The Substitute House Bill No. 6899, titled "An Act Concerning Early Educator Pay Equity," seeks to improve the compensation framework for early childhood educators in Connecticut, effective July 1, 2025. The bill mandates the Office of Early Childhood (OEC) to develop a new compensation schedule that considers factors such as education level, training, employment experience, and cost of living. It establishes a salary enhancement grant program to provide financial support to early childhood programs and family child care homes, ensuring equitable pay for educators. The bill also repeals and replaces existing language in section 10-531 of the general statutes, updating definitions and eligibility criteria while removing previous staff qualification requirements in favor of the new compensation schedule.

Furthermore, the bill outlines specific funding provisions, including annual salary enhancement grants for family child care homes, which will amount to $20,000 for each licensee, $6,000 for each full-time assistant or substitute, and $3,000 for each part-time assistant or substitute. By January 1, 2026, the OEC is required to amend the compensation schedule to include all eligible employees from a broader range of early childhood care and education programs, ensuring they receive salaries that meet or exceed the established amounts unless they are already earning more. Overall, the legislation aims to address pay equity and enhance the financial support structure for early childhood education providers in Connecticut.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-531
KID Joint Favorable Change of Reference: 10-531
ED Joint Favorable Change of Reference: 10-531
APP Joint Favorable: 10-531
File No. 859: 10-531