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 that its funds are not commingled with state funds. The bill outlines a maximum transfer of $300 million from the General Fund for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025, with subsequent transfers based on estimated surpluses. The Commissioner of Early Childhood will allocate these funds for various early care and education programs, ensuring that they supplement existing funding sources. The bill also establishes the Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board to oversee fund administration and assess outcomes, while requiring an impact analysis every five years to evaluate the endowment's effectiveness.

In addition to provisions for early childhood education, the bill introduces amendments to special education services, including a competitive grant program for local boards of education to enhance special education services and a requirement for criminal history checks for substitute teachers. It mandates that local boards of education prepare itemized cost estimates for maintaining public schools and allows for the creation of nonlapsing accounts for unexpended education funds. The bill also addresses student discipline, particularly for homeless students, ensuring that their circumstances are considered before expulsion or suspension. Overall, the bill aims to improve the quality and accessibility of early childhood and special education services in Connecticut while enhancing accountability and support systems within the educational framework.

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