The proposed bill introduces the West Virginia Early Childhood Education Coordination Act, which aims to enhance and coordinate early childhood education and childcare services across the state. It mandates the West Virginia Department of Education and the Department of Health to work together, along with input from local school districts, Head Start programs, licensed childcare providers, and parent advocacy groups, to identify and streamline early childhood education programs, including Pre-K and Birth to Three. The goal is to improve access, affordability, and quality of these services for working families, ensuring continuity of care from birth until school entry.

Additionally, the bill establishes accountability measures by requiring both the Department of Education and the Department of Health to submit annual reports to the Legislative Oversight Commission detailing program enrollment, fiscal expenditures, child development outcomes, and areas for improvement, starting July 1, 2026. The act is set to take effect on the same date, emphasizing the importance of early childhood education in West Virginia's educational framework.

Statutes affected:
Introduced Version: 18-3A-1, 18-3A-2, 18-3A-3, 18-3A-4, 18-3A-5, 18-3A-6, 18-3A-7, 18-3A-8
Committee Substitute: 18-3A-1, 18-3A-2, 18-3A-3, 18-3A-4, 18-3A-5