Bill S.119 proposes the creation of a licensure system for early childhood educators in Vermont, establishing the Vermont Board of Early Childhood Educators, which will consist of nine members appointed by the Governor. The board will be responsible for overseeing the licensure process, including setting educational and experiential requirements for three levels of early childhood educators: Early Childhood Educator I, II, and III. The bill details the qualifications, scope of practice, and responsibilities for each licensure type, along with provisions for license renewal, fees, and unprofessional conduct. Additionally, it establishes five new permanent positions within the Office of Professional Regulation to support the licensure process and allocates $1,400,000 from the General Fund for fiscal year 2026.

The bill also includes a repeal of certain transitional licensure provisions effective July 1, 2033, and modifies existing definitions related to child care providers. The new regulations and board are set to take effect on July 1, 2025, while other sections, including those related to early childhood educators and definitions, will not be implemented until July 1, 2027. This staggered approach allows for the necessary infrastructure to be established before the later sections are enacted, ultimately aiming to enhance the professional standards and oversight of early childhood education in Vermont.

Statutes affected:
As Introduced: 3-122, 26-111, 33-3511