The General Assembly Raised Bill No. 6899 aims to establish pay equity for early childhood educators through a salary enhancement grant program administered by the Office of Early Childhood, effective July 1, 2025. The bill introduces new definitions related to early childhood education, such as "compensation schedule," "early childhood care and education program," and "employee." It mandates that starting in the fiscal year ending June 30, 2026, the Office will provide salary enhancement grants based on a calculated amount, with specific grants for family child care homes. The bill also repeals and replaces existing legal language in section 10-531, removing previous staff qualification requirements and focusing on a compensation schedule that considers education, training, and experience.

Additionally, the bill requires a report by January 1, 2026, detailing recommendations for a state-wide compensation schedule for early childhood educators, including cost estimates and its impact on preschool seat availability. The new legal language emphasizes the development and implementation of this compensation schedule while deleting outdated provisions. Overall, the bill seeks to enhance financial support for early childhood educators in Connecticut, potentially improving the quality of early childhood education in the state.

Statutes affected:
Raised Bill: 10-531