A bill for an act
relating to early childhood programs; establishing a task force on early care and
education affordability and workforce compensation; requiring a report;
appropriating money.
BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:
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It is the goal of the state for all families to have access to affordable,
high-quality early care and education, for children from birth up to age five, that enriches,
nurtures, and supports children and their families. The goal will be achieved by:
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(1) creating a system under which no family pays more than seven percent of its income
for early care and education;
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(2) ensuring that a child's access to high-quality early care and education is not determined
by the child's race, income, or zip code; and
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(3) increasing compensation and professional development opportunities for the early
care and education workforce.
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The
Great Start for All Minnesota Children Task Force is established to develop strategies that
will meet the goal identified in subdivision 1.
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(a) The task force shall consist of the following 19 voting
members, appointed by the governor or governor's designee, except as otherwise specified:
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(1) two members of the house of representatives, appointed first from the majority party
by the speaker of the house and second from the minority party by the minority leader. One
of the members must represent a district outside of the seven-county metropolitan area, and
one member must represent a district that includes the seven-county metropolitan area. The
appointment by the minority leader must ensure that the requirement for geographic diversity
in appointments is met;
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(2) two members of the senate, appointed first from the majority party by the majority
leader and second from the minority party by the minority leader. One of the members must
represent a district outside of the seven-county metropolitan area, and one member must
represent a district that includes the seven-county metropolitan area. The appointment by
the minority leader must ensure that the requirement for geographic diversity in appointments
is met;
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(3) one individual who is the director of a licensed child care center with at least 50
percent of its enrolled children eligible for or currently receiving public assistance for early
care and education;
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(4) two individuals who are license holders of family child care programs, one from
greater Minnesota and one from the seven-county metropolitan area;
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(5) one individual who is both a licensed early childhood teacher and a member of a
licensed early childhood educator union;
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(6) two parents of children under the age of five who are enrolled in early care and
education programs, one parent from greater Minnesota and one parent from the seven-county
metropolitan area;
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(7) one representative of an organization that organizes licensed child care centers and
employees;
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(8) one representative from the statewide child care resource and referral network, known
as Child Care Aware;
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(9) one representative of a trade organization representing the interests of licensed child
care centers;
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(10) one representative of a federally recognized tribe;
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(11) one representative from the Minnesota Association of County Social Service
Administrators;
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(12) one nationally recognized expert in early care and education financing;
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(13) one representative from an association representing business interests;
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(14) one representative of a statewide advocacy organization that supports and promotes
early childhood education and welfare; and
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(15) one representative from the Children's Cabinet.
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(b) One representative from each of the following state agencies shall serve as a nonvoting
member of the task force who participates in meetings and provides data and information
to the task force upon request:
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(1) the Department of Education;
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(2) the Department of Employment and Economic Development;
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(3) the Department of Health;
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(4) the Department of Human Services;
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(5) the Department of Labor and Industry;
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(6) the Department of Management and Budget; and
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(7) the Department of Revenue.
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(a) The governor must select a chair or cochairs for the task
force from among the voting members. The first task force meeting shall be convened by
the chair or cochairs and held no later than September 1, 2021. Thereafter, the chair or
cochairs shall convene the task force at least monthly and may convene other meetings as
necessary. The chair or cochairs shall convene meetings in a manner to allow for access
from diverse geographic locations in Minnesota.
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(b) Members of the task force shall be compensated according to Minnesota Statutes,
section 15.059, subdivision 3.
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(c) The commissioner of management and budget shall provide staff and administrative
services for the task force.
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(d) The task force shall expire upon submission of the final report required under
subdivision 9.
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(e) The duties of the task force in this section shall be transferred to an applicable state
agency if specifically authorized under law to carry out such duties.
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(f) The task force is subject to Minnesota Statutes, chapter 13D.
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(a) The task force must develop a plan to achieve the goal
outlined in subdivision 1 by 2031. The plan must incorporate strategies that:
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(1) create a system under which no family pays more than seven percent of its income
for early care and education;
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(2) ensure that a child's access to high-quality early care and education is not determined
by the child's race, income, or zip code; and
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(3) increase compensation to at least a livable wage and increase professional development
opportunities for the early care and education workforce.
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(b) Development of the strategies must incorporate or otherwise take into account the
factors identified in subdivisions 6 and 7.
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In developing the plan
under subdivision 5, the task force must:
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(1) identify the benefit mechanisms and infrastructure under which families will access
financial assistance so early care and education is affordable;
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(2) describe how the plan will be administered, including the roles for state agencies,
local government agencies, and community-based organizations;
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(3) consider how provider payment rates will be determined and updated under a seven