MN SF481

Establishes an early learning scholarship program overseen by the Office of Early Learning in consultation with the Minnesota Departments of Education, Human Services, and Health.

Provides scholarships to children age 3-5 whose family income is at or below 185 percent of the federal poverty level, with maximum scholarship amounts not to exceed $8,000 per child, adjusted based on program quality ratings.

Scholarship recipients may choose any rated early learning program (Head Start, school readiness programs, licensed child care centers, or licensed family child care) with priority given to three or four-star rated programs.

Requires completion of development screening within 45 days of program enrollment and reduces scholarship amount by 20 percent if child does not make one year's growth toward kindergarten readiness.

Appropriates $78,000,000 for fiscal year 2014 and $105,000,000 for fiscal year 2015, with a base appropriation of $150,000,000 for fiscal year 2016.