NC S570

The Department of Health and Human Services Division of Child Development and Early Education cannot require licensed child care facilities to undergo Environmental Rating Scale (ERS) assessments if the assessment would cause the facility to lose a star rating due to educator staffing losses that cannot be replaced within a reasonable timeframe.

When ERS assessments resume, the Division shall lower the lead teacher education requirement threshold from 75% to 50% of lead teachers for facilities to earn "education points" toward their star rating, effective through June 30, 2023.

The Division must submit a report to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services by March 30, 2023, documenting early childhood workforce development activities between June 30, 2021, and January 31, 2023.

The report must include data on new high school Early Childhood Career and Technical Pathways programs, new college courses, enrollment in certificate programs, T.E.A.C.H. Scholarship usage, WAGE$ salary supplement program availability, and educator degree attainment.

Section 1 expires six months after the Governor rescinds Executive Order No. 116; Section 2 expires June 30, 2023; remaining provisions are permanent.