HB 21-1304 Summary

• Creates the Department of Early Childhood, effective July 1, 2022, with an Executive Director appointed by the Governor with Senate consent to unify Colorado's early childhood system.

• Establishes a Transition Working Group and Transition Advisory Group to develop a comprehensive transition plan by November 1, 2021, coordinating the movement of early childhood programs from existing departments (Human Services, Public Health and Environment, Education) to the new department.

• Requires development of recommendations for a new statewide, universal, voluntary preschool program to begin operating in the 2023-24 school year, incorporating existing Colorado Preschool Program funding and aligning school-based and community-based providers.

• Transfers the Early Childhood Leadership Commission to the new Department of Early Childhood to coordinate services and supports for pregnant women and children from birth to eight years old across state agencies.

• Appropriates $587,500 for fiscal year 2021-22 to the Governor's Office, $267,161 to Department of Human Services, and $96,867 to Department of Education to support the transition and implementation.