Raised Bill No. 1098 Summary

• Office of Early Childhood shall provide grants to fund pediatric early literacy programs in alliance districts, effective July 1, 2021

• Programs must include a two-part model: training healthcare providers to encourage parents to read aloud during well-child visits, and providing new children's books to each child ages 6 months to 5 years

• Programs must demonstrate effectiveness in peer-reviewed journals for improving parent reading behavior and children's expressive and receptive language, and be endorsed by nationally recognized medical associations

• Grant recipients must provide matching funds from private contributions equal to at least 50 percent of the grant, up to $500,000

• State Bond Commission authorized to issue up to $2 million in bonds ($1 million effective July 1, 2021 and $1 million effective July 1, 2022) to fund the programs, with bonds maturing within 20 years