SB 214-FN-A establishes a department of early childhood education in New Hampshire and creates a 3-year pilot program for high quality pre-kindergarten education. The department will coordinate efforts and programs to serve children throughout the state and will have the power to assign duties, appoint staff, and advise the governor and legislature on early learning and care. The pilot program will provide grants to selected sites to implement high quality pre-kindergarten programs, prioritizing low-income, rural, and regions with limited access to preschool. The program will be funded with $1 from the general fund, and the governor may also use discretionary funds from the American Rescue Plan Act or other federal funds. The department is required to submit a report at the end of the pilot program with recommendations for legislative action and budget requests.

The bill also establishes the Department of Early Childhood Education and provides funding for the commissioner and two additional positions. The bill will take effect on July 1, 2023.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 21-G:6-b