Substitute House Bill No. 5002, known as Public Act No. 24-91, is an act concerning early childhood care and education, which includes the revision of the establishment and management of the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund. The bill removes the language that the Comptroller shall establish the fund and instead states that the fund is established and will receive various types of payments and contributions, which are not to be considered state property or commingled with state funds. The Treasurer is responsible for investing the fund's assets. The bill also creates the Early Childhood Care and Education Fund Advisory Commission within the Legislative Department, which will review the fund's financial health, submit a five-year plan for expenditures, and make legislative recommendations. The commission will consist of appointed members, including parents and representatives from various sectors, and will be supported administratively by the General Assembly's finance, revenue, and bonding committee.

The bill also introduces the Tri-Share Child Care Matching Program in New London County, which aims to share child care costs among employers, employees, and the state. It sets up a one-time wage supplement payment program for eligible early childhood teachers and teacher assistants, with payments not considered as income for public assistance programs. Amendments to existing statutes include adding the Commissioner of Early Childhood to the list of commissioners to be notified about the use of state land for early childhood programs, developing a document on liability insurance for child care centers, and requiring the posting of developmental milestones for children up to five years old in child care centers. The bill also expands eligibility for the child care subsidy program, introduces a protective service class, and mandates the maintenance of enrollment within budgetary resources, with changes subject to public notice and a thirty-day waiting period before taking effect. The commissioner is directed to follow federal provisions to administer the subsidy program, and licensed child care centers must allow on-site early intervention services for eligible children. Finally, the bill calls for updates to the official compilation of state agency regulations and repeals certain sections of the Connecticut state agency regulations.

Statutes affected:
Public Act No. 24-91: 10-514