HB 20-1053 Summary

• Requires the State Board to establish licensing standards that allow early care and education programs extended licensing periods if they employ aspiring early childhood educators pursuing state-approved credentials, provided quality and safety conditions are met.

• Directs the State Board to create rules allowing early childhood educators to earn credential points based on prior experience and demonstrated competency, including pathways for second-career and career-changing candidates.

• Requires the State Department and Department of Education to align early childhood professional credentials, educator licensing, and child care program licensing to increase consistency and support reciprocity for out-of-state qualifications.

• Establishes a statewide voluntary Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation Program to be designed and implemented by July 1, 2022, providing mental health consultation services across early care, schools, child welfare, and health care settings for children from prenatal through age 8.

• Mandates annual reporting on Colorado's qualified early childhood educator supply beginning January 31, 2022, and directs state agencies to develop resources supporting concurrent enrollment and career pathways for high school students pursuing early childhood educator credentials.