MN HF3954

Changes the baseline year for Head Start program funding guarantees from fiscal year 1993 to fiscal year 2020, ensuring each program receives no less funding than it received in fiscal year 2020.

Increases Head Start program appropriations from $25,100,000 to $29,600,000 for fiscal year 2021, with the base for fiscal year 2022 returning to $25,100,000.

Exempts Head Start programs with approved innovative initiatives targeting high-risk populations (including homeless families and those in transitional or permanent supportive housing) from underenrollment reduction procedures.

Requires the commissioner of education to develop payment procedures based on actual enrollment numbers, with financial consequences for programs with chronic underenrollment and proportional allocation reductions for subsequent years.

Redistributes funding from underenrolled programs to fully enrolled Head Start programs based on procedures established by the department.