HB 6558 — AN ACT CONCERNING ISSUES RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SERVICES IN CONNECTICUT.

6558 (4) One appointed by the majority leader of the Senate, who is an operator of a family child care home or a representative of an organization that represents or supports the interests of family child care homes;

sHB6558(9) /The Filecochairs No.of the Connecticut Consortium for the Advancement of Early Childhood Educators;

774 sHB6558 File No.

774 (9) The cochairs of the Connecticut Consortium for the Advancement of Early Childhood Educators;

Such chairpersons shall schedule the first meeting of the task force, which shall be held not later than sixty days afterPublic theAct effectiveNo. date of this section.

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6558 after the effective date of this section.

(a) The Commissioner of Early Childhood shall establish and operate a child care subsidy program to increase the availability, affordability and quality of child care services for families with a parent or caretaker sHB6558who /(1) Fileis No.(A) working or attending high school, or (B) subject to the provisions of subsection (d) of this section, is enrolled or participating in (i) a public or independent institution of higher education, (ii) a private occupational school authorized pursuant to sections 10a-22a to 10a-22o, inclusive, (iii) a job training or employment program administered by a regional workforce development board, (iv) an apprenticeship program administered by the Labor Department's office ofapprenticeshiptraining,(v)analternateroutetocertificationprogram approved by the State Board of Education, (vi) an adult education program pursuant to section 10-69 or other high school equivalency program, or (vii) a local Even Start program or other adult education program approved by the Commissioner of Early Childhood;

774or sHB6558(2) Filereceives cash assistance under the temporary family assistance program from the Department of Social Services and is participating in an Public Act No.

77421-171 who10 (1) is (A) working or attending high school, or (B) subject to the provisions of subsection14 (d)Substitute ofHouse thisBill section,No. is enrolled or participating in (i) a public or independent institution of higher education, (ii) a private occupational school authorized pursuant to sections 10a-22a to 10a-22o, inclusive, (iii) a job training or employment program administered by a regional workforce development board, (iv) an apprenticeship program administered by the Labor Department's office ofapprenticeshiptraining,(v)analternateroutetocertification program approved by the State Board of Education, (vi) an adult education program pursuant to section 10-69 or other high school equivalency program, or (vii) a local Even Start program or other adult education program approved by the Commissioner of Early Childhood;

or6558 (2) receives cash assistance under the temporary family assistance program from the Department of Social Services and is participating in an education, training or other job preparation activity approved pursuant to subsection (b) of section 17b-688i or subsection (b) of section 17b- 689d.

(b) The commissioner shall establish income standards for applicants and recipients at a level to include a family with gross income up to fifty per cent of the state-wide median income, except the commissioner (1) sHB6558may /increase Filethe No.income level up to the maximum level allowed under federal law, (2) upon the request of the Commissioner of Children and Families, may waive the income standards for adoptive families so that children adopted on or after October 1, 1999, from the Department of Children and Families are eligible for the child care subsidy program, and (3) on and after March 1, 2003, shall reduce the income eligibility level to up to fifty-five per cent of the state-wide median income for applicants and recipients who qualify based on their loss of eligibility for temporary family assistance.

774 sHB6558 File No.

774 may increase the income level up to the maximum level allowed under federal law, (2) upon the request of the Commissioner of Children and Families, may waive the income standards for adoptive families so that children adopted on or after October 1, 1999, from the Department of Children and Families are eligible for the child care subsidy program, and (3) on and after March 1, 2003, shall reduce the income eligibility level to up to fifty-five per cent of the state-wide median income for applicants and recipients who qualify based on their loss of eligibility for temporary family assistance.

(c)Public TheAct commissioner,No. in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services, shall establish eligibility and program standards including, but not limited to:

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6558 (c) The commissioner, in consultation with the Commissioner of Social Services, shall establish eligibility and program standards including, but not limited to:

(3) a reimbursement system for child care services which account for sHB6558differences /in Filethe No.age of the child, number of children in the family, the geographic region andtypeof care providedby licensed and unlicensed caregivers, the cost and type of services provided by licensed and unlicensed caregivers, successful completion of fifteen hours of annual in-service training or credentialing of child care directors and administrators, and program accreditation;

774 sHB6558 File No.

774 differences in the age of the child, number of children in the family, the geographic region andtypeof care providedby licensed and unlicensed caregivers, the cost and type of services provided by licensed and unlicensed caregivers, successful completion of fifteen hours of annual in-service training or credentialing of child care directors and administrators, and program accreditation;

(6) a sliding reimbursement scale for participatingPublic families;Act No.

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6558 participating families;

(d) Not later than July 1, 2015, an applicant determined to be eligible for program benefits by the Commissioner of Early Childhood shall remain eligible for such benefits for a period prescribed by federal law, except any applicant determined to be eligible for program benefits by the commissioner under subparagraph (B) of subdivision (1) of subsection (a) of this section shall only be eligible for and receive such benefits upon the availability of federal funds received pursuant to sHB6558Coronavirus /Response Fileand No.Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, P.L.

774 sHB6558 File No.

774 Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, P.L.

(NEW) (g)For thefiscalyearsending June 30, 2022, and JuneJune30, 30, 2023, thePublic OfficeAct ofNo. Early Childhood shall permit any family that meets the eligibility requirements described in subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 17b-749, as amended by this act, or subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 17b-749, as amended by this act, to participate in a program provided at a state-contracted child care center under this section.

This21-171 act13 shallof take14 effectSubstitute asHouse followsBill andNo. shall amend the following sections:

Section6558 1the JulyOffice 1,of 2021Early 19a-87bChildhood Sec.shall permit any family that meets the eligibility requirements described in subdivision (1) or (2) of subsection (a) of section 17b-749, as amended by this act, or subdivision (2) of subsection (d) of section 17b-749, as amended by this act, to participate in a program provided at a state-contracted child care center under this section.

2Approved July 1,12, 2021 NewPublic sectionAct Sec.No.

321-171 July14 1,of 202114 17b-749(a) to (d) Sec.

4 July 1, 2021 8-210 sHB6558 / File No.

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774 The following Fiscal Impact Statement and Bill Analysis are prepared for the benefit of the members of the General Assembly, solely for purposes of information, summarization and explanation and do not represent the intent of the General Assembly or either chamber thereof for any purpose.

In general, fiscal impacts are based upon a variety of informational sources, including the analyst’s professional knowledge.

Whenever applicable, agency data is consulted as part of the analysis, however final products do not necessarily reflect an assessment from any specific department.

OFA Fiscal Note State Impact:

See Below Municipal Impact:

None Explanation The bill results in a cost to the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) associated with expanding eligibility for the Care4kids program to parents and caretakers participating in various higher education, job training, and adult education programs.

The bill also specifies those qualifying under these provisions can participate in a program provided at a state-contracted child care center.

The extent of the cost depends on the number of qualifying participants and subsidy amount paid under the program.

The bill specifies that individuals are only eligible under the expansion if certain federal funds are designated for such benefits, and therefore does not require the expenditure of state funds.

The bill also allows the OEC to issue a family child care home license to provide care in a space outside a private family home from FY 22 through FY 26.

The bill limits the issuance of the license to one facility per city in New Britain, New Haven, Bridgeport, Stamford, Hartford, Danbury or Waterbury.

Thisisnot anticipated to result inafiscal impact as it does not expand eligibility for state-subsidized childcare, and OEC has the expertise necessary to meet related licensing requirements.

The bill establishes a task force to analyze and make recommendations on issues related to early childhood workforce development needs in the state, which is not anticipated to result in a sHB6558 / File No.

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774 fiscal impact.

The task force must report and terminate by January 1, 2023.

House "A" expands Care4Kids eligibility pending the designation of federal funds to support such benefits.

The amendment makes other technical and conforming changes that have no fiscal impact.

The Out Years The annualized ongoing fiscal impact identified above would continue into the future subject to the designation of federal funds.

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774 OLR Bill Analysis sHB 6558 (as amended by House “A”)* AN ACT CONCERNING ISSUES RELATING TO THE PROVISION OF EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION AND SERVICES IN CONNECTICUT.

SUMMARY This bill allows the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) commissioner to issue up to seven family child care home licenses to a person or group of people who provide child care services in a commissioner-approved space providedthroughapartnershipwithanassociation,organization, corporation, institution, or public or private agency (§ 1).

Under current law, family child care home licenses are for child care services provided in the licensee’s private home.

The bill also does the following:

1.

allows family child care home licensees to use an OEC-approved substitute staff member to provide more than an hour of child care under specific circumstances (§ 1), 2.

creates a 13-member early childhood workforce development needs task force (§ 2), 3.

expands eligibility for Care 4 Kids child care subsidies to include people enrolled or participating in certain postsecondary education and workforce training programs (§ 3), 4.

requires the OEC commissioner to add new categories of parents and caretakers to the list of people who must receive preference in the Care 4 Kids priority intake and eligibility system (§ 3), and 5.

requires OEC to allow Care 4 Kids-eligible families to participate sHB6558 / File No.

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774 in a state-contracted child care center program in FYs 22 and 23 (§ 4).

*House Amendment “A” (1) adds Danbury to the list of municipalities where the OEC commissioner may issue a family child care home license to a partnership between a child care provider and space provider, (2) adds the provisions about the use of substitute staff in family child care homes, (3) adds the provisions about Care 4 Kids eligibility and participant access to state-contracted child care centers, and (4) makes technical changes.

EFFECTIVE DATE:

July 1, 2021 § 1 — FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME LICENSE License Terms and Applicant Eligibility These licenses must be issued in accordance with existing law (unless otherwise specified under the bill) and may be issued in FYs 22-26 for up to one space in each of the following cities:

Bridgeport, Danbury, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, Stamford, or Waterbury.

They expire on June 30, 2026, subject to the commissioner’s authority to suspend or revoke them under the law (see BACKGROUND).

Application Process The bill requires prospective licensees for the seven family child care home licenses to submit the following items as part of their licensure application:

(1) a copy of the current fire marshal certificate of compliance with the Fire Safety Code and (2) written verification of compliance with the State Building Code, local zoning and building requirements, and local health ordinances.

Additionally, the bill allows the OEC commissioner to (1) require applicants to comply with additional conditions related to the health and safety of children to be served in these facilities and (2) waive any requirement that does not apply to these facilities.

§ 1 — SUBSTITUTE STAFF IN FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES The bill allows family child care home licensees to use an OEC- sHB6558 / File No.

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774 approved substitute staff member to provide child care for more than one hour while the licensee attends a medical appointment, receives medical treatment, or completes education or training.

The bill specifies that using a substitute staff member for these purposes does not constitute a transfer or franchise of the family child care home.

The licensee must (1) provide advance notice to the children’s parents and guardians about the dates and times the substitute will be providing child care and (2) continue to maintain control of day-to-day operations of the family child care home.

§ 2 — EARLY CHILDHOOD WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT TASK FORCE Scope The bill requires the task force to examine the following:

1.

ways to encourage equity-based practices in early childhood education preparation and professional development;

2.

ways to address inequity in access to employment opportunities and compensation in the early childhood workforce;

3.

the feasibility of creating a new, co-authored license that would offer multiple levels of flexibility to address the range of ages, settings, and roles in the early childhood field, including a professional continuum for assistants;

lead teachers;

generalists;

and specialists such as early interventionist, mental health, integrated special education, and rehabilitation therapies;

and 4.

workforce demands in the state related to the need for early childhood educators providing child care services for infants and toddlers to age six or eight.

Additionally, the bill requires the task force to make recommendations about the following topics:

1.

legislation for early childhood educator preparation requirements;

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774 2.

creating a new early childhood teacher license or credential jointly issued by OEC and the State Department of Education (SDE);

3.

developing a unifying framework for early childhood educator preparation, in accordance with the National Association for the Education of Young Children and the Council for Exceptional Children – Division of Early Childhood, to offer definition of levels for competencies and compensation such as (a) professional development and alternative routes for aides or classroom assistants;

(b) associate degree preparation and alternative routes for assistant teachers;

(c) bachelor’s degree preparation or post-baccalaureate work for head teachers;

(d) bachelor’s degree preparation, post-baccalaureate work, or graduate degree attainment for specialists;

and (e) alignment with competencies to address adult learners, experience in the field, as well as capacity in languages, community content, and cultural norms;

4.

methods for increasing compensation related to competency and degree attainment that will work across all sectors of the early care and education sector, including subsidized and parent fee supported programs;

and 5.

early childhood workforce development and job opportunity creation.

Membership Table 1 describes the required expertise for the13 task force members and their respective appointing authorities.

The bill allows any members appointed by legislative leaders to be General Assembly members.

Table 1:

Task Force Membership Appointing Authority Member(s) and Required Expertise House speaker Early childhood education professor at a Connecticut public higher education sHB6558 / File No.

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774 institution Representative of a school readiness program or state-funded child care center Community college faculty member Senate president pro tempore Representative of a private child care provider that is not receiving state financial assistance Representative of the Capitol Region House majority leader Education Council regional education service center Family child care home operator or representative of an organization that Senate majority leader represents or supports family child care homes Representative of the Connecticut Early House minority leader Childhood Alliance Representative of a state or national Senate minority leader early childhood accrediting organization OEC commissioner, or the N/A commissioner’s designee SDE commissioner, or the N/A commissioner’s designee Co-chairs of the Connecticut Consortium N/A for the Advancement of Early Childhood Educators State Education Resource Center N/A executive director, or the director’s designee The bill requires the above appointments to be made by July 31, 2021, and appointing authorities to fill any vacancies that may arise.

Leadership, Staff, and Meetings Under the bill, the House speaker’s and Senate president pro tempore’s appointees must serve as the task force chairpersons, and the Education Committee administrative staff must serve as task for staff.

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774 The chairpersons must schedule the first meeting by August 30, 2021.

The task force must report its findings to the Education Committee by January 1, 2023.

It must terminate on the date it submits the report or on January 1, 2023, whichever is later.

§ 3 — EXPANDED CARE 4 KIDS ELIGIBILITY The bill expands eligibility for Care 4 Kids child care subsidies to people who are enrolled or participating in any of the following:

1.

a public or private college or university, 2.

a private occupational school, 3.

a job training or employment program administered by a regional workforce development board, 4.

a Department of Labor (DOL)-administered apprenticeship program, 5.

an alternate route to certification program, 6.

an adult education program or other high school equivalency program, or 7.

a local Even Start program or other adult education program approved by the OEC commissioner.

The bill specifies that these groups are only eligible for and may receive Care 4 Kids benefits if federal COVID-19 related relief funds are available (i.e., the Coronavirus Response and Relied Supplemental Appropriations Act and the American Response Plan).

Additionally, it requires the OEC commissioner to add new categories to the list of people who must receive preference in the Care Kids priority intake and eligibility system.

The categories are parents or caretakers who are:

1.

participating in a DOL apprenticeship program, sHB6558 / File No.

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774 2.

enrolled in an adult education program or other high school equivalency program, 3.

participating in a job training or employment program administered by a regional workforce development board, or 4.

enrolled in a public or private college or university.

BACKGROUND License Suspension and Revocation The OEC commissioner may suspend or revoke a family child care home license if the family child care home’s owner or operator, an assistant or substitute staff member or employee, or any household member age 16 or older has a criminal history containing felony convictions for, among other things, (1) use of physical force, (2) risk of injury to or impairing morals of children, (3) abandonment of young children, (4) illegal drug sale or possession, (5) sexual assault, or (6) any felony where the victim is a minor (CGS § 19a-87e).

COMMITTEE ACTION Education Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Change of Reference - APP Yea 38 Nay 0 (03/15/2021) Appropriations Committee Joint Favorable Substitute Yea 50 Nay 0 (04/21/2021) sHB6558 / File No.

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