COMMITTEE SUBSTITUTE
FOR
H. B. 4065
(By Mr. Speaker, Mr. Kiss, and Delegate TrumpDelegates Name)
[By Request of the Executive]
(Originating in the Committee on CommitteeEducation)
[February 20Month and Day, 2002]
A BILL to amend article twenty-six, chapter fiveBill Title of the code of
West Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as
amended, by adding thereto a new section, designated section
seven, relating to a comprehensive study of early childhood
care and education services; making certain findings and
expressing intent of section; providing for commission on
early childhood care and education; specifying duties and
reporting. Title Language
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That article twenty-six, chapter fiveBill TitleEnacting Section of the code of West
Virginia, one thousand nine hundred thirty-one, as amended, be
amended by adding thereto a new section, designated section seven, to read as follows:
ARTICLE 26. GOVERNOR'S CABINET ON CHILDREN AND FAMILIES.
§5-26-7. Comprehensive study of early childhood care and education
services.
(a) The Legislature finds that recent research on brain
development shows a clear link between the quality of early
childhood care and educational experiences and the future social,
emotional, physical and cognitive development of children,
resulting in improved high school completion, post-secondary
attainment and workforce participation. The Legislature further
finds that early childhood care and education services in the state
are currently being provided through diverse sources, including,
but not limited to, parents and family members, regulated and
unregulated private day care providers, employer supported day
care, family literacy programs, head start, even start and public
school preschool programs, which derive funds through a variety of
means. Therefore, it is the intent of this section to establish a
comprehensive body of knowledge that will enable policy-makers to
make informed decisions on the development and implementation of
systematic improvements in early childhood care and education
services to meet the diverse needs of children and families in the state.
(b) There is hereby established a commission on early
childhood care and education comprised of fifteen members as
follows: The executive director of the governor's cabinet on
children and families, who shall chair the commission; the
secretary of health and human resources; the state superintendent
of schools; the president of the West Virginia head start
association; the chair of the governor's council on literacy; five
members of the Senate, appointed by the President; and five members
of the House of Delegates, appointed by the Speaker. Members of
the commission who are not state employees or legislative members
shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses from appropriations
to the governor's cabinet on children and families. The other
members shall be entitled to reimbursement for expenses in
accordance with the rules of their respective agencies or bodies,
including the rules for legislative compensation. The commission
shall utilize existing staff of the governor's cabinet on children
and families and other represented agencies.
(c) The commission shall meet at the capitol during the
legislative interims and may meet at such other times as it deems
necessary. The commission shall develop an index of all early childhood care and education programs in the state, their governing
or ownership structure, type of services offered, primary clientele
and sources of funding. The commission shall conduct research on
the success of various approaches to improving the quality of early
childhood care and education services and shall develop a strategic
plan for improving said services in the state, which plan shall
address the following goals: Maximizing the use of federal funds
before state funds are spent; emphasizing collaboration to limit
unnecessary duplication and administrative costs; strengthening
public and private sector partnerships; developing a single point
of contact and referral for quality early childhood care and
education information and programs; and building the capacity of
parents and primary care-takers to provide quality early childhood
care and educational experiences for their children.
(d) The commission on early childhood care and education shall
submit a report of its findings and recommendations to the joint
standing committees on finance and education during the January,
two thousand three, legislative interims and shall make such status
reports to any subcommittees of these committees as may be
requested prior to said date.
§5-26-7 is new; therefore, strike-throughs and underscoring
have been omitted.