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 programmatic expenses, ensuring they supplement existing funding sources. Additionally, the bill establishes the Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board to oversee fund administration and requires the Commissioner to conduct a five-year impact analysis on the endowment's effectiveness.

The bill also introduces amendments to existing laws regarding 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. Furthermore, the bill addresses the expulsion and suspension of students, particularly focusing on homeless students, and establishes a cabinet to enhance early childhood education services. Key deletions include the removal of certain existing statutes and provisions related to the Commissioner of Mental Health and Addiction Services, while new provisions are added to streamline processes and improve educational outcomes.

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