MN HF2259

Establishes the early education access fund in the Department of Administration and creates a director of early education and development position appointed by the governor with senate confirmation, serving a four-year term.

Director must coordinate early education programs (school readiness, voluntary prekindergarten, early learning scholarships, and Head Start), align funding streams, manage data collection systems, and develop policies to maximize quality, access, accountability, and cost-effectiveness.

Requires children to be enrolled at least 350 hours per year in eligible programs to generate aid, with annual aid limited to the 75th percentile of the market rate survey as biennially adjusted.

Authorizes director to establish early education resource hubs statewide through contracted organizations to support family outreach, resource connection, and program choice.

Appropriates $33,683,000 for fiscal years 2018-2019 for school readiness programs, $25,100,000 for Head Start, and $1,750,000 for quality rating and improvement system; requires report by January 15, 2018 on integrating child care assistance and other early education programs.