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, separate from state agency funds. The endowment will receive contributions from various sources, including state surpluses, with a maximum transfer of $300 million for the fiscal year ending June 30, 2025. The bill outlines that the Commissioner of Early Childhood can expend these funds for programs meeting specific criteria, including a requirement for at least 35% of spaces to be for infants and toddlers. Additionally, it sets family contribution rates for child care services based on income, ensuring families earning less than $100,000 are not financially responsible for these costs.

The bill also introduces the Early Childhood Education Endowment Advisory Board to oversee fund administration and assess outcomes, while mandating an impact analysis by the Commissioner of Early Childhood every five years. Furthermore, it includes provisions for the management and investment of the endowment, allowing the Treasurer to receive and invest funds, and mandates a study on health insurance coverage for early care employees. The bill repeals outdated language from current law and introduces new provisions to enhance support for special education services, including a competitive grant program for special education programming, and establishes the Office of the Educational Ombudsperson to assist families with educational issues. Overall, the bill aims to improve early childhood education and special education services 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