MN HF1970

Establishes a 9-member Early Care and Learning Commission with commissioners of education, human services, health, and employment and economic development, plus five governor-appointed members including at least one public school educator and one child care provider.

Commission duties include coordinating early learning scholarships, quality rating systems, voluntary prekindergarten programs, home visiting programs, Head Start funding, and child care assistance programs.

Commission may reallocate funds among early care and learning programs by adoption of a resolution with two-thirds vote, effective July 1 of the following fiscal year.

Requires Department of Education, Health, Human Services, and Employment and Economic Development to incorporate commission recommendations in administering early care and learning programs and to consult with the commission in preparing biennial budgets.

Appropriates unspecified amounts from the general fund to the commissioner of education for fiscal years 2018 and 2019 to support the Early Care and Learning Commission operations.