Senate Bill 2572 Summary

• Establishes an Office of Early Childhood within the State Department of Education headed by a Director appointed by the Governor with Senate confirmation to coordinate and integrate child care and early childhood education programs across the state.

• Assigns the Office broad duties including developing an early childhood information system, creating an accountability plan, implementing a statewide kindergarten assessment tool, establishing quality rating systems, managing licensing, and providing professional development for early childhood providers.

• Transfers authority to adopt comprehensive early learning standards from the State Board of Education to the newly created Office of Early Childhood.

• Amends the Early Learning Collaborative Act to require the State Department of Education to consult with the Office of Early Childhood when administering the voluntary prekindergarten program and establishing related policies and procedures.

• Amends child care licensing regulations to require the licensing agency to consult with the Office of Early Childhood when promulgating rules and regulations for child care facilities; effective July 1, 2020.