Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78
AN ACT ASSISTING SCHOOL DISTRICTS IN IMPROVING
EDUCATIONAL OUTCOMES, IMPLEMENTING THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF THE DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
AND THE TECHNICAL EDUCATION AND CAREER SYSTEM AND
ESTABLISHING EARLY START CT.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives in General
Assembly convened:
Section 1. Subsection (a) of section 10-14z of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2024):
(a) There is established an Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities
within the Department of Education which shall be under the
management of a chief. The chief shall be qualified by training and
experience to perform the duties of the office, including, but not limited
to, expertise in higher education, dyslexia and structured literacy. The
Office of Dyslexia and Reading Disabilities shall (1) verify the
compliance of (A) educator preparation programs, as defined in section
10-146c, including intermediate administrator and supervisor
programs, and (B) applicants for an initial, provisional or professional
educator certificate pursuant to the provisions of chapter 166 relating to
scientifically-based reading research and instruction, as defined in
section 10-14u, structured literacy instruction and training, dyslexia
instruction and training, including, but not limited to, the compliance Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
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verifications required pursuant to sections 10-14aa to 10-14cc, inclusive;
(2) review and recommend changes, as necessary, to the State Board of
Education's process for approval of educator preparation programs
related to such compliance verifications; and (3) provide guidance to
and consult with the department's Talent Office related to such
compliance verifications.
Sec. 2. Subsection (a) of section 10-14gg of the 2024 supplement to the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) The Department of Education shall establish a Center for Literacy
Research and Reading Success within the department. The center shall
be responsible for (1) the implementation of the coordinated state-wide
reading plan for students in kindergarten to grade three, inclusive,
established pursuant to section 10-14v; (2) researching and developing,
in collaboration with the Office of Early Childhood, a birth to grade
twelve reading success strategy to be included in the alignment of
reading instruction with the two-generational initiative, established
pursuant to section 17b-112l; (3) (A) providing direct support to schools
and boards of education to improve reading outcomes for students in
kindergarten to grade three, inclusive, and other reading initiatives, and
(B) supporting teachers, schools and boards of education engaged in
improving through coaching, leadership training, professional
development, parental engagement and technical assistance that is
consistent with the intensive reading instruction program, as described
in section 10-14u and aligned with evidence-based practices; (4)
providing independent, random reviews of how a local or regional
board of education is implementing (A) a comprehensive reading
curriculum model or program for grades kindergarten to grade three,
inclusive, pursuant to section 10-14hh, and (B) an approved reading
assessment, pursuant to section 10-14t; (5) receiving and publicly
reporting, not later than September 1, 2025, and biennially thereafter, Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
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the comprehensive reading curriculum model or program being
implemented by each local and regional board of education pursuant to
section 10-14hh; (6) developing and maintaining an Internet web site for
the purpose of disseminating tools and information associated with the
intensive reading instruction program for student reading; and (7)
serving as a collaborative center for institutions of higher education and
making available to the faculty of teacher preparation programs [(A) the
science of teaching reading, (B) the intensive reading instruction
program, and (C) samples of available comprehensive reading
curriculum models or programs reviewed and approved pursuant to
section 10-14ii; and (8) reviewing and publicly reporting on progress
made by teacher preparation programs to include comprehensive
reading curriculum models or programs reviewed and approved
pursuant to section 10-14ii] (A) resources and research supporting
scientifically-based reading research and instruction, and (B)
Connecticut's K-3 Literacy Strategy, developed by the center.
Sec. 3. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) Not later than July 1, 2025, the
Department of Education shall develop compliance measures and audit
procedures to determine the compliance of educator preparation
programs, including intermediate administrator and supervisor
programs, in the provision of instruction on scientifically-based reading
research and instruction, as defined in section 10-14u of the general
statutes.
Sec. 4. (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) As used in this section, "advanced
course or program" means an honors class, advanced placement class,
International Baccalaureate program, Cambridge International
program, dual enrollment program, dual credit course or program,
early college program or any other advanced or accelerated course or
program that is offered, and for which credit is awarded, by a local or
regional board of education in grades nine to twelve, inclusive.
(b) The Department of Education shall conduct a study regarding the Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 4 of 43
feasibility of establishing and administering a state-wide program that
supports public high school students in participating in an advanced
course or program, and which gives priority to students from low-
income families. In conducting such study, the department shall consult
with local and regional boards of education and public and independent
institutions of higher education. Such study shall review current in-state
programs to provide advanced courses or programs, identify and
analyze similar programs in other states and provide recommendations
on the framework and criteria for implementing a state-wide program
in the state.
(c) Not later than January 1, 2026, the department shall submit such
report, and any recommendations on the establishment and
implementation of such state-wide program, to the joint standing
committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of matters
relating to education in accordance with the provisions of section 11-4a
of the general statutes.
Sec. 5. Subsection (f) of section 10-5 of the general statutes is repealed
and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(f) [Not later than September 1, 2017, the State Board of Education]
The Department of Education shall establish criteria by which a local or
regional board of education, or the governing board of any other school
that awards diplomas, may affix the Connecticut State Seal of Biliteracy
on a diploma awarded to a student who has achieved a high level of
proficiency in English and one or more foreign languages. For purposes
of this subsection, "foreign language" means a world language other
than English and includes American Sign Language and any other
language spoken by a [federally recognized] Native American tribe.
Sec. 6. Subdivision (1) of subsection (k) of section 10-264l of the 2024
supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage): Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
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(k) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, and each fiscal year
thereafter, any tuition charged to a local or regional board of education
by (A) a regional educational service center operating an interdistrict
magnet school, [or any tuition charged by] (B) the Hartford school
district operating the Great Path Academy on behalf of Manchester
Community College, or (C) any interdistrict magnet school operator
described in section 10-264s, for any student enrolled in kindergarten to
grade twelve, inclusive, in such interdistrict magnet school shall be in
an amount equal to the difference between (A) the average per pupil
expenditure of the magnet school for the prior fiscal year, and (B) the
amount of any per pupil state subsidy calculated under subsection (c)
of this section plus any revenue from other sources calculated on a per
pupil basis, except for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, and each
fiscal year thereafter, the per student tuition charged to a local or
regional board of education shall not exceed fifty-eight per cent the per
student tuition charged during the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024. If
any such board of education fails to pay such tuition, the commissioner
may withhold from such board's town or towns a sum payable under
section 10-262i in an amount not to exceed the amount of the unpaid
tuition to the magnet school and pay such money to the fiscal agent for
the magnet school as a supplementary grant for the operation of the
interdistrict magnet school program. In no case shall the sum of such
tuitions exceed the difference between (i) the total expenditures of the
magnet school for the prior fiscal year, and (ii) the total per pupil state
subsidy calculated under subsection (c) of this section plus any revenue
from other sources. The commissioner may conduct a comprehensive
financial review of the operating budget of a magnet school to verify
such tuition rate.
Sec. 7. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) In determining the rights and
benefits earned by a teacher under sections 10-151 and 10-156 of the
general statutes, employment in a school operated by Goodwin
University Magnet Schools, Inc. or Goodwin University Educational Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
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Services, Inc. shall not be deemed to interrupt the continuous
employment of a teacher who was employed by a local or regional board
of education during the school year immediately prior to employment
in such school and such teacher shall continue as an employee of
Goodwin University Magnet Schools, Inc. or Goodwin University
Educational Services, Inc., subject to the provisions of section 10-151 of
the general statutes.
Sec. 8. Section 10-264o of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from
passage):
(a) Notwithstanding any provision of this chapter, interdistrict
magnet schools that begin operations on or after July 1, 2008, pursuant
to the decision in Sheff v. O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related
stipulation or order in effect, as determined by the Commissioner of
Education, may operate without district participation agreements and
enroll students from any district through a lottery designated by the
commissioner.
(b) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, and each fiscal year
thereafter, any tuition charged to a local or regional board of education
by a regional educational service center or by Goodwin University
Magnet Schools operating an interdistrict magnet school assisting the
state in meeting its obligations pursuant to the decision in Sheff v.
O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect,
as determined by the Commissioner of Education, for any student
enrolled in kindergarten to grade twelve, inclusive, in such interdistrict
magnet school shall be in an amount equal to the difference between (1)
the average per pupil expenditure of the magnet school for the prior
fiscal year, and (2) the amount of any per pupil state subsidy calculated
under subsection (c) of section 10-264l, plus any revenue from other
sources calculated on a per pupil basis, except for the fiscal year ending
June 30, 2025, and each fiscal year thereafter, the per student tuition Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
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charged to a local or regional board of education shall not exceed fifty-
eight per cent the per student tuition charged during the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2024. If any such board of education fails to pay such
tuition, the commissioner may withhold from such board's town or
towns a sum payable under section 10-262i in an amount not to exceed
the amount of the unpaid tuition to the magnet school and pay such
money to the fiscal agent for the magnet school as a supplementary
grant for the operation of the interdistrict magnet school program. In no
case shall the sum of such tuitions exceed the difference between (A) the
total expenditures of the magnet school for the prior fiscal year, and (B)
the total per pupil state subsidy calculated under subsection (c) of
section 10-264l, plus any revenue from other sources. The commissioner
may conduct a comprehensive review of the operating budget of a
magnet school to verify such tuition rate.
(c) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2013, a regional educational
service center operating an interdistrict magnet school assisting the state
in meeting its obligations pursuant to the decision in Sheff v. O'Neill,
238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect, as
determined by the Commissioner of Education, and offering a preschool
program shall not charge tuition for a child enrolled in such preschool
program.
(2) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2014, a regional educational
service center operating an interdistrict magnet school assisting the state
in meeting its obligations pursuant to the decision in Sheff v. O'Neill,
238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect, as
determined by the Commissioner of Education, and offering a preschool
program may charge tuition to the Department of Education for a child
enrolled in such preschool program in an amount not to exceed an
amount equal to the difference between (A) the average per pupil
expenditure of the preschool program offered at the magnet school for
the prior fiscal year, and (B) the amount of any per pupil state subsidy Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
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calculated under subsection (c) of section 10-264l, plus any revenue from
other sources calculated on a per pupil basis. The commissioner may
conduct a comprehensive review of the operating budget of any such
magnet school charging such tuition to verify such tuition rate.
(3) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2015, a regional educational
service center operating an interdistrict magnet school assisting the state
in meeting its obligations pursuant to the decision in Sheff v. O'Neill,
238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect, as
determined by the Commissioner of Education, and offering a preschool
program may charge tuition to the parent or guardian of a child enrolled
in such preschool program in an amount that is in accordance with the
sliding tuition scale adopted by the State Board of Education pursuant
to section 10-264p. The Department of Education shall be financially
responsible for any unpaid portion of the tuition not charged to such
parent or guardian under such sliding tuition scale. Such tuition shall
not exceed an amount equal to the difference between (A) the average
per pupil expenditure of the preschool program offered at the magnet
school for the prior fiscal year, and (B) the amount of any per pupil state
subsidy calculated under subsection (c) of section 10-264l, plus any
revenue from other sources calculated on a per pupil basis. The
commissioner may conduct a comprehensive review of the operating
budget of any such magnet school charging such tuition to verify such
tuition rate.
(4) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2016, and each fiscal year
thereafter, a regional educational service center or Goodwin University
Magnet Schools operating an interdistrict magnet school assisting the
state in meeting its obligations pursuant to the decision in Sheff v.
O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect,
as determined by the Commissioner of Education, and offering a
preschool program shall charge tuition to the parent or guardian of a
child enrolled in such preschool program in an amount up to four Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 9 of 43
thousand fifty-three dollars, except such regional educational service
center or Goodwin University Magnet Schools shall not charge tuition
to such parent or guardian with a family income at or below seventy-
five per cent of the state median income. The Department of Education
shall, within available appropriations, be financially responsible for any
unpaid tuition charged to such parent or guardian with a family income
at or below seventy-five per cent of the state median income. The
commissioner may conduct a comprehensive financial review of the
operating budget of any such magnet school charging such tuition to
verify such tuition rate.
Sec. 9. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 10-264l of the 2024
supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) The Department of Education shall, within available
appropriations, establish a grant program (1) to assist (A) local and
regional boards of education, (B) regional educational service centers,
(C) the Board of Trustees of the Community-Technical Colleges on
behalf of Quinebaug Valley Community College and Three Rivers
Community College, and (D) cooperative arrangements pursuant to
section 10-158a, and (2) in assisting the state in meeting its obligations
pursuant to the decision in Sheff v. O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any
related stipulation or order in effect, as determined by the
commissioner, to assist (A) the Board of Trustees of the Community-
Technical Colleges on behalf of a regional community-technical college,
(B) the Board of Trustees of the Connecticut State University System on
behalf of a state university, (C) the Board of Trustees of The University
of Connecticut on behalf of the university, (D) the board of governors
for an independent institution of higher education, as defined in
subsection (a) of section 10a-173, or the equivalent of such a board, on
behalf of the independent institution of higher education, and (E) any
other third-party not-for-profit corporation approved by the Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 10 of 43
commissioner with the operation of interdistrict magnet school
programs. All interdistrict magnet schools shall be operated in
conformance with the same laws and regulations applicable to public
schools. For the purposes of this section "an interdistrict magnet school
program" means a program which (i) supports racial, ethnic and
economic diversity, (ii) offers a special and high quality curriculum, and
(iii) requires students who are enrolled to attend at least half-time. An
interdistrict magnet school program does not include a regional
agricultural science and technology school, a technical education and
career school or a regional special education center. For the school year
commencing July 1, 2017, and each school year thereafter, the governing
authority for each interdistrict magnet school program shall (I) restrict
the number of students that may enroll in the school from a participating
district to seventy-five per cent of the total school enrollment, and (II)
maintain a total school enrollment that is in accordance with the
[reduced-isolation setting] enrollment standards for interdistrict
magnet school programs, developed by the Commissioner of Education
pursuant to section 10-264r, as amended by this act.
(b) (1) Applications for interdistrict magnet school program
operating grants awarded pursuant to this section shall be submitted
annually to the Commissioner of Education at such time and in such
manner as the commissioner prescribes, except that on and after July 1,
2009, applications for such operating grants for new interdistrict magnet
schools, other than those that the commissioner determines will assist
the state in meeting its obligations pursuant to the decision in Sheff v.
O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect,
as determined by the commissioner, shall not be accepted until the
commissioner develops a comprehensive state-wide interdistrict
magnet school plan. The commissioner shall submit such
comprehensive state-wide interdistrict magnet school plan on or before
October 1, 2016, to the joint standing committees of the General
Assembly having cognizance of matters relating to education and Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 11 of 43
appropriations.
(2) In determining whether an application shall be approved and
funds awarded pursuant to this section, the commissioner shall
consider, but such consideration shall not be limited to: (A) Whether the
program offered by the school is likely to increase student achievement;
(B) whether the program is likely to reduce racial, ethnic and economic
isolation; (C) the percentage of the student enrollment in the program
from each participating district; and (D) the proposed operating budget
and the sources of funding for the interdistrict magnet school. For a
magnet school not operated by a local or regional board of education,
the commissioner shall only approve a proposed operating budget that,
on a per pupil basis, does not exceed the maximum allowable threshold
established in accordance with this subdivision. The maximum
allowable threshold shall be an amount equal to one hundred twenty
per cent of the state average of the quotient obtained by dividing net
current expenditures, as defined in section 10-261, by average daily
membership, as defined in said section, for the fiscal year two years
prior to the fiscal year for which the operating grant is requested. The
Department of Education shall establish the maximum allowable
threshold no later than December fifteenth of the fiscal year prior to the
fiscal year for which the operating grant is requested. If requested by an
applicant that is not a local or regional board of education, the
commissioner may approve a proposed operating budget that exceeds
the maximum allowable threshold if the commissioner determines that
there are extraordinary programmatic needs. For the fiscal years ending
June 30, 2017, [June 30, 2018, June 30, 2020, and June 30, 2021] to June 30,
2025, inclusive, in the case of an interdistrict magnet school that will
assist the state in meeting its obligations pursuant to the decision in
Sheff v. O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order
in effect, as determined by the commissioner, the commissioner shall
also consider whether the school is meeting the [reduced-isolation
setting] enrollment standards for interdistrict magnet school programs, Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 12 of 43
developed by the commissioner pursuant to section 10-264r, as
amended by this act. If such school has not met such [reduced-isolation
setting] enrollment standards, it shall not be entitled to receive a grant
pursuant to this section unless the commissioner finds that it is
appropriate to award a grant for an additional year or years and
approves a plan to bring such school into compliance with such
[reduced-isolation setting] enrollment standards. If requested by the
commissioner, the applicant shall meet with the commissioner or the
commissioner's designee to discuss the budget and sources of funding.
(3) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2018, to June 30, 2025,
inclusive, the commissioner shall not award a grant to an interdistrict
magnet school program that (A) has more than seventy-five per cent of
the total school enrollment from one school district, or (B) does not
maintain a total school enrollment that is in accordance with the
[reduced-isolation setting] enrollment standards for interdistrict
magnet school programs, developed by the Commissioner of Education
pursuant to section 10-264r, as amended by this act, except the
commissioner may award a grant to such school for an additional year
or years if the commissioner finds it is appropriate to do so and
approves a plan to bring such school into compliance with such
residency or [reduced-isolation setting] enrollment standards.
(4) For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2018, to [June 30, 2021] June 30,
2025, inclusive, if an interdistrict magnet school program does not
maintain a total school enrollment that is in accordance with the
[reduced-isolation setting] enrollment standards for interdistrict
magnet school programs, developed by the commissioner pursuant to
section 10-264r, as amended by this act, for two or more consecutive
years, the commissioner may impose a financial penalty on the operator
of such interdistrict magnet school program, or take any other measure,
in consultation with such operator, as may be appropriate to assist such
operator in complying with such [reduced-isolation setting] enrollment Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 13 of 43
standards.
Sec. 10. Section 10-264r of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
1, 2024):
Not later than July 1, 2017, the Commissioner of Education shall
develop, and revise as necessary thereafter, reduced-isolation
enrollment standards for interdistrict magnet school programs that shall
serve as the enrollment requirements for purposes of section 10-264l, as
amended by this act. Such standards shall (1) comply with the decision
of Sheff v. O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order
in effect, for an interdistrict magnet school program located in the Sheff
region, as defined in subsection (k) of section 10-264l, as amended by
this act, (2) define the term "reduced-isolation student" for purposes of
the standards, (3) establish a requirement for the minimum percentage
of reduced-isolation students that can be enrolled in an interdistrict
magnet school program, provided such minimum percentage is not less
than twenty per cent of the total school enrollment, (4) allow an
interdistrict magnet school program to have a total school enrollment of
reduced-isolation students that is not more than one per cent below the
minimum percentage established by the commissioner, provided the
commissioner approves a plan that is designed to bring the number of
reduced-isolation students of such interdistrict magnet school program
into compliance with the minimum percentage, and (5) for the school
year commencing July 1, 2018, authorize the commissioner to establish
on or before May 1, 2018, and revise as necessary thereafter, an
alternative reduced-isolation student enrollment percentage for an
interdistrict magnet school program located in the Sheff region,
provided the commissioner (A) determines that such alternative (i)
increases opportunities for students who are residents of Hartford to
access an educational setting with reduced racial isolation or other
categories of diversity, including, but not limited to, geography, Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 14 of 43
socioeconomic status, special education, multilingual learners and
academic achievement, (ii) complies with the decision of Sheff v.
O'Neill, 238 Conn. 1 (1996), or any related stipulation or order in effect,
and (B) approves a plan for such interdistrict magnet school program
that is designed to bring the number of reduced-isolation students of
such interdistrict magnet school program into compliance with such
alternative or the minimum percentage described in subdivision (2) of
this section. Not later than May 1, 2018, the commissioner shall submit
a report on each alternative reduced-isolation student enrollment
percentage established, pursuant to subdivision (4) of this section, for
an interdistrict magnet school program located in the Sheff region to the
joint standing committee of the General Assembly having cognizance of
matters relating to education, in accordance with the provisions of
section 11-4a. The reduced-isolation [setting] enrollment standards for
interdistrict magnet school programs shall not be deemed to be
regulations, as defined in section 4-166.
Sec. 11. Subsection (b) of section 22-38d of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2024):
(b) The Department of Education, in consultation with the
Department of Agriculture, school food service directors and interested
farming organizations, shall (1) establish a week-long promotional
event, to be known as Connecticut-Grown for Connecticut Kids Week,
in late September or early October each year, that will promote
Connecticut agriculture and foods to children through school meal and
classroom programs, at farms, farmers' markets and other locations in
the community, (2) encourage and solicit school districts, individual
schools and other educational institutions under its jurisdiction to
purchase Connecticut-grown farm products, (3) provide outreach,
guidance and training to districts, parent and teacher organizations,
schools and school food service directors concerning the value of and Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 15 of 43
procedure for purchasing and incorporating into their regular menus
Connecticut-grown farm products, (4) in consultation with the
Department of Agriculture, arrange for local, regional and state-wide
events where potential purchasers and farmers can interact, and (5)
provide technical assistance and support for schools to arrange for
interaction between students and farmers, including field trips to farms
and in-school presentations by farmers.
Sec. 12. Subsections (a) and (b) of section 10-74o of the 2024
supplement to the general statutes are repealed and the following is
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) As used in this section and sections 10-74q and 10-74r, as amended
by this act:
(1) "Transition service" [means a service for a student who requires
special education that facilitates the student's transition from school to
postsecondary activities such as postsecondary education and training,
employment or independent living] has the same meaning as provided
in 34 CFR 300.43, as amended from time to time;
(2) "Transition resources" means sources of information, counseling
or training concerning transition services or programs;
(3) ["Public transition program"] "Transition program" means a
program [operated by a local or regional board of education or a
regional educational service center] to provide transition services as
recommended by the planning and placement team for a student who
requires special education and is eighteen to twenty-two years of age,
inclusive, based on the goals set forth in such student's individualized
education program; and
(4) "Transition coordinator" means a director of pupil personnel or
other person employed by a local or regional board of education, as
designated by such director, who assists parents and students in the Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 16 of 43
school district governed by such board navigate the transition resources,
transition services and [public] transition programs operated by a local
or regional board of education or a regional educational service center
available for such students.
(b) The Department of Education shall employ a State-wide
Transition Services Coordinator within the Bureau of Special Education.
The State-wide Transition Services Coordinator shall (1) coordinate the
provision of transition resources, transition services and [public]
transition programs operated by a local or regional board of education
or a regional educational service center throughout the state in
collaboration with the liaisons appointed by other state agencies
pursuant to section 10-74m, as amended by this act, (2) establish
minimum standards for [public] transition programs operated by a local
or regional board of education or a regional educational service center
and metrics for measuring such standards, (3) perform [unannounced]
site visits of [public] transition programs operated by a local or regional
board of education or a regional educational service center for the
purpose of determining the effectiveness of and suggesting
improvements to such programs and post data on the department's
Internet web site related to how such [public] transition program
measured against the minimum standards established pursuant to
subdivision (2) of this subsection, except the State-wide Transition
Services Coordinator or the Department of Education may perform any
necessary unannounced site visit of such transition programs in
addition to the site visits described in this subdivision, (4) develop and
make available on the department's Internet web site a course for
educators and school staff who do not provide transition services to
inform such educators and staff about transition services and programs,
including, but not limited to, about the purpose, essential programming
and deadlines of such programs, (5) establish minimum standards for
the training of transition coordinators and maintain a record of each
transition coordinator completing the training program developed by Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 17 of 43
the Department of Education pursuant to section 10-74r, as amended by
this act, and (6) establish best practices for the provision of transition
services and distribute such best practices to each transition coordinator.
Sec. 13. Section 10-74m of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes
is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July
1, 2024):
(a) The Department of Education shall enter into memoranda of
understanding with the Office of Early Childhood and the Departments
of Developmental Services, Aging and Disability Services, Children and
Families, Social Services and Correction regarding the provision of
special education and related services to children, including, but not
limited to, education, health care, transition resources, transition
services and [public] transition programs, as those terms are defined in
section 10-74o, as amended by this act. Such memoranda of
understanding shall account for current programs and services, utilize
best practices and be updated or renewed at least every five years.
(b) The Office of Early Childhood and the Departments of
Developmental Services, Aging and Disability Services, Children and
Families, Social Services and Correction shall, as necessary, enter into
memoranda of understanding regarding the provision of special
education and related services to children as such services relate to one
another. Such memoranda of understanding shall account for current
programs and services, utilize best practices and be updated or renewed
at least every five years.
(c) The Office of Early Childhood and the Departments of
Developmental Services, Aging and Disability Services, Children and
Families, the Labor Department, Mental Health and Addiction Services,
Public Health, Social Services and Correction shall each appoint an
employee to act as a liaison to the Department of Education's State-wide
Transition Services Coordinator, established pursuant to section 10-74o, Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 18 of 43
as amended by this act. Each liaison shall provide information and
advice to such coordinator concerning the transition resources,
transition services and [public] transition programs provided by the
agency such liaison represents.
Sec. 14. Subsection (a) of section 10-74n of the 2024 supplement to the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) The [State Education Resource Center, established pursuant to
section 10-357a] Department of Education's State-wide Transition
Services Coordinator, established pursuant to section 10-74o, as
amended by this act, in collaboration with the [Departments of
Education, Developmental Services, Social Services and Aging and
Disability Services and the Offices of Workforce Strategy and Policy and
Management] liaisons appointed by other state agencies pursuant to
section 10-74m, as amended by this act, shall: (1) Develop and maintain
an easily accessible and navigable online listing of the transition
resources, transition services and [public] transition programs, as those
terms are defined in section 10-74o, as amended by this act, provided by
each such [center, department or office] state agency, including, but not
limited to, for each resource, service and program (A) a plain language
description, (B) eligibility requirements, and (C) application deadlines
and instructions, and (2) annually collect information related to
transition resources, programs and services provided by other state
agencies. The Departments of Aging and Disability Services,
Developmental Services, [and] Social Services, Children and Families,
Mental Health and Addiction Services, Public Health and Correction,
the Labor Department and the Office of [Policy and Management] Early
Childhood shall each post a link to such online listing on an easily
accessible location of said departments' Internet web sites.
Sec. 15. Subsection (a) of section 10-74r of the 2024 supplement to the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 19 of 43
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) Not later than January 1, 2024, each local and regional board of
education shall ensure that a transition coordinator has been
designated, who may be the director of pupil personnel or another
employee of such board appointed as transition coordinator by such
director. Each transition coordinator shall (1) complete the training
program developed by the Department of Education pursuant to
subsection (a) of section 10-74q, provided (A) each transition
coordinator appointed prior to the date upon which the training
program commences shall complete such training program during the
three-year period immediately following such date, and (B) each new
transition coordinator appointed after such date shall complete such
training program not later than one year after being appointed, and (2)
ensure that parents of students requiring special education receive
information concerning transition resources, transition services or
[public] transition programs in accordance with section 10-74n, as
amended by this act, and are aware of the eligibility requirements and
application details of such resources, services and programs that
specifically apply to such student.
Sec. 16. Subparagraph (B) of subdivision (9) of subsection (a) of
section 10-76d of the 2024 supplement to the general statutes is repealed
and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(B) At the first planning and placement team meeting when a child
reaches the age of fourteen and has a statement of transition service
needs included in such child's individualized education program
pursuant to subparagraph (A) of this subdivision, the planning and
placement team shall, for each [public] transition program, as defined
in section 10-74o, as amended by this act, operated by the local or
regional board of education or the regional educational service center
where the board is located and each program for [adults] adult services
for which such child may be eligible after graduation, (i) upon the Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 20 of 43
approval of the parent or guardian of such child, or a surrogate parent
of such child appointed pursuant to section 10-94g, or such child if such
child is an emancipated minor, notify the state agency that provides
such program about the potential eligibility of such child, and (ii)
provide such parent, guardian, surrogate parent or child a listing of such
programs that includes, but is not limited to, (I) a plain language
description of such program, (II) eligibility requirements for such
program, and (III) deadlines and instructions for applications for such
programs.
Sec. 17. Subsection (b) of section 10-95i of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1,
2024):
(b) During the five-year period beginning January 1, 2020, and during
each five-year period thereafter, the board shall evaluate each existing
technical education and career school trade program in accordance with
a schedule which the board shall establish. A trade program may be
reauthorized for a period of not more than five years following each
evaluation on the basis of: The projected employment demand for
students enrolled in the trade program, including consideration of the
employment of graduates of the program during the preceding five
years; anticipated technological changes; the availability of qualified
instructors; the existence of similar programs at other educational
institutions; and student interest in the trade program. As part of the
evaluation, the board shall consider geographic differences that may
make a trade program feasible at one school and not another and
whether certain combinations of program offerings shall be required.
Prior to any final decision on the reauthorization of a trade program, the
board shall consult with the [craft] program advisory committees for the
trade program being evaluated.
Sec. 18. Section 10-95j of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 21 of 43
The Technical Education and Career System board shall include in
the report required pursuant to section 10-95k, a summary of the
following:
(1) Admissions policies for the Technical Education and Career
System;
(2) Recruitment and retention of faculty;
(3) Efforts to strengthen consideration of the needs of and to develop
greater public awareness of the Technical Education and Career System;
and
(4) Efforts to strengthen the role of [career and technical education]
program advisory committees and increase employer participation.
Sec. 19. Section 10-96c of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
The executive director of the Technical Education and Career System
may indemnify and hold harmless any person, as defined in section 1-
79, who makes a gift of tangible property or properties with a fair
market value in excess of one thousand dollars to the Technical
Education and Career System for instructional purposes. Any
indemnification under this section shall be solely for any damages
caused as a result of the use of such tangible property, provided there
shall be no indemnification for any liability resulting from (1)
intentional or wilful misconduct by the person providing such tangible
property to [the department or] the Technical Education and Career
System, or (2) hidden defects in such tangible property that are known
to and not disclosed by the person providing such tangible property to
[the department or] the Technical Education and Career System at the
time the gift is made.
Sec. 20. Section 10-66p of the general statutes is repealed and the Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 22 of 43
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 4-98, 4-212 to 4-219,
inclusive, 4a-51 and 4a-57, the Commissioner of Education may allocate
funds to allow regional educational service centers and state education
organizations to provide professional development services, technical
assistance and evaluation activities to local and regional boards of
education, state charter schools, technical education and career schools,
school readiness providers and other educational entities, as
determined by the commissioner. Regional educational service centers
and state education organizations shall expend such funds in
accordance with procedures and conditions prescribed by the
commissioner. For purposes of this [section] subsection, state education
organizations may include, but not be limited to, organizations or
associations representing superintendents, boards of education and
elementary and secondary schools.
(b) Notwithstanding the provisions of sections 4-98, 4-212 to 4-219,
inclusive, 4a-51 and 4a-57, the executive director of the Technical
Education and Career System may allocate funds to allow regional
educational service centers to provide professional development
services, technical assistance, special education services and evaluation
activities to technical education and career schools, as determined by the
executive director. Regional educational service centers shall expend
such funds in accordance with procedures and conditions prescribed by
the executive director.
Sec. 21. Section 10-95 of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
There is established a state-wide system of technical education and
career schools to be known as the Technical Education and Career
System. The Technical Education and Career System shall offer (1) full-
time comprehensive secondary education at technical high schools Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 23 of 43
located throughout the state, and [may offer] (2) part-time, [and]
evening [,] and extracurricular programs in vocational, technical,
technological and postsecondary education and training.
Sec. 22. Section 10-95p of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective from passage):
(a) There is established a division of postsecondary educational
programs within the Technical Education and Career System. The
division shall administer any postsecondary educational program that
(1) was offered at a technical education and career school during the
school year commencing July 1, 2016, or (2) is approved by the Technical
Education and Career System board. [on or after July 5, 2017.]
(b) Any student admitted for enrollment in a postsecondary
educational program administered by the division shall have a high
school diploma or its equivalent, or [be twenty-one years of age or older]
have completed the school year in which such student reaches twenty-
two years of age.
Sec. 23. Section 10-76q of the general statutes is repealed and the
following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) The Technical Education and Career System, established pursuant
to section 10-95, as amended by this act, shall: (1) Provide the
professional services necessary to identify, in accordance with section
10-76a, children requiring special education who are enrolled at a
technical education and career school; (2) identify each such child; (3)
determine the appropriateness of the technical education and career
school for the educational needs of each such child; (4) provide an
appropriate educational program for each such child, including, but not
limited to, providing and funding transition programs, as defined in
section 10-74o, as amended by this act; (5) maintain a record thereof; and
(6) annually evaluate the progress and accomplishments of special Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 24 of 43
education programs provided by the Technical Education and Career
System.
(b) Where it is deemed appropriate that a child enrolled in a technical
education and career school receive special education, the parents or
guardian of such child shall have a right to the hearing and appeal
process as provided for in section 10-76h.
(c) Prior to a student's enrollment in a technical education and career
school, the local or regional board of education for the town in which
such student resides shall convene a planning and placement team
meeting, except the planning and placement team meeting for a student
who has been educated in a home shall be convened by the Technical
Education and Career System. The purpose of such meeting shall be to
address such student's transition to such technical education and career
school and ensure that such student's individualized education
program reflects the current supports and services that such student
requires in order to access a free and appropriate public education in the
least restrictive environment. A representative from such technical
education and career school shall be invited to such meeting.
Sec. 24. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) As used in this section and
sections 25 to 32, inclusive, of this act:
(1) "Accredited" means an early care and education program (A)
accredited by the National Association for the Education of Young
Children, National Association for Family Child Care or other
nationally recognized accreditations or certifications as approved by the
commissioner, or (B) that has received Early Head Start or Head Start
federal approval;
(2) "Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Early Childhood;
and
(3) "Office" means the Office of Early Childhood. Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 25 of 43
Sec. 25. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) The Office of Early Childhood
shall operate and administer Early Start CT in order to provide state
funding to early care and education programs throughout the state and
coordinate and facilitate the efficient delivery of such early care and
education programs for eligible children. Under Early Start CT, the
office shall:
(1) Provide open access for infants and toddlers and preschool-age
children to high-quality early care and education programs that
promote the health and safety of children and prepare them for school;
(2) Provide opportunities for parents to choose among affordable and
accredited early care and education programs;
(3) Encourage coordination and cooperation among early care and
education programs and prevent the duplication of services;
(4) Identify the specific service needs and unique resources available
to particular municipalities;
(5) Prevent or minimize the potential for developmental delay in
children prior to their reaching the age of five;
(6) Strengthen the family through: (A) Encouragement of family
engagement and partnership in a child's development and education,
and (B) enhancement of a family's capacity to meet the special needs of
the children, including children with disabilities;
(7) Reduce educational costs by decreasing the need for special
education services for school-age children;
(8) Assure that children with disabilities are integrated into early care
and education programs available to children who do not have
disabilities;
(9) Improve the availability and quality of Early Start CT programs Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 26 of 43
and their coordination with the services of child care providers;
(10) Facilitate the racial, ethnic and socioeconomic diversity of the
children, families and staff in early care and education programs; and
(11) Maximize local and federal early care and education funding to
expand capacity and access.
Sec. 26. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) As part of Early Start CT, the
state, acting by and in the discretion of the Commissioner of Early
Childhood, may enter into direct or third-party contracts to provide
financial assistance to municipalities, local and regional boards of
education, regional educational service centers, family resource centers,
Head Start programs, preschool programs, nonprofit organizations,
child care centers, group child care homes, family child care homes, as
such terms are described in section 19a-77 of the general statutes, and
any other programs that meet standards established by the
commissioner for the purpose of operating early care and education
programs that focus on providing early childhood services based on
economic, social or environmental conditions, including in regions with
insufficient access to child care. At least sixty per cent of the eligible
children enrolled in an early care and education program receiving
financial assistance under Early Start CT shall be members of a family
that is at or below seventy-five per cent of the state median income. No
such financial assistance shall be available to (1) any such child care
center, group child care home or family child care home unless such
center or home has been licensed by the Commissioner of Early
Childhood pursuant to section 19a-80 or 19a-87b of the general statutes,
as amended by this act, or (2) any such local or regional board of
education or regional educational service center unless the preschool
program is approved by the Department of Education. The
commissioner shall ensure that the majority of such early care and
education programs receiving such financial assistance shall serve
children that reside in or attend early care and education programs Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 27 of 43
located in priority school districts pursuant to section 10-266p of the
general statutes, former priority school districts or towns with schools
deemed severe need schools because forty per cent or more of the
lunches served are served to students who are eligible for free or
reduced price lunches pursuant to federal law. In determining whether
to enter into a contract for financial assistance under this section, the
commissioner may consider (A) a community's participation in the
state's subsidized child care subsidy program established pursuant to
section 17b-749 of the general statutes, and (B) the Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention's social vulnerability index determined by
census tract.
(b) Any contract for financial assistance entered into under this
section shall be contingent upon available funding and a successful
application submitted to the office and which has been informed by the
appropriate local or regional governance partner's needs assessment
and community plan, as described in section 27 of this act.
(c) The office, in operating and administering Early Start CT, may
allocate an amount up to ten per cent of the total financial assistance
under the contract with each local or regional governance partner
established pursuant to section 27 of this act, but not more than one
hundred fifty thousand dollars, for coordination, program evaluation
and administration. Such amount shall be increased by an amount equal
to local funding provided for early childhood education coordination,
program evaluation and administration, not to exceed fifty thousand
dollars. Each local or regional governance partner shall designate a staff
person to be responsible for such coordination, program evaluation and
administration and to act as a liaison between the town or towns and
the commissioner.
(d) Any early care and education program receiving financial
assistance under Early Start CT shall not discriminate based on ancestry,
race, color, national origin, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 28 of 43
orientation, religion, learning, physical, intellectual or mental disability
or any other protected class described in chapter 814c of the general
statutes.
(e) No financial assistance received as part of Early Start CT under
this section shall be used to supplant federal, state or local funding
received for early care and education on behalf of children in an early
care and education program.
(f) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the office may pay, in
an individual contract entered into under this section, a per-child rate
or an amount per classroom that has been determined by the
commissioner. (A) The per-child rate paid by the office under this
section for each eligible child enrolled in a program under Early Start
CT who is three or four years of age and each child who is five years of
age and not eligible to enroll in school, pursuant to section 10-15c of the
general statutes, shall be at least ten thousand five hundred dollars for
each such child. The amount per classroom for such children described
in this subparagraph shall be at an equivalent rate per child multiplied
by the total capacity of the classroom as determined by the
commissioner on a case by case basis and established in the contract. (B)
The per-child rate paid by the office under this section for each eligible
child enrolled in a program under Early Start CT who is under the age
of three and enrolled in an infant or toddler classroom and not in a
preschool classroom shall be at least thirteen thousand five hundred
dollars for each such child. The amount per classroom for such children
described in this subparagraph shall be at an equivalent rate per child
multiplied by the total capacity of the classroom as determined by the
commissioner on a case by case basis and established in the contract.
(2) For purposes of implementing the provisions of this subsection,
the commissioner shall develop policies and procedures governing
classroom sizes, payments and required enrollment rates. The
commissioner shall use data-driven, outcomes-based contract Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 29 of 43
provisions to facilitate and incentivize full enrollment.
(g) The office may use up to three per cent of funds allocated to the
early care and education appropriation to evaluate program
effectiveness and impact on participating children, families and
programs, including, but not limited to, child outcomes, later school
performance, quality standards, professional development and
preparation, and parent engagement impact.
(h) Any Early Start CT facility that has been approved to operate an
early care or education program financed through the Connecticut
Health and Education Facilities Authority and has received a
commitment for debt service from the Department of Social Services,
pursuant to section 17b-749i of the general statutes, on or before June 30,
2014, and on or after July 1, 2014, from the office shall be exempt from
the requirement for issuance of requests for proposals.
Sec. 27. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) There shall be established,
within available appropriations, local or regional governance partners
to assist in the provision of early care and education in a community
under Early Start CT. A town or school district and appropriate
representatives of groups or entities interested in early care and
education in such town or school district may establish a local
governance partner. Two or more towns or school districts and
appropriate representatives of groups or entities interested in early care
and education in a region may establish a regional governance partner.
(b) The membership of each local or regional governance partner
shall reflect the racial, ethnic and socioeconomic composition of the
town or region it serves and consist of early care and education
stakeholders, including, but not limited to, elected and appointed
officials, parents, representatives with expertise in early care and
education, a representative, where applicable, of Smart Start established
pursuant to section 10-506 of the general statutes, as amended by this Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 30 of 43
act, local education and healthcare providers in the community, a local
homeless education liaison, community representatives from a
workforce or job training entity and other community representatives
who provide services to children.
(c) The role and responsibilities of a local or regional governance
partner shall include, but are not limited to, (1) conducting and
administering a data-driven needs assessment for its respective
community or region in accordance with the provisions of subsection
(d) of this section, (2) employing strategies to solicit parental
engagement and membership, (3) providing periodic technical
assistance regarding best practices in early care and education and
family engagement for its town or region, (4) jointly sponsoring with the
office, professional development opportunities, and (5) ensuring that
community outreach is regularly conducted and maintained with
community stakeholders.
(d) Each local or regional governance partner shall, within available
appropriations, conduct a data-driven needs assessment for the town or
region in which such partner serves. Such needs assessment may
include recommendations for the preferred distribution and allocation
of child care spaces within such partner's respective town or region, and,
subject to the office's approval, may include a data-driven methodology
to reassign child care spaces before the contract date has lapsed. Such
needs assessment shall be created by the office in collaboration with
communities and shall directly inform, among other things, the
assignment of child care spaces across a mixed-delivery system,
including, but not limited to, licensed family child care homes, group
child care homes, child care centers and license-exempt public schools.
(e) Each local or regional governance partner shall employ a staff
liaison to aid and support the local or regional governance partner in
implementing the provisions of this section. Each staff liaison shall
ensure (1) that partnerships are established and fostered among child Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 31 of 43
care providers, (2) that cooperation is maintained with the Office of
Early Childhood in monitoring and evaluating early care and education
programs, (3) that existing and potential resources and services
available to children and families are identified, (4) facilitation and
coordination of efficient, data-driven, delivery of services to children
and families, including (A) referral procedures, and (B) before and after
school child care for children attending school day, school year
programs, (5) the exchange of information with other community
organizations serving the needs of children and families, (6) that
recommendations are made to school officials concerning transition
from child care programs to preschool programs and kindergarten, (7)
that effective community engagement strategies are employed to ensure
diverse participation, (8) that biannual child assessments, approved by
the office, are performed at programs, and conducted in partnership
with families, and (9) collaboration with the office related to planning
improvements to the state early care and education governance
structure.
(f) The office shall monitor each local or regional governance partner
to ensure compliance with the provisions of this section.
Sec. 28. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) The Office of Early Childhood
shall establish a sliding fee scale for families that are enrolled in an early
care and education program under Early Start CT. Such sliding scale
shall be based on family income and be consistent with the sliding fee
scale used in the child care subsidy program described in section 17b-
249 of the general statutes.
Sec. 29. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) Except as otherwise provided
in subsection (b) of this section, for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025,
and each fiscal year thereafter, if funds appropriated to the Office of
Early Childhood for Early Start CT are not expended by the
Commissioner of Early Childhood, an amount up to two million dollars
of such unexpended funds may be available (1) for the provision of Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 32 of 43
professional development for early care and education program
providers, and staff employed in such programs, provided such
programs are receiving financial assistance under Early Start CT for
infant, toddler and preschool slots, or (2) to support early care and
education programs in satisfying the designated qualified staff member
requirements described in section 31 of this act, provided such programs
receive financial assistance under Early Start CT. The commissioner
shall determine how such unexpended funds shall be distributed.
(b) If any unexpended funds described in subsection (a) of this section
are not expended by the office under said subsection, the commissioner,
with the consent of the Secretary of the Office of Policy and
Management, may use such unexpended funds to provide support for
purposes that include, but are not limited to, (1) assisting early care and
education programs in meeting and maintaining accreditation
requirements, (2) providing training in implementing preschool
assessments and curricula, including training to enhance literacy
teaching skills, (3) developing and implementing best practices for
parents in supporting preschool and kindergarten student learning, (4)
developing and implementing strategies for children to successfully
transition to preschool and from preschool to kindergarten, including
through parental engagement and whole-family supports that may be
utilized through the two-generational initiative, established pursuant to
section 17b-112l of the general statutes, or through other available
resources, and (5) providing for professional development.
Sec. 30. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) Any early care and education
program receiving financial assistance under Early Start CT, including,
but not limited to, licensed family child care homes, group child care
homes, child care centers and other licensed exempt child care providers
and settings, shall be accredited not later than three years after entering
into a contract with the Office of Early Childhood under Early Start CT
pursuant to section 26 of this act. Any such program that is not Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 33 of 43
accredited shall have an approved program plan not later than twelve
months after entering into a contract with the office.
Sec. 31. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) As used in this section:
(1) "Office of Early Childhood funded early care and education
program" means an early care and education program that accepts state
funds directly from the office or indirectly through office
subcontractors, for any combination of infant, toddler, preschool and
before and after school, but does not include the child care subsidy
program established pursuant to section 17b-749 of the general statutes.
(2) "Designated staff member" means the person assigned the
primary responsibility for a classroom of children in an Office of Early
Childhood funded early care and education program.
(3) "Designated qualified staff member" means a designated staff
member who possesses at least one of the following:
(A) A bachelor's degree or higher with a concentration in early
childhood education from an institution of higher education that is (i)
regionally accredited and accredited by the National Association for the
Education of Young Children, (ii) regionally accredited and working
toward achieving accreditation from the National Association for the
Education of Young Children, or (iii) regionally accredited;
(B) A certificate issued pursuant to section 10-145b of the general
statutes with an endorsement in early childhood education or early
childhood special education;
(C) Deemed to meet the bachelor's degree requirements by the office
without a concentration in early childhood education, but with at least
twelve early childhood credits from an institution of higher education
that is regionally accredited; Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 34 of 43
(D) A bachelor's degree from an institution of higher education that
is regionally accredited, without a concentration in early childhood
education, but with at least twelve applicable early childhood credits as
determined by the office;
(E) Permission from the office if such designated staff member is
enrolled in an institution of higher education and engaged in and
making progress in an early childhood planned program of study
leading to an early childhood bachelor's degree.
(b) When a bachelor's degree designated qualified staff member is not
assigned, a person may be deemed a designated qualified staff member
if such person possesses at least one of the qualifications included in
subsection (c) of this section and is under the supervision of an on-site
bachelor's degree designated qualified staff member, except any family
child care home provider that accepts state funds shall meet the
designated qualified staff member qualifications.
(c) When a bachelor's degree designated qualified staff member
supervises an associate degree designated qualified staff member, the
person possessing a bachelor's degree may supervise such associate
degree designated qualified staff member at an off-site location. The
associate degree designated qualified staff member, under the
supervision of a bachelor's degree qualified staff member, shall possess
at least one of the following:
(1) An associate degree or higher with a concentration in early
childhood education from an institution of higher education that is (i)
regionally accredited and accredited by the National Association for the
Education of Young Children, (ii) regionally accredited and working
toward achieving accreditation from the National Association for the
Education of Young Children, or (iii) regionally accredited;
(2) Deemed to meet the associate degree requirements by the office Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 35 of 43
without a concentration in early childhood education, but with at least
twelve early childhood credits from an institution of higher education
that is regionally accredited;
(3) An associate degree from an institution of higher education that is
regionally accredited, without a concentration in early childhood
education, but with at least twelve applicable early childhood credits as
determined by the office;
(4) Permission from the office if such associate degree designated
qualified staff member is enrolled in an institution of higher education
and engaged in an early childhood planned program of study leading
to an early childhood associate degree.
(d) (1) From July 1, 2024, to June 30, 2027, inclusive, twenty-five per
cent of the designated staff members at each Office of Early Childhood
funded early childhood education program shall be designated
qualified staff members meeting one of the criteria at the bachelor's
degree level. If the Office of Early Childhood funded early care and
education program is a family child care home, the designated qualified
staff member for such family child care home shall have achieved or be
working toward an early childhood associate degree or bachelor's
degree.
(2) From July 1, 2027, to June 30, 2030, inclusive, fifty per cent of the
designated qualified members at each Office of Early Childhood funded
early childhood education program shall be designated qualified staff
members meeting one of the criteria at the bachelor's degree level. If the
Office of Early Childhood funded early care and education program is
a family child care home, the designated qualified staff member for such
family child care home shall have achieved or be working toward an
early childhood associate degree or bachelor's degree.
(3) On and after July 1, 2030, sixty per cent of the designated qualified Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 36 of 43
members at each Office of Early Childhood funded child care program
shall be designated qualified staff members meeting one of the criteria
at the bachelor's degree level. If the Office of Early Childhood funded
early care and education program is a family child care home, the
designated qualified staff member for such family child care home shall
have achieved or be working toward an early childhood associate
degree or bachelor's degree.
Sec. 32. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2025) (a) As part of Early Start CT, the
Commissioner of Early Childhood shall establish a state-funded
competitive program in which contracts are entered into with nonprofit
agencies and local and regional boards of education, which are federal
Head Start grant recipients, to assist in (1) establishing extended-day
and full-day, year-round, Head Start programs or expanding existing
Head Start programs to extended-day or full-day, year-round
programs, (2) enhancing program quality, (3) increasing the number of
children served in those programs that are both Head Start and Early
Head Start grant recipients or delegates, (4) increasing the number of
Early Head Start children served above those who are federally funded,
and (5) increasing the hours for children currently receiving Early Head
Start services. Nonprofit agencies or boards of education seeking
contracts pursuant to this section shall make application to the
commissioner on such forms and at such times as the commissioner
shall prescribe. The commissioner shall include contract provisions that
mandate at least twenty-five per cent of the funding for such contracts
shall be for the purpose of enhancing program quality. All contracts
entered into under this section shall be funded within the limits of
available appropriations or otherwise from federal funds and private
donations. All Head Start programs funded pursuant to this section
shall be in compliance with federal Head Start program performance
standards.
Sec. 33. (NEW) (Effective from passage) (a) The Commissioner of Early Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 37 of 43
Childhood shall implement policies and procedures necessary to (1)
administer the provisions of sections 24 to 32, inclusive, of this act, (2)
implement infant and toddler and school-age ratios and group size
requirements, and (3) implement head teacher staffing requirements for
programs that serve only school-age children, while in the process of
adopting such policies and procedures in regulation form.
(b) Any existing regulations relating to infant and toddler and school-
age ratios, group size requirements and head teacher staffing
requirements for programs that serve only school-age children that are
generally applicable to child care centers and group child care homes
shall continue to be applicable to such centers and homes that serve
infants and toddlers and school-age children until replaced and
superseded by the policies and procedures described in this section.
(c) The commissioner shall post notice of the intent to adopt
regulations on the department's Internet web site and the eRegulations
System not later than twenty days after the date of implementation of
such policies and procedures. Such policies and procedures shall be
valid until the time final regulations are adopted.
Sec. 34. (NEW) (Effective July 1, 2024) Notwithstanding the provisions
of sections 4-98, 4-212 to 4-219, inclusive, 4a-51 and 4a-57 of the general
statutes, the Commissioner of Early Childhood may, within available
appropriations, allocate funds to regional educational service centers for
the provision of professional development services, technical assistance
and evaluation and program planning and implementation activities,
local and regional boards of education, child care centers, group child
care homes and family child care homes, as such terms are described in
section 19a-77 of the general statutes, and other early childhood care and
education entities, as determined by the commissioner. Any funds
allocated by the commissioner under this section shall be expended in
accordance with procedures and conditions prescribed by the
commissioner. Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 38 of 43
Sec. 35. (Effective July 1, 2024) (a) For the fiscal year ending June 30,
2025, the office may pay, in an individual contract entered into under
sections 8-210, as amended by this act, and 10-16p of the general
statutes, or a grant awarded pursuant to section 10-16n of the general
statutes, as amended by this act, a per-child rate or an amount per
classroom that has been determined by the commissioner. (1) The per-
child rate paid by the office under this section for each eligible child
enrolled in a program under Early Start CT who is three or four years of
age and each child who is five years of age and not eligible to enroll in
school, pursuant to section 10-15c of the general statutes, shall be at least
ten thousand five hundred dollars for each such child. The amount per
classroom for such children described in this subdivision shall be at an
equivalent rate per child multiplied by the total capacity of the
classroom as determined by the commissioner on a case by case basis
and established in the contract. (2) The per-child rate paid by the office
under this section for each eligible child enrolled in a program under
Early Start CT who is under the age of three and enrolled in an infant or
toddler classroom and not in a preschool classroom shall be at least
thirteen thousand five hundred dollars for each such child. The amount
per classroom for such children described in this subdivision shall be at
an equivalent rate per child multiplied by the total capacity of the
classroom as determined by the commissioner on a case by case basis
and established in the contract.
(b) For purposes of implementing the provisions of this section, the
commissioner shall develop policies and procedures governing
classroom sizes, payments and required enrollment rates. The
commissioner shall use data-driven, outcomes-based contract
provisions to facilitate and incentivize full enrollment.
Sec. 36. Subsection (b) of section 8-210 of the 2024 supplement to the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024): Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 39 of 43
(b) The state, acting by and in the discretion of the Commissioner of
Early Childhood, may enter into a contract with a municipality, a group
child care home or family child care home, as described in section 19a-
77, a human resource development agency or a nonprofit corporation
for state financial assistance in developing and operating child care
centers, group child care homes and family child care homes for
children disadvantaged by reasons of economic, social or environmental
conditions, provided no such financial assistance shall be available for
the operating costs of any such child care center, group child care home
or family child care home unless it has been licensed by the
Commissioner of Early Childhood pursuant to section 19a-80. Such
financial assistance shall be available for a program of a municipality, of
a group child care home or family child care home, of a human resource
development agency or of a nonprofit corporation which may provide
for personnel, equipment, supplies, activities, program materials and
renovation and remodeling of the physical facilities of such child care
centers, group child care homes or family child care homes. Such
contract shall provide for state financial assistance, within available
appropriations, in the form of a state grant-in-aid (1) for a portion of the
cost of such program, as determined by the Commissioner of Early
Childhood, if not federally assisted, (2) equal to one-half of the amount
by which the net cost of such program, as approved by the
Commissioner of Early Childhood, exceeds the federal grant-in-aid
thereof, or (3) (A) for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2024, in an amount
not less than [(A)] (i) the per child cost as described in subdivision (1) of
subsection (b) of section 10-16q, as amended by this act, for each child
in such program that is three or four years of age and each child that is
five years of age who is not eligible to enroll in school, pursuant to
section 10-15c, while maintaining services to children under three years
of age under this section, and [(B)] (ii) thirteen thousand five hundred
dollars for each child three years of age or under who is in infant or
toddler care and not in a preschool program, and (B) for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2025, in accordance with the provisions of section 35 of Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 40 of 43
this act. Any such contract entered into on or after July 1, 2022, shall
include a provision that at least sixty per cent of the children enrolled in
such child care center, group child care home or family child care home
are members of families who are at or below seventy-five per cent of the
state median income. The Commissioner of Early Childhood may
authorize child care centers, group child care homes and family child
care homes receiving financial assistance under this subsection to apply
a program surplus to the next program year. The Commissioner of Early
Childhood shall consult with directors of child care centers in
establishing fees for the operation of such centers. For the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2023, the Commissioner of Early Childhood shall,
within available appropriations, enter into contracts under this section
for the purpose of expanding the number of spaces available to children
three years of age or under who are in infant or toddler care and not in
a preschool program.
Sec. 37. Subdivision (1) of subsection (b) of section 10-16q of the 2024
supplement to the general statutes is repealed and the following is
substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(b) (1) For the fiscal year ending June 30, 2020, the per child cost of
the Office of Early Childhood school readiness program offered by a
school readiness provider shall not exceed eight thousand nine hundred
twenty-seven dollars. For the fiscal years ending June 30, 2021, to June
30, 2024, inclusive, the per child cost of the Office of Early Childhood
school readiness program offered by a school readiness provider shall
not exceed nine thousand twenty-seven dollars. For the fiscal year
ending June 30, 2025, the per child cost of the Office of Early Childhood
full-time school readiness program offered by a school readiness
provider shall [not exceed ten thousand five hundred dollars] be in
accordance with the provisions of section 35 of this act.
Sec. 38. Subsection (b) of section 10-16n of the general statutes is
repealed and the following is substituted in lieu thereof (Effective July 1, Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 41 of 43
2024):
(b) The Office of Early Childhood shall annually allocate to each town
in which the number of children under the temporary family assistance
program, as defined in subdivision (17) of section 10-262f, equals or
exceeds nine hundred children, (1) determined for the fiscal [year] years
ending June 30, 1996, to June 30, 2024, inclusive, an amount equal to one
hundred fifty thousand dollars plus eight and one-half dollars for each
child under the temporary family assistance program, provided such
amount may be reduced proportionately so that the total amount
awarded pursuant to this subsection does not exceed two million seven
hundred thousand dollars, and (2) for the fiscal year ending June 30,
2025, an amount determined in accordance with the provisions of
section 35 of this act. The office shall award grants to the local and
regional boards of education for such towns and nonprofit agencies
located in such towns which meet the criteria established pursuant to
subsection (a) of this section to maintain the programs established or
expanded with funds provided pursuant to this subsection in the fiscal
years ending June 30, 1996, and June 30, 1997. Any funds remaining in
the allocation to such a town after grants are so awarded shall be used
to increase allocations to other such towns. Any funds remaining after
grants are so awarded to boards of education and nonprofit agencies in
all such towns shall be available to local and regional boards of
education and nonprofit agencies in other towns in the state for grants
for such purposes.
Sec. 39. Subsection (l) of section 19a-87b of the 2024 supplement to the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(l) For the fiscal [years] year ending June 30, 2022, [to June 30, 2026,
inclusive] and each fiscal year thereafter, the Commissioner of Early
Childhood may issue a license to maintain a family child care home [in
New Britain, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, Hartford, Danbury or Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 42 of 43
Waterbury] anywhere in the state in accordance with the provisions of
this chapter to a person or group of persons who have partnered with
an association, organization, corporation, institution or agency, public
or private, to provide child care services in a space provided by such
association, organization, corporation, institution or agency, provided
such space has been approved by the commissioner and is not in a
private family home. The commissioner shall not approve more than
twenty facilities throughout the state to be used for licenses issued
under this subsection. The commissioner may approve more than one
facility in each [such] city or town to be used for licenses issued under
this subsection. An application for a license under this subsection shall
include a copy of the current fire marshal certificate of compliance with
the Fire Safety Code, and written verification of compliance with the
State Building Code, local zoning and building requirements and local
health ordinances. The commissioner may require an applicant for a
license under this subsection to comply with additional conditions
relating to the health and safety of the children who will be served in
such facility. The commissioner may waive any requirement that does
not apply to such facility. Any license issued under this subsection shall
[expire on June 30, 2026] be for a term of four years, except that the
commissioner may suspend or revoke any such license at any time in
accordance with the provisions of section 19a-87e.
Sec. 40. Subsection (a) of section 10-506 of the 2024 supplement to the
general statutes is repealed and the following is substituted in lieu
thereof (Effective July 1, 2024):
(a) For the fiscal year ending June 30, [2015] 2025, and each fiscal year
thereafter, the Office of Early Childhood, in consultation with the
Department of Education, shall design and administer the Connecticut
Smart Start competitive grant program to provide grants to local and
regional boards of education for capital and operating expenses related
to establishing or expanding a preschool program under the jurisdiction Substitute Senate Bill No. 14
Public Act No. 24-78 43 of 43
of the board of education for the town. A local or regional board of
education may submit an application to the office, in accordance with
the provisions of subsection (b) of this section, and may receive (1) a
grant for capital expenses in an amount not to exceed seventy-five
thousand dollars per classroom for costs related to the renovation of an
existing public school to accommodate the establishment or expansion
of a preschool program, and (2) an annual grant for operating expenses
(A) in an amount not to exceed five thousand dollars per child served
by such grant, or (B) in an amount not to exceed seventy-five thousand
dollars for each preschool classroom. [, provided no town shall receive
a total annual grant for operating expenses greater than three hundred
thousand dollars.] Each local or regional board of education that
establishes or expands a preschool program under this section shall be
eligible to receive an annual grant for operating expenses for a period of
five years, provided such preschool program meets standards
established by the Commissioner of Early Childhood. Such local or
regional board of education may submit an application for renewal of
such grant to the office.
Sec. 41. Sections 8-210, 10-16n to 10-16r, inclusive, 10-16t, 10-16u, 10-
16aa, 10-520b, 17b-749a and 17b-749d of the general statutes are
repealed. (Effective July 1, 2025)