Substitute Senate Bill No. 1 establishes the Early Childhood Education Endowment, effective July 1, 2025, as a state instrumentality dedicated to managing funds for early childhood education. The endowment will receive contributions from various sources, including state surpluses, and will be overseen by the Treasurer, ensuring its funds remain separate from state funds. The bill outlines financial mechanisms for transferring surplus funds from the General Fund to the endowment, with a maximum transfer of $300 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The Commissioner of Early Childhood will be authorized to expend these funds for programs that meet specific criteria, including a requirement for at least 35% of spaces to be allocated for infants and toddlers. The bill also establishes the Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board to oversee fund administration and assess outcomes related to fund usage.

In addition to provisions for early childhood education, the bill introduces measures to enhance special education services, including a competitive grant program for local and regional boards of education to improve special education programming. It mandates criminal history checks for employees in special education services and establishes the Office of the Educational Ombudsperson to assist families with educational issues. The bill also addresses chronic absenteeism by requiring the Department of Education to develop a prevention and intervention plan. Furthermore, it amends existing laws regarding student expulsion and suspension, particularly for homeless students, ensuring that their circumstances are considered before disciplinary actions are taken. Overall, the bill aims to improve educational outcomes and support for both early childhood and special education in the state.

Statutes affected:
Committee Bill: 3-13c, 10-505b, 10-227, 10-198d, 10-222, 10-248a, 10-222o, 8-265pp, 10-4q, 10-14u, 10-14y, 10-262h, 10-265h, 10-265o, 10-265p, 10-265q, 12-635
ED Joint Favorable: 3-13c, 10-505b, 10-227, 10-198d, 10-222, 10-248a, 10-222o, 8-265pp, 10-4q, 10-14u, 10-14y, 10-262h, 10-265h, 10-265o, 10-265p, 10-265q, 12-635
File No. 637: 3-13c, 10-505b, 10-227, 10-198d, 10-222, 10-248a, 10-222o, 8-265pp, 10-4q, 10-14u, 10-14y, 10-262h, 10-265h, 10-265o, 10-265p, 10-265q, 12-635
JUD Joint Favorable: 3-13c, 10-505b, 10-227, 10-198d, 10-222, 10-248a, 10-222o, 8-265pp, 10-4q, 10-14u, 10-14y, 10-262h, 10-265h, 10-265o, 10-265p, 10-265q, 12-635
APP Joint Favorable: 3-13c, 10-505b, 10-227, 10-198d, 10-222, 10-248a, 10-222o, 8-265pp, 10-4q, 10-14u, 10-14y, 10-262h, 10-265h, 10-265o, 10-265p, 10-265q, 12-635
Public Act No. 25-93: 3-13c, 10-262j, 10-232a, 10-198d, 10-222, 10-248a