FL S7080

Reduces the minimum number of children each early learning coalition must serve from 2,000 to 1,700 and eliminates waivers allowing coalitions to serve fewer children; requires mergers instead.

Requires school readiness providers to administer preassessments within 45 days of enrollment and postassessments by May 30 each year, with results collected statewide to evaluate program effectiveness.

Establishes a minimum parent copayment of 10 percent of family income (replacing sliding fee scale) with waivers available on a case-by-case basis; creates new eligibility priorities favoring children from birth through 12 years old in families receiving temporary cash assistance or at-risk of abuse/neglect.

Caps administrative and quality expenditures at 18 percent of total funding with administrative costs not exceeding 4 percent; allows waivers for fiscal years 2012-2014 with documentation; requires uniform statewide payment rates by care level and provider type by July 1, 2015.

Authorizes the Office of Early Learning to investigate early learning coalitions, recipients, and providers for fraud or overpayment; establishes penalties including 3-year bans from contracting and permanent debarment for convicted providers.