Substitute Senate Bill No. 5, known as Public Act No. 24-74, is a comprehensive piece of legislation that addresses various aspects of school resources and educational programs in the state. The bill includes significant changes to the child care subsidy program, such as expanding eligibility to families with a parent or caretaker who is working, attending high school, or enrolled in educational or job training programs, as well as parents or legal guardians of children enrolled in Medicaid. The Commissioner of Early Childhood is tasked with establishing income standards for applicants, prioritizing certain groups for program intake, and implementing health and safety standards for unlicensed providers. Additionally, the bill mandates a waiting list system for the subsidy program and outlines a reimbursement system, rate review process, and administrative appeals process.

The legislation also revises school enrollment programs and educational grants, allowing for inter-district attendance with a focus on maintaining diversity. It establishes a pilot program for students in Danbury and Norwalk to attend schools in neighboring towns, with reciprocal provisions. Financial adjustments are made to grants for receiving districts, and a memorandum of understanding is required for sharing Medicaid enrollment data. The bill extends the wholesome school meals pilot program and updates reporting deadlines. Furthermore, the bill sets up a working group to study indoor air quality in school buildings, detailing its composition, responsibilities, and reporting requirements. It extends the deadlines for the working group's reporting and the termination date, and revises HVAC system inspection requirements, including public disclosure of inspection results and compliance as a condition for receiving certain grants.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 10-231e
ED Joint Favorable Substitute: 10-231e
File No. 201: 10-231e