GREEN SHEET REDIGEST
HB 395 2019 Regular Session Steve Carter
FUNDS/FUNDING: Provides relative to a special fund for the purpose of funding early
childhood education.
DIGEST
Present law establishes the La. Early Childhood Education Fund as a special treasury fund
administered by the State Bd. of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) to award
funding to local entities for early childhood care and education through the Child Care
Assistance Program (CCAP). Provides that the fund shall be credited with appropriations,
public or private grants, or donations received by the state or the Dept. of Education for such
purpose except federal funds for the Child Care and Development Fund Program.
Present law requires that monies in the fund be awarded to BESE-approved local entities to
fund early childhood care and education projects through CCAP in Type III early learning
centers that have at least one classroom with children age 15 months or younger. Present law
requires that the local entity provide matching funds from nonstate sources at a rate of at least
two to one. Proposed law provides that federal funds may not be used as matching funds and
changes the minimum match rate to 1:1. Otherwise retains present law.
Proposed law authorizes BESE, if there is money in the fund after the board has funded every
qualifying project pursuant to present law, to award remaining monies in the fund for the
exclusive use of Type III early learning centers to provide quality care for children who are
eligible for CCAP and who are ages birth through two. Requires BESE to consider the
following in selecting recipients of such an award: the CCAP waitlist, child poverty rates,
child care needs in terms of the economic development needs of the parish where the center
is located, and increasing the availability of high quality early learning centers statewide.
Proposed amendment requires local entities to establish eligibility criteria for the early
childhood care and education quality slots financed by local funds that serve as the match for
the award. At a minimum, only children whose family income makes them economically
disadvantaged as defined by the board shall be eligible for the slots.
Present law authorizes BESE, subject to legislative appropriation, to award additional
funding in accordance with CCAP in a local entity's jurisdiction. Prohibits the award from
exceeding 50% of the nonstate funds. Proposed law removes present law.
(Amends R.S. 17:407.30(D) and (E))
Summary of Amendments Adopted by Senate
Committee Amendments Proposed by Senate Committee on Finance to the
reengrossed bill
1. Clarifies that the withdrawal of monies from the fund are subject to
legislative appropriation.
2. Requires local entities to establish eligibility criteria for the early childhood
care and education quality slots financed by local funds that serve as the
match for the award.
3. Provides at a minimum, only children whose family income makes them
economically disadvantaged as defined by the board shall be eligible for the
slots.
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Prepared by Martha Hess.