AMENDMENT FOR PRINTED BILL
132ca

___________________ moved that SB 132 be amended as follows:


    On the printed bill, delete everything after the enacting clause and insert:

"    Section 1. That the code be amended by adding a NEW SECTION to read:

    There is hereby established the Early Learning Advisory Council consisting of twelve members appointed by the Governor. The council is established pursuant to the Improving Head Start for School Readiness Act of 2007, as amended to January 1, 2012.

    Section 2. That the code be amended by adding a NEW SECTION to read:

    The Governor shall appoint members to the Early Learning Advisory Council who have training, experience, or special knowledge of early childhood education and care. The appointees shall include one representative from each of the following:

            (1)    The Department of Education;
            (2)    The Department of Health;
            (3)    The Department of Social Services;
            (4)    The Legislature;
            (5)    A local education agency;
            (6)    An institution of higher education;
            (7)    A provider of early childhood education;
            (8)    A provider of Head Start;
            (9)    A provider of tribal Head Start;
            (10)    The state's director of Head Start collaboration;
            (11)    Parents; and
            (12)    The business community.

    Section 3. That the code be amended by adding a NEW SECTION to read:

    The council shall conduct a statewide needs assessment concerning the quality and availability of early childhood education and development programs and services for children from birth to age five, including an assessment of the availability of high quality preschool opportunities for low-income children in the state.

    Section 4. That the code be amended by adding a NEW SECTION to read:

    The Department of Education shall facilitate the work of the council and provide funding necessary to conduct the needs assessment in an amount up to twenty-five thousand dollars.

    Section 5. That the code be amended by adding a NEW SECTION to read:

    The council shall meet up to four times and report the council findings to the Legislature no later than January 8, 2019. The report shall also be available to the public."