Substitute Bill No. 5346 is a legislative proposal aimed at improving early child care and education, with an effective date of July 1, 2024. The bill mandates the creation of the Early Childhood Education Fund, which will be overseen by the Comptroller and will contain any moneys required or permitted by law to be deposited, including unexpended funds from specific sections and any public or private contributions. The fund is designed to carry over unexpended funds to the next fiscal year, rather than allowing them to lapse. The bill also stipulates that the state can provide financial assistance for the development and operation of licensed child care facilities, with a focus on serving children from disadvantaged backgrounds. It changes the language from "may" to "shall" regarding the deposit of unexpended funds into the Early Childhood Education Fund, ensuring that these funds are preserved for future use.

Additionally, the bill tasks the Department of Administrative Services with conducting a study on the potential use of state property for early childhood care and education programs, housing, and adult training programs. The department is to assess state-owned buildings for repurposing and evaluate vacant state-owned real estate for development, and then report its findings to the education committee of the General Assembly by January 1, 2026. The bill includes specific effective dates for the amendments to the general statutes and has received favorable reports from both the Education Committee and the Appropriations Committee. The insertions in the bill indicate new provisions and amendments to existing law, while deletions are not explicitly mentioned in the summary provided.