MS SB2601

Amends Section 37-21-53 of Mississippi Code to expand the State Early Childhood Advisory Council (SECAC) duties to include coordinating among agencies serving preschool children, aligning processes, reducing duplication, and strengthening quality of state and federally funded programs.

Adds specific SECAC responsibilities including coordinating paperwork and monitoring visits, developing teacher competency standards through professional education, and implementing the Early Learning Collaborative Act of 2013.

Adds two new voting members to SECAC: a representative of the Mississippi Senate recommended by the Lieutenant Governor and a representative of the Mississippi House of Representatives recommended by the Speaker.

Takes effect July 1, 2023.