 thousand dollars and shall be determined by the commissioner based 1072 on the school readiness grant award allocated to the town pursuant to 1073 subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-16u and the number of 1074 operating sites for coordination, program evaluation and 1075 administration. Such amount shall be increased by an amount equal to 1076 local funding provided for early childhood education coordination, 1077 program evaluation and administration, not to exceed twenty-five 1078 thousand dollars. Each town that receives a grant pursuant to 1079 subsection (c) or (d) of this section or section 10-16u shall designate a 1080 person to be responsible for such coordination, program evaluation and 1081 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 35 of 43 administration and to act as a liaison between the town and the 1082 commissioner. Each school readiness program that receives funds 1083 pursuant to this section or section 10-16u shall provide information to 1084 the commissioner or the school readiness council, as requested, that is 1085 necessary for purposes of any school readiness program evaluation. 1086 (h) Any town receiving a grant pursuant to this section may use such 1087 grant, with the approval of the commissioner, to prepare a facility or 1088 staff for operating a school readiness program and shall be adjusted 1089 based on the number of days of operation of a school readiness program 1090 if a shorter term of operation is approved by the commissioner. 1091 (i) A town may use grant funds to purchase spaces for eligible 1092 children who reside in such town at an accredited school readiness 1093 program located in another town. A regional school readiness council 1094 may use grant funds to purchase spaces for eligible children who reside 1095 in the region covered by the council at an accredited school readiness 1096 program located outside such region. 1097 (j) Children enrolled in school readiness programs funded pursuant 1098 to this section shall not be counted (1) as resident students for purposes 1099 of subdivision (22) of section 10-262f, or (2) in the determination of 1100 average daily membership pursuant to subdivision (2) of subsection (a) 1101 of section 10-261. 1102 (k) (1) Up to two per cent of the amount of the appropriation for this 1103 section may be allocated to the competitive grant program pursuant to 1104 subsection (d) of this section. The determination of the amount of such 1105 allocation shall be made on or before August first. 1106 (2) Up to two per cent of the amount of the appropriation for this 1107 section may be used by the commissioner in a manner consistent with 1108 the provisions of section 10-509. 1109 [(l) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, and each fiscal year 1110 thereafter, any school readiness program that (1) is licensed by the 1111 Office of Early Childhood pursuant to chapter 368a, (2) provides full-1112 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 36 of 43 day and year-round child care and education programs for children, 1113 and (3) receives funds pursuant to this section or section 10-16u, shall 1114 use any amount of the per child cost as described in subdivision (1) of 1115 subsection (b) of section 10-16q that is over the amount of eight 1116 thousand nine hundred twenty-seven dollars, exclusively to increase 1117 the salaries of those individuals with direct responsibility for teaching 1118 or caring for children in a classroom at such school readiness program.] 1119 Sec. 15. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) (a) As used in this section and 1120 section 16 of this act: 1121 (1) "Compensation schedule" means the early childhood educator 1122 compensation schedule developed by the Office of Early Childhood 1123 pursuant to section 10-531 of the general statutes, as amended by this 1124 act; 1125 (2) "Early childhood care and education program" means a child care 1126 services provider, early childhood education program or license-exempt 1127 early childhood provider; 1128 (3) "Child care services provider" means a child care center or a group 1129 child care home, as those terms are described in section 19a-77 of the 1130 general statutes, as amended by this act; 1131 (4) "Early childhood education program" means a private preschool 1132 program, a school readiness program or program pursuant to section 8-1133 210 of the general statutes, as amended by this act; 1134 (5) "School readiness program" has the same meaning as provided in 1135 section 10-16p of the general statutes, as amended by this act; 1136 (6) "License-exempt early childhood provider" means any child care 1137 services provider or school readiness program that accepts state funds 1138 for infant, toddler and preschool spaces associated with such program 1139 that is not required to be licensed pursuant to subsection (b) of section 1140 19a-77 of the general statutes, and is located in a public school building 1141 but is not administered by a public school system; 1142 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 37 of 43 (7) "Employee" means a person who is employed by an early 1143 childhood care and education program and meets the eligibility criteria 1144 described in the compensation schedule and policy developed by the 1145 Office of Early Childhood pursuant to subsection (e) of this section; 1146 (8) "Base salary" means the annual salary that an employee was paid 1147 on December 31, 2021, or, if the position was vacant on December 31, 1148 2021, the starting annual salary for such position on said date; 1149 (9) "Benefits amount" means seven thousand five hundred dollars; 1150 (10) "Individual employee salary enhancement amount" means, for 1151 any fiscal year, the sum of (A) the difference between (i) the salary 1152 prescribed in the compensation schedule for an employee, and (ii) the 1153 amount of such employee's base salary, and (B) the benefits amount; 1154 (11) "Salary enhancement amount" means the sum of the total 1155 individual employee salary enhancement amounts for all employees of 1156 an early childhood care and education program for the fiscal year; and 1157 (12) "Family child care home" has the same meaning as provided in 1158 section 19a-77 of the general statutes, as amended by this act. 1159 (b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, and each fiscal year 1160 thereafter, the Office of Early Childhood shall administer the early 1161 childhood care and education salary enhancement grant program. The 1162 office shall annually pay to each early childhood care and education 1163 program a salary enhancement grant in the amount of such program's 1164 salary enhancement amount. Such programs shall distribute such grant 1165 funds to its employees in accordance with the policy developed by the 1166 Commissioner of Early Childhood pursuant to subsection (e) of this 1167 section. 1168 (c) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, and each fiscal year 1169 thereafter, the office shall annually pay to each family child care home 1170 a salary enhancement grant as follows: (1) Twenty thousand dollars for 1171 each licensee of a family child care home, (2) six thousand dollars for 1172 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 38 of 43 each full-time assistant or substitute staff member approved by the 1173 Commissioner of Early Childhood pursuant to section 19a-87b of the 1174 general statutes, and (3) three thousand dollars for each part-time 1175 assistant or substitute staff member approved by the commissioner 1176 pursuant to section 19a-87b of the general statutes, and employed by the 1177 family child care home. The licensee shall distribute such grant funds in 1178 accordance with the policy developed by the commissioner pursuant to 1179 subsection (e) of this section. 1180 (d) Each early childhood care and education program shall register, 1181 at such time and in such manner as prescribed by the commissioner, 1182 with the Office of Early Childhood to receive a grant under the program. 1183 Upon registration, such program shall provide any information 1184 required by the office, in accordance with the policy developed by the 1185 commissioner pursuant to subsection (e) of this section. 1186 (e) Not later than October 1, 2022, the commissioner shall develop a 1187 policy for the administration of the early childhood care and education 1188 salary enhancement grant program. The policy shall include, but need 1189 not be limited to, eligibility criteria for the program, the registration 1190 process for the program, the distribution requirements of the grant and 1191 any other requirements the commissioner deems necessary. 1192 Sec. 16. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2022) On and after July 1, 2022, each 1193 employee of an early childhood care and education program shall be 1194 paid an annual salary as prescribed in the compensation schedule 1195 developed pursuant to section 10-531 of the general statutes, as 1196 amended by this act, except if an employee's salary is greater than the 1197 amount prescribed in such compensation schedule then such employee 1198 shall be paid such greater amount. 1199 Sec. 17. Section 10-531 of the general statutes is repealed and the 1200 following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2022): 1201 (a) As used in this section: 1202 (1) "Early childhood education program" means any child care or 1203 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 39 of 43 school readiness program that accepts state funds for infant, toddler and 1204 preschool spaces associated with such program; 1205 (2) "Employee" means any person who is employed by an early 1206 childhood care and education program and meets the [applicable staff 1207 qualifications requirement, as defined in section 10-16p] eligibility 1208 criteria described in the compensation schedule and policy developed 1209 by the Office of Early Childhood pursuant to subsection (e) of section 1 1210 of this act; 1211 (3) "Compensation" means the salary, wages, benefits and other 1212 forms of valuable consideration earned by and provided to an employee 1213 in remuneration for services rendered; [and] 1214 (4) "Compensation schedule" means a list or lists specifying a series 1215 of compensation steps and ranges; [.] 1216 (5) "Early childhood care and education program" means a child care 1217 services provider or an early childhood education program; 1218 (6) "Child care services provider" means a child care center or a group 1219 child care home, as those terms are described in section 19a-77, as 1220 amended by this act; 1221 (7) "Early childhood education program" means a private preschool 1222 program, a school readiness program or program pursuant to section 8-1223 210, as amended by this act; and 1224 (8) "School readiness program" has the same meaning as provided in 1225 section 10-16p, as amended by this act. 1226 (b) The Office of Early Childhood shall establish, after notice and 1227 opportunity for public comment, a proposed early childhood educator 1228 compensation schedule for employees of early childhood education 1229 programs. 1230 (c) (1) The office shall consider the following factors in developing the 1231 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 40 of 43 proposed early childhood educator compensation schedule: (A) Level 1232 of education, (B) training in early childhood education or child 1233 development, (C) relevant employment experience, including the 1234 number of years an individual has been employed in an early childhood 1235 education program, (D) compensation levels for certified teachers 1236 employed in a preschool program operated by a local or regional board 1237 of education or regional educational service center, and (E) cost of living 1238 in the state. 1239 (2) In developing the proposed early childhood educator 1240 compensation schedule, the office may (A) consider the findings and 1241 recommendations provided in "A Plan to Assist Early Education State 1242 Funded Providers to Degree Attainment and Increased Compensation" 1243 created by the office, pursuant to section 4 of public act 15-134, to create 1244 a standardized salary scale and incentive package for early childhood 1245 educators, (B) utilize state and federal funding, and (C) examine existing 1246 programs that address early childhood educator compensation and staff 1247 retention through financial incentives, such as bonuses for degree or 1248 course completion. 1249 (3) The office shall establish a recommended minimum salary for 1250 employees as part of the proposed early childhood educator 1251 compensation schedule. 1252 (d) Not later than January 1, 2021, the office shall submit the proposed 1253 early childhood educator compensation schedule and a report to the 1254 joint standing committees of the General Assembly having cognizance 1255 of matters relating to education and appropriations and the budgets of 1256 state agencies, in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a. Such 1257 report shall include: (1) Any recommendations for legislation relating to 1258 state-wide implementation of the proposed early childhood educator 1259 compensation schedule, (2) an estimate of the cost of implementing the 1260 proposed early childhood educator compensation schedule state-wide, 1261 (3) an analysis of the effect of the state-wide implementation of the 1262 proposed early childhood educator compensation schedule on the 1263 number of available preschool seats, and (4) an explanation of how the 1264 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 41 of 43 proposed early childhood educator compensation schedule will be 1265 included in any quality rating and improvement system developed by 1266 the office, pursuant to subdivision (15) of subsection (b) of section 10-1267 500. 1268 (e) Not later than January 1, 2023, the office shall amend the 1269 compensation schedule to include employees of early childhood care 1270 and education programs. 1271 Sec. 18. (Effective July 1, 2022) The sum of sixty thousand dollars is 1272 appropriated to the Department of Education from the General Fund, 1273 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, for the purpose of hiring a full-1274 time employee to administer the grant program to provide grants to 1275 local and regional boards of education for the purpose of hiring and 1276 retaining additional school social workers and school psychologists 1277 described in section 2 of this act. 1278 Sec. 19. (Effective July 1, 2022) The sum of thirty thousand dollars is 1279 appropriated to the Department of Education from the General Fund, 1280 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, for the purpose of hiring a full-1281 time employee to administer the minority teacher candidate scholarship 1282 program established pursuant to section 9 of this act. 1283 Sec. 20. (Effective from passage) The sum of five hundred ninety 1284 thousand dollars of the amount appropriated in section 21 of this act to 1285 the Department of Public Health for school-based health clinics, for the 1286 fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, shall be made available for a grant to 1287 each of the thirty-six recommended sites for expanded mental health 1288 services contained in the final report of the School-Based Health Center 1289 Expansion Working Group, established pursuant to section 16 of public 1290 act 21-35. 1291 Sec. 21. (Effective from passage) The sum of twenty-one million two 1292 hundred forty thousand dollars is appropriated to the Department of 1293 Public Health from the General Fund, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1294 2022, for the purpose of expanding services of existing school-based 1295 Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 42 of 43 health centers to include mental health services in accordance with the 1296 provisions of section 20 of this act. 1297 Sec. 22. (Effective from passage) The sum of thirteen million dollars is 1298 allocated, in accordance with the provisions of special act 21-1, from the 1299 federal funds designated for the state pursuant to the provisions of 1300 section 602 of Subtitle M of Title IX of the American Rescue Plan Act of 1301 2021, P.L. 117-2, as amended from time to time, to the Department of 1302 Education, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2023, for support to the 1303 existing fifteen districts participating in the Learner Engagement and 1304 Attendance Program (LEAP) and expanding participation in the LEAP 1305 program to include five additional high-need districts. 1306 Sec. 23. (Effective from passage) The sum of thirteen million dollars is 1307 allocated, in accordance with the provisions of special act 21-1, from the 1308 federal funds designated for the state pursuant to the provisions of 1309 section 602 of Subtitle M of Title IX of the American Rescue Plan Act of 1310 2021, P.L. 117-2, as amended from time to time, to the Department of 1311 Education, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, for support to the 1312 existing twenty districts participating in the Learner Engagement and 1313 Attendance Program (LEAP). 1314 This act shall take effect as follows and shall amend the following sections: Section 1 from passage New section Sec. 2 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 3 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 4 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 5 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 6 from passage 10-212a Sec. 7 July 1, 2022 21a-286 Sec. 8 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 9 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 10 from passage New section Sec. 11 from passage New section Sec. 12 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 13 July 1, 2022 10-16q(b)(1) Substitute Bill No. 1 LCO {\\PRDFS1\SCOUSERS\FORZANOF\WS\2022SB-00001- R03-SB.docx } 43 of 43 Sec. 14 July 1, 2022 10-16p Sec. 15 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 16 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 17 July 1, 2022 10-531 Sec. 18 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 19 July 1, 2022 New section Sec. 20 from passage New section Sec. 21 from passage New section Sec. 22 from passage New section Sec. 23 from passage New section ED Joint Favorable Subst. C/R APP APP Joint Favorable