MS SB2161

Increases the second phase funding minimum from $16 million to $20 million annually, expanding from serving approximately 7,000 children through 10-15 collaboratives to serving not less than 7,000 children through 10-20 early learning collaboratives

Changes funding language from "not more than" to "not less than" for both second and third phases, establishing floor amounts rather than ceiling amounts for state appropriations

Third phase maintains the $33.95 million annual appropriation level but changes it to a minimum funding requirement rather than a maximum

Transfers authority to determine when to advance to a new program phase from the State Department of Education to the State Board of Education

Takes effect July 1, 2023, amending the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013 which provides voluntary prekindergarten programs through partnerships between public schools, Head Start, private schools, and licensed child care centers